By Josh Dubow
The Associated Press

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady waits out the final moments of the Patriots¹ 24-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans Monday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tom Brady shook his head as he walked off the field dejectedly following an interception return for a touchdown.

He jawed at an official who got in the way of a pass and frequently talked to his receivers after yet another incomplete pass. It was that kind of day for Brady and the New England Patriots.

The Super Bowl champions couldn't move the ball at all in their worst offensive game of the season, a 24-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday night.

"It was a little embarrassing actually," Patriots tight end Christian Fauria said. "This is probably the worst loss all year."

New England (8-6) hit season lows with only 176 yards and seven points, falling one game behind the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.

The Patriots can still win the division by winning their final two games against the New York Jets and Miami. But one more loss could end New England's playoff bid.

"It's a two-game season now," Brady said "We could end up 8-8, 9-7 or 10-6. We're going to go out there and compete."

The Patriots will need a better offensive performance than this one.

After going scoreless in the first half for only the second time this season, they scored on the opening possession of the second half on Brady's 10-yard run that cut the Titans' lead to 14-7.

New England stopped Tennessee on the next possession and then took over on its own 11, looking to mount a tying drive.

The Patriots ran in substitutions late before the first play, looking the catch the Titans off balance with a spread offense. Instead, Brady's short slant pass deflected off David Patten and right into the hands of safety Rich Coady.

Coady ran down the left sideline and into the end zone for a score, making the score 21-7. Brady stared back at the field as he walked toward the bench.

"It was a huge play, obviously the biggest play of the game," Brady said. "The game wasn't over, but it puts a lot of gas in their tank. It was just one of those bad executions."

The Patriots didn't mount any more threats, getting only two first downs the rest of the game.

Brady, who came into the game with an NFL-leading 26 touchdown passes, went 14-for-29 for just 134 yards and one interception.

"We were just fighting up hill the whole day," Brady said.

His only big play came on his touchdown run - the first of his career in the regular season. That was his only big run. New England's last-ditch hope ended when Brady couldn't gain anything on fourth-and-1 from his 41 with under four minutes to go.

The Patriots' running backs didn't do much either because they were playing from behind much of the game. They had just 13 runs for 56 yards on the game - 23 on one run by Antowain Smith.

"We were just playing catch-up," Fauria said. "That's not our offense."

New England managed just 11 first downs in the game, keeping the ball for only 18:30.

"We really performed well and the defense stuck to a plan and showed some domination out there tonight," Titans defensive tackle Henry Ford said.

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