New England scores touchdown 7-3

---Titans up 3-0--- 

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots kick off the 2012 regular season against Jake Locker and the Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.

The New England Patriots are the defending AFC champions and the franchise that's been the model for consistently contending in the conference.

The 2011 version of the Pats went 13-3, best in the AFC, and easily took care of the Denver Broncos and barely squeaked past the Baltimore Ravens en route to the big game in Indianapolis. Tennessee went 9-7 last season, finishing second in the AFC South and failing to qualify for the postseason.

New England went 1-3 in the preseason, defeating the New Orleans Saints (7-6) in the opener but losing to the Philadelphia Eagles (27-17), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30-28) and the New York Giants (6-3).

Tennessee was 3-1 in preseason action, dropping the opener to the Seattle Seahawks (27-17) but defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30-7), the Arizona Cardinals (32-27) and the New Orleans Saints (10-6).

New England and Tennessee last met on October 18, 2009, when the Pats smoked the Titans, 59-0, at snowy Gillette Stadium. Tom Brady exploded for six touchdown passes while throwing for 380 yards. Wes Welker had 10 grabs for 150 yards and two scores and Laurence Maroney racked up 123 rushing yards and one touchdown. Titans' back Chris Johnson had 128 rushing yards and then quarterback Vince Young failed to record a passing yard on two attempts. As a team, the Titans posted -7 passing yards.

Play-By-Play:

2nd Quarter:

4th and 1 TEN 38: B.Kern punts 44 yards to NE 18, Center-B.Brinkley. J.Edelman Muffs catch, recovered by NE

2nd and 1 at TEN 43: T.Brady up the middle

1st and 10 at TEN 41: T.Brady pass incomplete to W.Welker

2nd and 10 at TEN 41: D.Woodhead right tackle to TEN 35 for 6 yards. TEN-C.McCarthy was injuried during the play. His return is questionable 

2rd and 4 at TEN 35: Direct snap to A.Herandez

1st and 10 at TEN 30: T.Brady pass short to middle R.Gronkowskie

2nd and 3 at TEN 23: T. Brady pass short to right W.Welkers to TEN 11 for 5 yards 

2nd and 5 at TEN 11: Timeout at 2:48

3rd and 4 at TEN 10: S.Ridley left guard to TEN 2 for 8 yards

1st and 2 at TEN 2: T.Brady pass short to R. Gronkowski for 2 yards. TOUCHDOWN

S.Gostkowski extra point GOOD

S.Gostkowski kicks 73 yards from NE 35 to TEN 8. D. Reynaud to TEN 18 for 26 yards

1st and 10 at TEN 30: J. Locker sacked at TEN 30

Timeout at 0.52

1st and 10 at NE 12: T. Brady kneels to NE 11 for -1 yards

End of First Half 

Start of Second Half

1st and 10 at 50: S.Ridley right end to NE 

2nd and 11 at NE 49: T. Brady pass incomplete short middle to S.Ridley

NE: 7 plays, 29 yards, 3:13- Punt 

1st and 10 at NE 45: J.Locker pass incomplete short right to K.Wright 

2nd and 10 at NE 45: J.Licker pass short to C. Johnson to NE 29 for 16 yards

1st and 10 at NE 29: J.Locker pass deep right to N. Washingto for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN 

R.Bironas extra point is GOOD

R.Bironas kicks 65 yards from TEN 35 to end zone, Touchback.

1st and 10 at NE 20: T.Brady pass incomplete short left to B.Lloyd 

1st and 10 at NE 31: S.Ridley right end to NE 27 for -4 yards

2nd and 14 at NE 27: T.Brady pass to A.Hernandez

4th and 2 at TEN 40: Z.Mesko punts 30 yards to TEN 10

1st and 10 at TEN 10: J.Locker pass short left to C.Johnson pushed ob at TEN 10 for no gain

2nd and 10 at TEN 10: J.Locker pass short right intended for D.Reynaurd Intercepted at TEN 18 for no gain

INTERCEPTION was over ruled 

B.Kern punts 55 yards to NE 43.

End of third period Pats lead 28-10

2nd and 6 at TEN 47: J.Locker sacked at TEN 42 for -5 yards. Penalty on NE-C.Jones, Defensive Offside

2nd and 1 at NE 48: J.Locker pass to N. Washington to NE 25 for 23 yards. J.Mayo fumbles, Recovered by NE-P.Chung at NE 25 P.Chung to TEN 26 for 49 yards 

1st and 10 at NE 21: D.Reynaud up the middle to NE 19 for 2 yards 

1st and 10 at NE 13: M.Hasselbeck pass short right to C.Stevens for NE 8 for 5 yards 

2nd and 6 at NE 6: M.Hasselbeck pass incomplete short left to J.Cook

R.Bironas kicks 67 yards from TEN 35 to NE-2. M.Slater for NE 17

2nd and 7 at NE 40: T.Brady pass short right to B.Lloyd to TEN 44 for 16 yards

1st and 10 at TEN 44: D. Woodhead right guard to TEN 42 for 2 yards 

1st and 10 at TEN 34: D.Woodhead left end to TEN 28 for 6 yards

2nd and 4 at TEN 28: D.Woodhead left end pushed ob at TEN 26

1st and 10 at TEN 10: S.Ridley left end to TEN 9 for 1 yard 

4th and 7 at TEN 7: S.Gostkowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD

S.Gostkowski kicks 65 yards from NE 35 to end zone, Touchback

3rd and 6 at TEN 24: M.Hasselback pass incomplete short middle to L.Hawkins

4th and 6 at TEN 24: M.Hasselbeck pass incomplete short left 

1st and 10 at TEN 24: B.Bolden up the middle to TEN 15 for 9 yards 

2nd and 1 at TEN 15: B.Bolden right tackle to TEN 13 for 2 yards 

1st and 10 at Ten 13: B.Bolden up middle to TEN 11 for 2 yards 

2nd and 8 at TEN 11: B.Bolden left tackle TEN 11 for no gain

3rd and 8 at TEN 11: B.Bolden left end to TEN 13 for-2 yards 

4th and 10: S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD

S.Gostkowskia 65 yards punt

Timeout 32 at 00.31

1st and 10 at TEN 20:J.Harper left guard to TEN 23 for 3 yards 

END OF GAME, Final Score New England 34-Tennesse 13