The New England Patriots dropped their Week 8 contest 20-17 to the Tennessee Titans to fall to 2-7 on the year.

Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.

Winners

QB Drake Maye: It wasn’t a perfect game for the rookie quarterback, who tossed a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble on a strip sack — all three turnovers on him. But, Maye put the offense on his back and took them as far as he could.

Maye’s legs were again his biggest asset as he led the team with 95 rushing yards on eight scrambles — forcing Tennessee’s defense to play mostly zone coverage after their first series. The game tying touchdown to end regulation also came after he extended a play over 11 seconds before lofting one to Rhamondre Stevenson in the end zone.

As a passer, Maye finished 29-of-41 for 206 yards. Beyond the touchdown, his best pass came on a 21-yard completion to DeMario Douglas after he rolled out to his right and dropped one in the bucket along the sideline. Both interceptions, however, came with Maye failing to recognize defenders in the area.

OH MY POP 🤯@popshotta3 | @DrakeMaye2

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/LrDycZm6Pe

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 3, 2024

Again, it wasn’t perfect and Maye must learn from the mistakes. But the 22-year old’s flashes continue to pile up — which has caught the attention of his teammates. Now it’s on everyone else to make life easier around him.

LB Jahlani Tavai: It’s been a challenging season at times for Tavai without Ja’Whaun Bentley alongside of him, but the linebacker has played better of late. That led to his best game of the season on Sunday where Tavai led the team with 11 tackles and an interception off a tip-drill along the goal line. Tavai also made splash plays with an early TFL on a screen and a QB hit as he was disruptive as a blitzer.

PR Marcus Jones: Against a historically bad Titans special teams unit, it felt inevitable that Marcus Jones would make a play in the return game. That’s what unfolded, as Jones tallied a 44-yard return — with key blocks from several of his fellow defensive backs — and then recorded a 25-yard return to help set up the game-tying drive at the end of regulation. Jones is an elite punt returner.

Losers

Coaching staff: It was another undisciplined performance from the Patriots, who totaled eight penalties for 58 yards. They constantly made life more difficult on themselves, which was noteworthy in a game where the Titans had 10 penalties and plays like the muffed snap in overtime to limit themselves to a field goal.

As for the decision making from New England’s coaching staff, the game started with a questionable move along the offensive line starting Layden Robinson at right guard and moving Mike Onwenu back to right tackle. Working against the Titans’ best player, Jeffery Simmons, Robinson lasted just 21 plays before reverting to the bench.

Elsewhere in a reoccurring theme, the Patriots continued to botch the end-of-half situation. After Maye completed back-to-back passes to Kendrick Bourne for 23 total yards, Alex Van Pelt dialed up back-to-back runs to emphasize moving the chains on 2nd- as well as 3rd-and-1. Both runs, however, were stuffed short all while the clock continued to run. It was a puzzling decision based off Maye’s start to the drive and wasted a potential for points.

Run game: Another week, another trip to the “Losers” column for the run game — both offensively and defensively.

On offense, New England’s backs totaled just 15 yards on 12 carries as Maye (95 yards) was again the team’s leading rusher. Much of this blame falls on the offensive line, who continues to generate little movement as the Patriots produced negative yards before contact for the fourth straight week.

To the defensive side of things, Tennessee kept the ball on the ground 39 times for 167 yards (4.3 YPA) in the win. After getting beat by the Jets along the edges last week, Tony Pollard totaled 92 yards on 19 outside carries (4.8 YPC). The overtime period was then a flashback to London as the Titans marched down the field primarily on the ground.

WR Ja’Lynn Polk: After missing last week with a concussion, the rookie wideout return to action on Sunday. Polk played a season-low nine offensive snaps and saw just one target. To make matters worse, Polk was flagged for two penalties — an illegal shift and a hold that negated a first-down by Pop Douglas. It’s tough seeing a role in the offense for the 37th pick as of now.

K Joey Slye and P Bryce Baringer: 56-yard field goals are no gimme, but Joey Slye missing the long attempt on New England’s first drive proved costly. Slye has missed just three kicks (one blocked) this season, all coming in one score losses. As for Baringer, the punter shanked a pair of kicks including one that traveled just 15 yards.

Honorable mentions

• Not much room on the ground, but Rhamondre Stevenson hauled in five passes for 38 yards and the game tying score.
• Hunter Henry continues to be Mr. Reliable. He tied Pop Douglas for a team-high seven receptions and led the team with 56 receiving yards — including a fourth-down conversion on the final drive in regulation.
• In addition to the offensive line’s struggles in the run game, the pass protection took a step back as Maye was under pressure on 38.5 percent of his drop backs. Ben Brown had some expected issues against Simmons as he was called for a pair of holds.
• Christian Gonzalez shadowed Calvin Ridley for most of the game (24 routes) where he allowed three catches for 51 yards. Gonzalez had a perfect rep against a slot fade as he recorded a PBY in the first-half.