Tom Brady hit hard as the New England Patriots lost to the Tennessee Titans
Tom Brady hit hard as the New England Patriots lost to the Tennessee Titans

NFL play-off highlights: New England Patriots beaten by Tennessee Titans & Houston Texans bet Buffalo Bills in wild card round


The Tennessee Titans dumped defending champions the New England Patriots out of the NFL play-offs while the Houston Texans won in overtime.

The Patriots were playing in the first round of the play-offs for the first time in a decade after failing to finish in the top two in the AFC, and they discovered just what can happen in the wild card round as they suffered a rare home post-season defeat.

The unfancied Titans marched into Gillette Stadium and duly emerged with a 20-13 victory on the back of a huge game from powerful running back Derrick Henry.

Henry was always going to be the key man for the Titans, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick this time could not find an answer as Henry starred in the shock win.

He rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown while on the other side of the ball, Tennessee's defence kept Patriots legend Tom Brady at bay.

The 42-year-old Brady's future in the game is uncertain. He said after the game that he wants to keep playing, but his contract with the Patriots is up.

Meanwhile Henry, celebrating his 26th birthday as well as the win, was thrilled with the outcome.

"It's a great win against a great team in a hostile environment," he told reporters after the game.

Texans triumph in overtime

In Houston, the Texans beat the Buffalo Bills 22-19 in a game that went to overtime.

The hero for the home side was Deshaun Watson, who got away from a would-be sack and completed a pass that set up the winning field goal.

It was a stunning turnaround for Houston, who had trailed by 10 points in the second half.

"We never quit," Watson said in the post-game press conference. "Whatever it takes to get the win. I mean, we're going to keep fighting."

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