New England, defending champion, was eliminated (20-13) on Saturday in the first round of the play-offs by the Tennessee Titans, a bitter failure that could precede the end of the Tom Brady era for the Patriots, or even its career at 42.
Earlier in the day, the Houston Texans were the first to qualify for the second round, beating the Buffalo Bills after extra time (22-19).
In the semi-finals of the American conference, Tennessee will have the tough task of facing the Baltimore Ravens, best team of the regular season and exempted in this first round title. Houston will also have a hard time facing the Kansas City Chiefs, also exempted for having finished with the second best record.
The Titans did not steal their victory, built with a touchdown to Derrick Henry's run on his 26th birthday, and sealed as a symbol by another touchdown from former Patriot Logan Ryan, who intercepted a pass Brady's 9 seconds before the end. The latter never managed to guide the "Pats" during a second period where the opposing defense, led by Mike Vrabel, who was three times titled as a player with ... New England, almost always read perfectly his choices.
What about Brady's future?
The big question now is what decision will Brady make for the rest of his career. A free agent at the end of this season, the six-time Super Bowl winner can choose to continue with New England, but also to change clubs or to retire.
In Houston, the emotion was very strong too, but more joyful after the qualification of the Texans, however led 16-0, before reversing the situation and beating Buffalo.
At the end of the suspense, in a match long promised to the Bills, Houston could count on the boot of Ka'imi Fairbairn to transform a last attempt at the foot during the overtime.
Previously, the strongman had been quarterback Deshaun Watson, who registered a run touchdown and threw a assist for another Carlos Hyde touchdown, tracing the sixteen-point deficit they still had at the start of the game. third quarter.
“It's to live these moments, these emotions, that we fight to come back, with all these guys on the team. All this team needs is a little spark, it's all they need when their quarterback is Deshaun Watson, "said Texans defenseman JJ Watt.
Sunday, two other matches of the first round are on the program: New Orleans faces Minnesota and Philadelphia plays against Seattle.
- Tom brady
- Sport
- Football