Two bad football teams played to a near draw Sunday.

The Patriots lost for the same reason they nearly won.

They relied heavily on their talented rookie quarterback, a type of high-variance player prone to big plays and big mistakes. Drake Maye authored both in Tennessee, tossing a game-tying touchdown on the last snap of regulation and a game-ending interception in overtime.

Overall, Maye’s performance should inspire confidence. His ability to create outside of structure and deliver in critical situations sustained the offense and helped account for 95% of the Pats’ total yards. His long-term prospects appear brighter after four games than they did after three. That’s good.

But in the interim, the Pats have problems.

They cannot run-block. Their defense is still too soft against the run. Maye is his own best pass-protector, and Hunter Henry is the only Patriot to top 50 receiving yards the last three weeks.

Fixes remain available, and it starts with taking more off Maye’s plate.

Here’s what else the film revealed about the Patriots’ latest loss:

Drake Maye

29-of-41 for 206 yards, TD, 2 INTs (4 sacks)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass that was intercepted by the Tennessee Titans to end the game in overtime in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Accurate throw percentage: 79.5%

Under pressure: 5-of-8 for 45 yards, INT, 50 rushing yards, 4 sacks

Against the blitz: 6-of-9 for 43 yards, INT, 2 sacks

Behind the line: 12-of-12 for 40 yards

0-9 yards downfield: 13-of-16 for 113 yards, TD

10-19 yards downfield: 4-of-6 for 53 yards, INT

20+ yards downfield: 0-of-5, INT

Notes: Maye’s best plays were all off-schedule.

His scrambles beat pressure. His processing and creativity beat the blitz. His willingness to hang in the pocket and throw off-platform allowed him to find DeMario Douglas for 21-yards on a deep cross and Rhamondre Stevenson on a flip pass as he was being dragged to the ground. Then came the touchdown to Stevenson at the end of regulation.

So how sustainable is this long-term? Most of it feels more shaky than sustainable, as all quarterbacks need protection and separation from their receivers to thrive consistently; two things Maye has in short supply. But until the Pats get those sorted out, the rookie will reliably create on his own (a must in the modern era) and can focus on a few corrections.

He led Titans safety Amani Hooker into both interceptions; first hoping Douglas would clear Hooker out of the middle on a crossing route so Maye could hit Ja’Lynn Polk running behind him on a replacement route. Hooker read his eyes, and easily jumped the throw. Maye forced a deep throw to Kayshon Boutte on his second interception, which he later called a “dumb decision.”

Maye also made a few questionable decisions on run-pass options, eschewing hand-offs into light boxes so he could throw to Douglas in the flat for minimal gains. Overall, Maye had atypical struggles deep, going 0-of-5 on attempts that covered 20-plus yards through the air, but constantly created on his own.

Imagine where Maye and the Patriots would be if he had completed one deep ball. Maybe even in the win column.

One final note on his touchdown pass: Hunter Henry got knocked out of bounds mid-play and stayed there to avoid an illegal touching penalty. So Henry’s defender joined the rush and, after 11.82 seconds in the pocket, forced Maye to throw while playing 10-on-11. Maye scored anyway. Amazing.

Critical areas

Turnovers: Patriots 3, Titans 1

Explosive play rate: Patriots 6.2%, Titans 6.8%

Success rate: Patriots 36.9%, Titans 51.4%

Red-zone efficiency: Patriots 2-2, Titans 2-5

Defensive pressure rate: Patriots 31.5%, Titans 30.8%

Offense

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) celebrates a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Game plan

Personnel breakdown: 68% of snaps in 11 personnel, 25% of snaps in 12 personnel, 2% of snaps in 13 personnel, 3% of snaps in 21 personnel, 2% of snaps in 22 personnel.***

Personnel production: 38.6% success rate in 11 personnel, 29.4% success rate in 12 personnel, 100% success rate in 13 personnel, 50% success rate in 21 personnel, 0% success rate in 22 personnel.

First-down down play-calls: 40% run (22% success rate), 60% pass (44% success rate)

Play-action rate: 22.6%

For a second straight week, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was forced to ditch his run-first game plan designed to flow through heavy personnel. Van Pelt called runs on the Pats’ first four first-down plays, and deployed multiple backs or tight ends on 11 of the Patriots’ initial 14 snaps. During those snaps, the Patriots tried to run outside — away from Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons — and exploit the poor tackling of Titans cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. with several passes into the flat.

Neither worked. Worse yet, outside runs and short throws are where the team’s solutions for Simmons stopped. Simmons eventually took over, drawing multiple holding penalties, forcing several pressures and contributing to a couple run stuffs. Van Pelt ought to have done more to help his offensive line against an elite player, and not started at right a rookie at right guard at the expense of his best lineman.

Eventually, the Pats moved Onwenu back to right guard and benched rookie Layden Robinson, who predictably had his hands full with Simmons, including one holding penalty and pressure allowed on the opening drive alone.

