The New England Patriots fell to 2-7 on the 2024 season after a 20-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Here’s who was graded UP or DOWN based on their performance on the field…
UP: QB Drake Maye
Maye was on his way to getting a DOWN for this game, despite flashing with both his arm and his legs. He finished the game 29-of-41 for 206 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions through the air, and also rushed eight times for 95 yards, which once again led the team.
The rookie redeemed himself with a thrilling drive at the end of the fourth quarter, which culminated with a touchdown pass to Rhamondre Stevenson after time had expired, a throw he made after scrambling for several seconds to keep the play alive. It’s that trait of making plays off schedule that could make Maye a special player, and it’s a good sign for the Pats that he showed some clutch genes on that drive.
DOWN: WR Ja’Lynn Polk
Ja’Lynn Polk (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Yet another rough afternoon for the rookie wideout, who got another chance to prove himself after clearing the NFL concussion protocol. Polk did not deliver, coming away with no catches on only one target, and committing two penalties, despite seeing the field for only one snap.
The Pats are going to need a lot more from Polk, especially in the long-term. It’s too early to give up on the 2024 second-round pick entirely, but he hasn’t played remotely well enough to warrant regular playing time.
UP: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Stevenson didn’t have the most productive day on the ground (16 yards on 10 carries), but he did punch in the Patriots’ first touchdown of the day, and generally showed tough running amid shoddy blocking by his teammates up front. But Stevenson really did his damage as a pass-catcher, reeling in all five targets for 38 yards, including an end-of-regulation touchdown catch.
It’s hard to complain about Stevenson’s game, despite the unimpressive numbers on paper. The Patriots are struggling mightily to run-block right now, and Stevenson is doing admirably well with a bad situation.
DOWN: DE Keion White
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 03: Josh Whyle #81 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball against Keion White #99 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
White got blown off the ball during the Titans’ opening drive, which resulted in a touchdown and had the Patriots playing catch-up for most of the day. He also got too far behind Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph trying to rush him prior to the go-ahead touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.
The second-year pro can be an effective pass-rusher, and flashed during a third-quarter drive that helped force the Titans to settle for a field goal. But he lacks discipline and plays out of control at times, and smart offenses have exploited that. He needs to learn to play with better discipline in between the sacks, if he wants to become a true impact player.
UP: WR DeMario Douglas
Nov 3, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas (3) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Seven catches for 35 yards don’t look like the biggest game on paper, but Douglas showed every time he touched the ball why he needs to, well, touch the ball more. He made arguably the best catch of the season by a Patriot so far this season with a third-quarter grab that led to a touchdown in the third quarter.
It’s not particularly easy to pull positives from the Pats offense on Sunday, considering the many mistakes they made. But “Pop” was a net positive, and could be emerging as a trusted go-to target for Maye.
DOWN: OG Layden Robinson
Nov 3, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) tosses the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Robinson played only 21 offensive snaps after starting at right guard, before the Patriots replaced him by sliding Mike Onwenu back to that spot and inserting Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle. He committed a holding penalty and allowed a sack on the Patriots’ first offensive drive, which set a terrible tone for himself and the rest of the O-line in the game.
Ultimately, it was a worse look for the coaches to put Robinson in there in the first place, instead of sticking with the same offensive line that had been gelling a bit in recent weeks. But Robinson clearly isn’t ready, and needs to develop behind the scenes before going back in there in any sort of regular role.
UP: LB Jahlani Tavai
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 03: Jahlani Tavai #48 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Tavai had his best, most active game of the season. His biggest play was an interception that he made while falling backward into the end zone and tipping the ball to himself, saving the Patriots from allowing more points while already down 7-0. Tavai also led the team with 11 tackles, including one for a loss in which he read the play quickly and shot through a gap to make the play. Nice game for the veteran linebacker and a bright spot on a hit-or-miss day for the unit.
DOWN: LB Christian Elliss
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) is stopped by New England Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss (53) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Syndication: The Tennessean)
It’s not necessarily Elliss’ fault that he’s being relied upon for such crucial snaps in the first place, but he got picked on in coverage on Sunday. He played 45 defensive snaps in the game, second only to Tavai, but found himself getting beat repeatedly on key passing plays late in the game, especially against Titans running back Tony Pollard. Again, not exactly Elliss’ fault he needs to cover to begin with, but this will be a game he’d like to have back after coming up big in a win over the Jets.
DOWN: C Ben Brown
Nov 3, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens (50) and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) cause New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) to bring the ball down during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Brown struggled to contain Pro-Bowl interior rusher Jeffrey Simmons for much of the afternoon, and it didn’t get much better for him after getting help from Onwenu. Brown committed two holding penalties and the Pats generally struggled to get a push when they tried to run up the middle. Brown has mostly been a find for the Patriots, after arriving just three weeks ago, but Sunday was a step back for him.
