Draft:2020 Tennessee Titans-New England Patriots game

{{AFC submission|d|news|u=Bcom123|ns=118|decliner=CSMention269|declinets=20250108142821|ts=20250108034720}}

{{Short description|Tom Brady's final game as a Patriot}}

{{Draft topics|media}}

{{AfC topic|other}}

{{Infobox NFL single game

| name = End of a Dynasty

| image =

| caption = Gillette Stadium, the site of the game, in 2020

| visitor = Tennessee Titans

| visitor_abbr = TEN

| visitor_coach = Mike Vrabel

| visitor_place = 6

| visitor_record = 9-7

| home = New England Patriots

| home_abbr = NE

| home_coach = Bill Belichick

| home_place = 3

| home_record = 12-4

| visitor_qtr1 = 7

| visitor_qtr2 = 7

| visitor_qtr3 = 0

| visitor_qtr4 = 6

| visitor_total = 20

| home_qtr1 = 3

| home_qtr2 = 10

| home_qtr3 = 0

| home_qtr4 = 0

| home_total = 13

| date = January 4th, 2020

| time = 8:25{{nbsp}}P.M.

| stadium = Gillette Stadium

| city = Foxboro, Massachusetts

| referee = John Hussey

| attendance = 65,878

| odds = New England by 4.5

| network = CBS

| announcers = Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson

}}

On January 4th, 2020, the Tennessee Titans defeated the New England Patriots 20-13{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401131036/titans-patriots |website=ESPN |title=Titans 20-13 Patriots (Jan 4, 2020) Final Score }} in Tom Brady's final game as a New England Patriot, with his last pass being a pick-six by former Patriot Logan Ryan. {{cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/remembering-tom-bradys-final-pass-as-a-patriot-pick-six/us5jz86clxuo1210fuo5f40ej |website=The Sporting News|title=Remembering Tom Brady's final pass as a Patriot — a pick-six}} This marked the end of the Brady-Belichick era as Tom Brady would sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 17th, 2020{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28930366/tom-brady-says-signing-buccaneers |website=ESPN |title='Hungry' Tom Brady officially signs with Buccaneers (Mar 20, 2020) Final Score }}.

Coming out as the super bowl champions, the Patriots started strong with an 8-0 record before losing to the eventual #1 seed Ravens who went 14-2.{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2861105-lamar-jackson-outduels-tom-brady-as-ravens-hand-patriots-1st-loss-of-season |website=Bleacher Report|title=Lamar Jackson Outduels Tom Brady as Ravens Hand Patriots 1st Loss of Season}} The Titans on the other hand had started 2-4 and benched Marcus Mariota. This led to a big turn around with the titans ending 7-3 and making the playoffs as the 6th seed. New England had a chance to get a bye as the #2 seed but failed to after a shocking loss against the Dolphins at home in week 17. {{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/dec/29/nfl-week-17-scores-patriots-dolphins |website=The Guardian|title=NFL round-up: Patriots passed by Chiefs for bye after shock Dolphins loss}} With this loss, they tied the Chiefs for the #2 seed, but since the Chiefs defeated the Patriots in a controversial week 14 game {{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/referee-explains-nkeal-harrys-non-touchdown-call-in-patriots-loss-to-chiefs-tom-brady-comments/ |website=CBS SPORTS|title=Referee explains N'Keal Harry's non-touchdown call in Patriots loss to Chiefs, Tom Brady comments }}, Kansas City had the #2 seed and the Patriots were #3 and so New England would face #6 Tennessee at Gillette Stadium.

There were major rumors before this game as many speculated that after the 2019 season, Brady would leave New England. Brady's new contract had a provision that prevented the Patriots from retaining his rights via a franchise or transition tag. Many also thought that their relationship was strained as apparently the conditions under Belichick became "brutal".

Derrick Henry had a breakout season with 1,540 rushing yards making him the NFL Rushing King. This would prove pivotal as he would rush for 182 yards with 1 touchdown. The Patriots' poor offense would cost them the game as the Vrabel burned the clock using a loophole that Belichick discovered against the Jets in Week 7.