FINAL: Patriots 27, Cardinals 13 - McMillan's fumble return TD gives NE win over error-prone Arizona taken at BSJ Headquarters (Patriots)

Patriots

FINAL: Patriots 27, Cardinals 13 - McMillan's fumble return TD gives NE win over error-prone Arizona

By Greg A. Bedard

Dec 12, 2022 • 3:33 pm

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Well, a lot can be said about that game, but we'll start with ... the Patriots were the better team over 60 minutes and deserved to win a game that overshadowed on both sides, especially Kyler Murray leaving after three plays with a season-ending knee injury.

Highlights:

  • Big game for rookies Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris and Marcus Jones — all pressed into service due to injuries to Rhamondre Stevenson and Jack Jones (and Jalen Mills). Strong and Harris each had a rushing TD, and Strong had a 44-yard run. Jones had his first career interception.
  • Patriots had six sacks: three from Josh Uche, 1.5 from Judon. Uche also caused Jones' interception.
  • Mac Jones was solid in this game, completing 68.6 percent of his passes at 6.7 yards per attempt. He did have one interception that was the result of pressure.
  • Patriots were gifted a defensive touchdown when DeAndre Hopkins fumbled without the ball being contacted. Raekwon McMillan returned it 23 yards to give the Patriots a lead they would not relinquish.
  • Patriots were 3 of 10 on third down and 2 of 3 against the league's worst red zone defense.
  • Cardinals had a ton of blown plays in this game, including the decision to go for 4th and 2 at the NE 32 with 36 seconds before halftime, leading 13-7. Colt McCoy threw a poor pass to a wide-open Tre McBride. The Patriots, instead, got their own FG before halftime to trail just 13-10.
  • Patriots jump into the 7th spot in the AFC playoff picture for now.

Regular-season Game #13: Patriots (6-6) at Arizona Cardinals (4-8), 8:15 p.m.
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ari.
TV: ESPN/WBZ-4. Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color), Lisa Salters (sideline).
Radio: 98.5-FM The SportsHub in Boston. **Bedard will be on the postgame show approximately one hour after the game.**
Online: Live Box | Cardinals media notes | Patriots media notes | Flipcard
BetOnline.ag Latest Line: Patriots -2, 44o/u.
AccuWeather forecast: Indoors (roof will be closed).

LAST WEEK (Cardinals are coming off a bye)

Chargers 25, Cardinals 24: LA scored a late touchdown and got the two-point conversion to beat Arizona, which had three drives in the fourth quarter that could have put the game out of reach. The Cardinals took a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter when Kyler Murray threw a short pass to James Conner for a 6-yard touchdown. The veteran had 25 carries for 120 yards, his first 100-yard rushing game in two seasons with the Cardinals.

Bills 24, Patriots 10: New England took an early 7-3 lead, but were completely dominated the rest of the game as the Bills held the ball for almost 40 minutes, and Mac Jones finished 22 of 36 for 195 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots were 3 of 12 on third down and 0 for 1 in the red zone. 

STATS

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ROSTER MOVES

  • Patriots have ruled out WR Jakobi Meyers, CB Jalen Mills and RT Isaiah Wynn.

INJURY REPORT

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PREGAME READING/LISTENING

HOW THE PATRIOTS WIN & BEDARD'S GAME PICK

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