Joe Imel/Daily News TITANS2 pacman Jones struts into the endzone on an 81 yard kick return Sunday in the Titans loss to the Patriots at LP Field in Nashville.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans came up short in their bid to make the playoffs.

The Titans needed one more victory combined with Jacksonville, Cincinnati and Denver losses to become the first 0-5 team ever to reach the postseason.

Jacksonville, Cincinnati and Denver all did their part.

But 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde was the quarterback creating history instead of rookie Vince Young with a late touchdown pass for an NFL record, and the New England Patriots ended Tennessee’s stunning run with a 40-23 victory Sunday.

And it hurt.

&#8220You always talk about all we’ve got to worry about is what we do,” Titans receiver Bobby Wade said. &#8220When you can’t handle your end of the part, it’s kind of real frustrating.”

The Titans (8-8) led only once, off a field goal on their first drive. Then the Patriots (12-4) scored the next 19 points and held Tennessee to three field goals and a 23-yarder missed right on four trips inside the New England 10.

Corey Dillon ran for two touchdowns, Tom Brady threw for one and 225 yards and Laurence Maroney added a late TD run of his own as the Patriots won their third straight game.

Bill Belichick left Brady in through three quarters, then let Testaverde finish off with three passes, the last a 6-yarder to Troy Brown for a TD pass in his 20th straight season. A fitting follow to Doug Flutie’s drop kick in last year’s regular season finale.

&#8220I’m glad we won,” Brady said. &#8220We put a lot into it, and 12 wins is a pretty good year. It doesn’t mean much going into next week. But the 12 wins are hard-fought, and this team has really responded well to adversity.”

The Titans had relied on big plays and four comeback victories in their streak. They got an 81-yard punt return for a TD by Adam &#8220Pacman” Jones just before halftime, and Young added another highlight with a 28-yard TD run on third-and-3 in the third quarter to pull within 26-23.

Travis Henry ran for 98 yards on 12 carries in the first half only to finish with 102 on 21 carries. The Titans finally ran out of magic and managed only 66 yards offense in the fourth quarter. Asante Samuel intercepted Young twice in the quarter, and the Patriots finished with five sacks.

&#8220We just had to do our part, get it done with, and we failed at that,” Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher defended his team for an amazing season.

&#8220We have a lot to look forward to,” he said.

With Indianapolis beating Miami, the Patriots stayed at the No. 4 seed in the AFC and will host the New York Jets in a wild-card game.

&#8220The most important thing was to finish the season on a strong note,” Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour said. &#8220It is obviously good to have momentum going into the playoffs. This is when the season really starts.”

The Patriots will have to see how safety Rodney Harrison is after leaving the game with an injury to his right leg in the first half. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (right ankle) and tight end Benjamin Watson (left knee) each missed their third straight game.

A field already sloppy from the Music City Bowl on Friday was a muddy mess with rain that fell through the first half. The teams combined for 248 yards on nine penalties each.