One play-calling note: some took issue with Van Pelt’s decision to run the ball on second-and-1 and third-and-1 near halftime, two plays that resulted in run stuffs and led to a punt. They were half right. Van Pelt’s inside run call on second-and-1 should have converted against a Tennessee defensive front that left the middle wide open. Instead, the Pats blew an easy double-team, then predictably got stopped on third-and-1, when the Titans loaded up against the run.

One final note: after calling most of the game with three receivers on the field, Van Pelt pivoted for the final three snaps of regulation. He used 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends), an indication this is his preferred way to play offense when the chips are down. In most games, the Pats have been more efficient playing from 12 personnel than 11.

Player stats

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) makes a catch in front of Tennessee Titans cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) for a touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Broken tackles: RB Rhamondre Stevenson 3, RB JaMycal Hasty, QB Drake Maye

Pressure allowed: Team 5 (3 sacks, QB hit, hurry), LG Michael Jordan 3 (2 QB hits), QB Drake Maye 2 (QB hit, hurry), C Ben Brown 2 (sack, QB hit), RT/RG Mike Onwenu 2 (2 hurries), RT Demontrey Jacobs (hurry), RG Layden Robinson (hurry)

Run stuffs allowed: LT Vederian Lowe 2, Maye, Team

Drops: WR Kayshon Boutte, WR DeMario Douglas

Notes

This was a complete failure up front. Tennessee dominated the line of scrimmage, and especially against the run. The Pats gained 15 yards on 12 handoffs, as their offensive linemen and tight ends all got stonewalled.
Rhamondre Stevenson finished with more rushing yards after contact (17) than he did total (16), according to Pro Football Focus. Stevenson also dropped a backwards pass at the start of the second half.

The Patriots nonetheless managed to score on that drive thanks to Maye, who generated almost all of their offense via scrambles and extended plays. His 54 dropbacks marked a new career high.
When Maye was in trouble, he looked for Hunter Henry, who converted three first downs, caught passes inside the red zone and on fourth-and-2 during the final drive of regulation.
DeMario Douglas was the other go-to target, though his receptions were by design; often on run-pass options or screens. The Titans, however, had no trouble corralling Douglas in space, another reason for the Patriots’ struggles.
Aside from Douglas — who also had a drop — the Pats receivers continue to underwhelm.  Kendrick Bourne ran two comeback routes that finished shy of the first-down marker, a reflection of poor attention to detail. Bourne, though, does appear to have chemistry with Maye, who also showed some trust in him during critical situations.
Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk returned from a one-game absence to tally two penalties and zero catches. He saw just nine offensive snaps, and has been slumping for more than a month.
The Pats also handed some snaps to fourth-round rookie receiver Javon Baker, who sprung loose on a deep shot in the first half just a split second too late. He got muscled early in his route, and by the time he broke off his post route, Maye was already cocking his arm to throw a checkdown.
Among the offensive linemen, left tackle Vederian Lowe was the only one to post a clean sheet in pass protection. Lowe, however, was involved in two run stuffs, including the killer blown double-team in the first half.

Center Ben Brown and left guard Michael Jordans were the Patriots’ worst performers up front, not including rookie right guard Layden Robinson who got benched.
The first signs cropped up last week, but the Patriots may be pivoting to a more serious developmental phase of their season. It’s the only reason why Robinson starts, Van Pelt calls plays like a screen to seventh-round rookie tight end Jaheim Bell early in the game, and gives Baker increased snaps.

Defense

Game plan

Personnel breakdown: 40% base defense, 29% three-corner nickel package, 11% three-safety nickel, 20% dime.****

Coverage breakdown: 66% zone, 34% man

Blitz rate: 19.4%

Blitz efficacy: 43% offensive success rate and 6.4 yards per play allowed

Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington stuck cornerback Christian Gonzalez on the Titans’ most dangerous weapon — wide receiver Calvin Ridley — during most of his man-to-man calls. But the Pats also sprinkled a few double teams of Ridley, and overall played a higher rate of zone coverage and base personnel than expected. Covington was reluctant to blitz, believing the Patriots could create pressure with a four-man rush.

The results were mixed. Tennessee moved the ball against their 3-4 defense and exploited early-down zone calls with a steady diet of play-action. Quarterback Mason Rudolph finished 7-of-10 for 96 yards and a touchdown off play-action, including a pass from an unbalanced formation that capped the Titans’ opening scoring drive.

Ultimately, despite a pressure rate north of 30%, the Patriots couldn’t create enough negative plays to get off the field. The Titans allowed just one sack and four run stuffs, while recording a single three-and-out in 11 drives.

