FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Derrick Henry rushed for 182 yards and a landing whereas Tennessee’s protection stymied Tom Brady and maybe ended his championship-filled New England profession with a 20-13 wild-card victory Saturday night time.
As a dense fog that shrouded Gillette Stadium for the primary half dissipated, it turned clear that the Patriots, who made the final three Super Bowls and received two, now not have been the bullies on the block. Six-time champ Brady’s contract is up and the 42-year-old quarterback might nicely be headed elsewhere, together with retirement.
Meanwhile, the Titans (10-7) are headed subsequent week to Baltimore, the league’s high group.
There was no scoring within the second half when All-Pro Brett Kern’s 58-yard punt that took up 10 seconds rolled down on the New England 1. Brady then was picked by former Patriot Logan Ryan for a 9-yard landing to complete off the Patriots (12-5), who at one level have been 8-0.
The sport’s first three possessions wound up as three lengthy scoring drives. A 29-yard display screen cross to James White arrange Nick Folk’s 36-yard subject aim, however Tennessee answered with a 75-yard march constructed round Henry. He had no position on the landing, Tannehill’s cross to a Harvard man, tight finish Anthony Firkser that made it 7-3.
New England counterpunched with its personal 75-yard drive, taking non permanent management of the sport by victimizing Tennessee’s protection on the surface. The Titans appeared gradual making an attempt to guard the flanks as Sony Michel broke off a 25-yard run and White had a 14-yarder.
Julian Edelman completed it with the primary dashing landing of his 11 professional seasons, a 5-yard sprint to the unprotected left aspect of the Tennessee D.
New England appeared primed for an additional landing after Mohamed Sanu’s 14-yard punt return arrange the Patriots on the Titans 47, and so they steadily drove to first-and-goal on the 1.
All they acquired was Folk’s 21-yard subject aim as three runs failed. It was the 13th time the Patriots had first-and-goal on the 1 in a playoff sport within the Brady period and the primary time they did not get a TD on the drive.
Tannehill led the NFL with a career-best 117.5 passer ranking and by averaging 9.6 yards per cross try. But he didn’t do a complete lot Saturday night time in his first postseason sport: Eight for 15 for 72 yards. His terrible choice to place the ball up for grabs on the primary play of the fourth quarter resulted in Duron Harmon’s interception.
But New England’s spotty assault stalled and by no means revived. That has not been uncommon through the second half of the schedule.
BIRTHDAY BOY
Henry celebrated his 26th birthday by getting probably the most dashing yards towards a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots group within the playoffs. He set an early tone by dashing for 49 of the Titans’ 75 yards on their opening landing drive. On the Titans’ second 75-yard TD march, all Henry did was acquire each yard: 22 on a display screen cross and 53 dashing, together with a 1-yard dive into the top zone for a 14-13 halftime lead. Those have been Tennessee’s first factors within the ultimate two minutes of the opening half since Week 8.
He led the NFL in dashing this season with 1,540 yards in 15 video games, the fourth-most dashing yards in franchise historical past. Henry additionally ran for 16 TDs, second most in group historical past.
INJURIES
Titans: Linebacker Jayon Brown harm his shoulder within the first half.
Patriots: Safety Patrick Chung left within the first quarter with an ankle concern.