Check out the communication on the sidelines and while players return to the huddle when the New England Patriots are losing in the second half of games.

Tennessee cornerback Nick Harper (20) picks off a Phillip Rivers pass during the second half. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Are they whining? Do they toss helmets? Are coaches getting an ear full of trash talk from any egotistical superstars?

No, the Patriots simply go about their business knowing that they are going to do the little things right and make the necessary plays to come away with a win. That's why they're 13-0 and look like one of the best teams in the history of pro football.

The Tennessee Titans, on the other hand, lean on a host of young athletes and simply have not found the formula for putting teams away on a consistent basis. Thus, they managed to snag defeat from the jaws of victory, losing 23-17 in overtime against San Diego on Sunday.

Titan running back LenDale White churns for a tough first down on third-and-one. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

The loss could prove most consequential for a team trying to make the playoffs in a loaded AFC. At 7-6 the Titans likely need to win out to give themselves a legitimate shot at the postseason.

Defending world champion Indianapolis looms in Week 17, but the Colts could very well decide to rest several of their key players if they have secured a bye and a home game in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Quarterback Vince Young dismissed the possibility that this loss could come back to haunt his team.

"No, that's just for you," he said. "It's just another one to us. Like I said, we are a great football team. We got better in all phases of the game today."

Tennessee's Chris Brown stretches out to give his team their first touchdown of the day. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Yeah, all phases but the win column.

Tennessee was in position to control their own destiny if they could have made just a few more plays.

"When you play a team as talented as the Chargers, you have to find a way to put them away and we didn't do that," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We let them hang around and make plays."

With the game tied at 3-all in the third quarter, Titan cornerback Nick Harper intercepted a pass and returned it to the San Diego 19-yard line.

Harper has a diamond ring from being on that Colts team from a year ago. He stepped up, made a play and gave his team a better chance.

Three plays later LenDale White fought and grinded his way through the Charger defense to pick up a first down on third-and-one to set up a Chris Brown score from 7 yards out.

San Diego's Antonio Gates touches down with the game-tying touchdown over Tennessee's Michael Griffin. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

After White tripped to the end zone himself on the second play of the fourth quarter, Tennessee enjoyed a 14-point lead.

However, their next two drives resulted in no points and rolled off but 6:25. Thus, lifting the pillow from the air supply of their visitors.

Having said that, one more camera angle on a pass from San Diego's Phillip Rivers to Chris Chambers on fourth-and-five with 1:52 to play would have given officials enough evidence to overturn an on-field ruling. The ball appeared to have moved in Chambers' grasp as it rubbed the turf as he slid down at midfield.

"I saw the ball on the ground," Fisher said. "That happens. (The official) just didn't get the look that he wanted."

Antonio Gates showed why he is one of the top tight ends on the planet by out-maneuvering rookie safety Michael Griffin for the game-tying score with only 13 seconds to go.

After their defense got a huge stop on the first possession of the overtime period, Tennessee was forced into some conservative play-calling while backed up on their own 2. They gained only 3 yards, went three-and-out and put their defense in a hopeless position.

LaDainian Tomlinson leaves Titan defenders David Thornton (50) and Cortland Finnegan in his wake. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

San Diego took over at the Titan 48. Having to trot back on the field exhausted and unable to relinquish even one first down to an offense that also boasts NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, defeat was inevitable from there.

No matter how Young and Co. spin it, this game should have carried with it a playoff atmosphere. The Titans are now looking up at six teams with better records, share the same mark with Buffalo and two more are only a game behind them.

But, as Young, the face of the franchise said, the Titans "are a great football team."