Player stats

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) is tackled after a catch by New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) during the first half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Pressure: OLB Anfernee Jennings 3 (3 hurries), DL Deatrich Wise 2 (sack, hurry), LB Jahlani Tavai 2 (QB hit, hurry), DL Keion White (QB hit, hurry), DL Daniel Ekuale (QB hit), DL Jaquelin Roy (hurry), Team (hurry)

Interceptions: Tavai

Pass deflections: CB Christian Gonzalez 2, CB Jonathan Jones

Run stuffs: Team 2, DB Marcus Jones, Tavai, White

Missed tackles: LB Christian Elliss, S Marte Mapu, CB Marco Wilson, Tavai, White

Notes

At best, Christian Gonzalez fought Ridley to a draw. Their heavyweight battle resulted in three catches for 51 yards on five targets, including a key third-down conversion in overtime.
Those numbers would have been worse for Gonzalez if not for Ridley’s drops, and quarterback Mason Rudolph missing a coverage bust on the same snap where he threw a tip-drill interception for Jahlani Tavai. Ridley sprung wide open in the end zone, which was either on Gonzalez or Marcus Jones.
Opposite Gonzalez, corners Jonathan Jones and Marco Wilson hardly covered themselves in glory. Wilson was the nearest defender on Rudolph’s ensuing touchdown pass to tight end Nick Vannett that capped the drive, and Jones gave up Rudolph’s second touchdown pass in man-to-man coverage.
Tennessee also targeted Wilson as a run defender, drawing him into the action on Tony Pollard’s 32-yard rush on the opening drive with a version of crack toss. The Titans repeatedly forced the Pats’ defensive backs to defend the run, calling 16 runs outside the box for 5.8 yards per carry compared to 16 rushes between the tackles that averaged 3.5 yards per rush.

These crack tosses, which pull offensive tackles out as lead blockers, also combated one of the Patriots’ solutions for stopping outside-zone teams: placing five or six defenders on the line of scrimmage.
Overall, the Pats again allowed an opponent to control play on the ground. Pollard piled up 128 rushing yards at 4.6 yards per carry, and Titans rushed for 41 yards in overtime alone.
Reminder: Tennessee may have clinched the game with a touchdown were it not for a botched snap on third-and-2 at the Pats’ 7-yard line.
So who else was at fault? Defensive lineman Davon Godchaux got pushed around for a second straight week, losing not against frequent double-teams but 1-on-1 blockers.

Christian Elliss also regressed in his third career start at linebacker, forcing Tavai to play almost perfect run defense at the second level.
When Tavai didn’t, the Pats were in trouble. During an otherwise terrific game, Tavai shot himself out of Pollard’s nine-yard run on third-and-3 late in overtime, which killed more clock and drew Tennessee closer to the end zone on third-and-3.
The Titans’ inability to finish drives in the red zone kept this game close, while their 51% success rate tells a more accurate story of how they controlled the line of scrimmage and play most of the game; primarily with early-down passes and late-down runs.
Shout-out to outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, whose pass rush did not wane despite playing a career-high 76 snaps. Keion White also maintained maximum effort and generated late pressure, despite seeing 65 plays.
Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale was the Pats’ only consistent performer against the run. He just crossed his career high in snaps for a single season.
Solid tackling day. The Pats only whiffed five times.

Special teams

New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) returns a punt during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

The Patriots capitalized on Tennessee’s league-worst special teams by DVOA, with Marcus Jones taking two punt returns for 69 yards. The latter set up Maye and the offense and midfield for their last drive of regulation.
Rookie cornerback/gunner Marcellas Dial Jr. also forced a fumble on Tennessee’s last punt return, though the Titans recovered.
Simultaneously, the Pats also did the Titans a few favors. Joey Slye missed a 56-yard field goal in the first quarter, and punter Bryce Baringer had a couple unfortunate shanks, while dropping one of four punts inside Tennessee’s 20-yard line.
The coaching staff was also forced to burn a timeout because the Pats appeared to have only 10 players on the field before one punt return in the fourth quarter.
Rookie receiver Javon Baker again stood back deep as a kick returner, but never left the end zone.
Core special teamer Brenden Schooler delivered a massive hit on Tennessee’s final kick return, which officially went down as a forced fumble and Titans recovery. Schooler may have been a hero if the ball had bounced differently.

Studs

LB Jahlani Tavai

Tavai posted a team-high 11 tackles around his interception, a run stuff and one pressure. He was the best Patriots defender on the field.

PR Marcus Jones

Jones ripped one punt return for 44 yards and another for 25, building on a strong showing the week before against the Jets.

Duds

C Ben Brown

Two holding penalties, one sack and a QB hit allowed. Rough day.

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P Bryce Baringer

Baringer shanked multiple punts in his first down game of the season and dropped one ball inside Tennessee’s 20-yard line.

*Explosive plays are defined as runs of 12-plus yards and passes of 20-plus yards. 

**Success rate is an efficiency metric measuring how often an offense stays on schedule. A play is successful when it gains at least 40% of yards-to-go on first down, 60% of yards-to-go on second down and 100% of yards-to-go on third or fourth down.

***11 personnel = one running back, one tight end; 12 personnel = one running back, two tight ends; 13 personnel = one running back, three tight ends; 21 = two halfbacks, one tight end.

****Base defense = four defensive backs; nickel = five; dime = six; dollar defense = seven.