NFL Week 9: Instant analysis of the Patriots' 20-17 loss to the Titans

The 2022 season was the last time the New England Patriots won two games in a row.

That took place Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium, where head coach Jerod Mayo's team fell to a 2-7 record with a 20-17 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Here's a look back at what went into it before the calendar approaches the NFL trade deadline.

Maye finds 206 by air and 95 on the ground to force overtime

Drake Maye approved the NFL's concussion protocol on the eve of kickoff at 1 p.m. ET. And when the clocks were turned back, the rookie quarterback led the way, completing 29 of 41 passes for 206 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

New England's opening series ended with a sack and a missed field goal. The next series brought a false start and a finish just in front of the uprights as the punt team stepped up. An interception with the back foot also ended the third drive unceremoniously. But the next time, Maye slipped out of a sack, turned the ball over on third down and hit tight end Hunter Henry through traffic en route to a three-point play.

The No. 3 overall pick from North Carolina later lost a fumble while trying to get into the pocket with 6:48 left in a 10-10 game. The result was a 17:10 deficit. There were no timeouts and there was a threat of another possession in regulation time. The 11-play, 50-yard drive fell into the hands of running back Rhamondre Stevenson and forced overtime after the quarterback ran circles around the Titans for more than 10 seconds. A deep shot and a second pick from safety Amani Hooker tied it up. Maye's start included 95 rushing yards, including 26 long yards, over eight carries after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit in a sliding scramble the weekend before.

Two healthy scratches in New England's receiver room

Five wide receivers were in uniform for the Patriots on Sunday. KJ Osborn and Tyquan Thornton were not among them. Both instead suffered healthy scratches 90 minutes before kickoff as Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline approached.

Kendrick Bourne would lead the depth chart with 41 yards on four receptions against the Titans. The veteran, who suffered a false start in the first quarter, returned before halftime to catch consecutive passes and drew flags afterward. Kayshon Boutte caught two passes. And next to them in the slot, DeMario Douglas launched a one-handed pass down the sideline that scored 21 points and finished the game with seven catches.

Rounding out the room was Javon Baker, who served as a kick returner and joined the offense on the second snap. He was held without a catch. The same went for fellow rookie Ja'Lynn Polk, who was penalized for holding and an illegal shift.

A short-lived eighth combination along the offensive line

After starting seven different combinations over seven weeks, a familiar offensive line took the field last weekend to deliver a 25-22 victory over the New York Jets. But on Sunday in Nashville, it would be a new agreement to get things going. The eighth in nine games.

There was a questionable Vederian Lowe at left tackle next to a questionable Michael Jordan at left guard. Over their shoulders, Ben Brown lined up at center while freshman Layden Robinson was reinstated at right back with Mike Onwenu flanking him. The pressure rate increased. And swingman Demontrey Jacobs, who has started five games since coming off waivers in August, was called out before halftime when the No. 103 overall pick from Texas A&M came to the sideline and was the starting right tackle of the game was shot inside.

Four sacks were recorded by the Titans, starting on third down with a declined holding penalty. From there, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons forced more flags. He also fell on a fumble and forced his way into the sack column along with teammates Harold Landry, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jack Gibbens and Arden Key.

Despite Stevenson's results, the non-quarterback rushing attack doesn't matter

Tennessee's defense began the afternoon after allowing 10 rushes north of 20 yards on the play. It would be up to New England's backfield to add more explosives. However, aside from the quarterback scrambles, sledding on the ground would once again be difficult.

Stevenson converted 10 handoffs into 16 yards and was stopped behind the line on third-and-1 before halftime. The starting running back had eclipsed his 2023 touchdown tally in grueling fashion the week before. No. 38 pounced after halftime for the sixth time this year, matching his career high, to give the Patriots a 10-7 lead. And then he would wait for the game-winning touchdown catch to force extra minutes.

Veteran additions Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty helped explain the loss of one yard per carry each.

Rudolph is picked by Tavai and scores two touchdowns

A week after the 52-14 loss, the Titans stuck with Mason Rudolph as their starter on Sunday. The backup quarterback would complete 20 of 33 passes for 240 yards while recording two touchdowns and one interception. At the beginning there was a scramble between 3 and 12 due to a sunken edge. This was followed by hits for tight end Nick Vannett and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

Top wideout Calvin Ridley lined up primarily opposite standout sophomore Christian Gonzalez, who accompanied him into the slot on the first snap. The commitment in March would result in a total of eight team appearances. Those looks resulted in a handful of completions for 73 yards. A pass deflection on the sideline from No. 0 against No. 0 forced the punt team to keep playing.

New England's starting secondary also included Marcus Jones and Jonathan Jones at cornerback. Jaylinn Hawkins and green polka dot Marte Mapu got the nod for a shorthanded safety depth chart that featured undrafted rookie Dell Pettus. Defensive captain Kyle Dugger missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.

New England's front scores a sack while Pollard scores 28 runs

After trading an outside linebacker in Joshua Uche and promoting another in Ochaun Mathis, the Patriots had even more options moving forward.

But the group managed to post a single sack on the Titans' 6-foot-1, 235-pound starter. Captain Deatrich Wise Jr. got it. And in addition to the pass rush, there were also running lanes to sew up. These lanes frayed early. On Sunday, running back Tony Pollard totaled 128 yards on 28 handoffs, led by an outside run of 32 on the first drive that put the Titans on the verge of a 7-0 lead. A touchdown was later canceled out by a penalty.

New England starters on the starting line included Anfernee Jennings, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale and Keion White. Off the ball they were accompanied by Christian Elliss and Jahlani Tavai. During the break, the latter linebacker had a tackle for loss on a swing pass and made his first interception of a ball tipped into the end zone.

Folk finishes Sunday work on special teams

Just hours before his 40th birthday, Nick Folk returned to the team that traded him at the NFL's 2023 roster deadline. The long-time kicker was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week four times in Foxborough. He had tied for the league lead in scoring and set a league record for most consecutive conversions within 50 yards.

On Sunday, Folk was 2-2 on field goals and 2-2 on extra points for the Titans, including a 25-yarder that took the lead in overtime. Across the aisle, Joey Slye missed the ball on his opening attempt from 56 yards before converting from 52 yards. The Patriots incumbent also narrowly got his second extra point.

The up-and-down kicking game also included forays of 25 and 45 yards by punter Bryce Baringer, returns of 44 and 25 yards by former All-Pro Marcus Jones and a forced fumble by rookie shooting guard Marcellas Dial that was not recovered 2:47 left in regulation time.