NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tom Brady might have a broken nose, about the only damage inflicted by the Titans against the Patriots, who simply don’t lose season openers.
Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns, and the defending AFC champion Patriots routed the Titans 34-13 for their ninth straight season-opening win yesterday. It’s the longest current streak in the league.
“I need some scars,” Brady said, joking about the white bandage covering his nose and marring his usual look.
Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley hurt Brady in the second quarter when he got Tennessee’s only sack of the game. Brady said that was the only good hit he took all day and complimented his revised offensive line featuring a new left tackle in Nate Solder, new center in Dan Connolly and right guard in Donald Thomas.
“It wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but it’s always fun to win,” Brady said. “It’s a good feeling.”
The Patriots ruined Jake Locker’s debut as Tennessee’s starter, sacking him twice and forcing two turnovers. New England rookie Dont’a Hightower returned Locker’s fumble 6 yards for a TD in his own debut, and Stevan Ridley ran for 125 yards and a TD.
New England even knocked Locker out of the game in the fourth quarter and held Chris Johnson to 4 yards on 11 carries.
Locker hurt his left shoulder tackling safety Patrick Chung on a fumble return. Matt Hasselbeck replaced Locker.
Brady put the Patriots up 7-3 with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez late in the first quarter. It was Brady’s 301st career TD pass, surpassing John Elway for fifth in NFL history. He found Rob Gronkowski on a 2-yard TD pass just before halftime for a 21-3 lead.