The Arizona Cardinals snapped their three-game losing streak on Sunday, taking advantage of a young, struggling New England Patriots team. James Conner rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, the defense did not allow a third-down conversion and the Cardinals picked up a 30-17 win at State Farm Stadium.
Trey McBride caught nine passes for 87 yards as the offense went 10-for-15 on third down and finished with 395 yards.
It was the Patriots’ fourth consecutive loss.
Here is how it went down.
LB Mack Wilson hurt, taken to locker room
The Pats won the toss and took the opening kickoff. Wilson blitzed and made contact with the running back who was blocking. Upon contact he went down like a player who had a concussion. Both teams cleared the sidelines to check on him (he played for the Patriots before this season), but he was able to come off the field under his own power and went straight to the locker room.
Pats miss FG
Joey Slye missed a 53-yard field goal wide left, leaving the Pats scoreless after going 36 yards on six plays to open the game. Drake Maye completed all four of his passes for 36 yards on the drive.
Cardinals 3, Pats 0
After the missed field goal, Kyler Murray threw a 23-yard pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. after a bad snap. They added a four-yard play to Michael Wilson and a two-yard play to Trey McBride, and that was enough for Chad Ryland to hit a 49-yard field goal to give the Cardinals the lead.
Baron Browning gets 1st sack of season
Don’t get your tinsel in a twist 😤 pic.twitter.com/islzcg7hph
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024
The Cardinals forced a three-and-out. Julian Okwara tackled Rhamondre Stevenson for a two-yard loss and then Browning sacked Maye for a nine-yard loss. It was his first sack since the Cardinals traded for him and his first of the season.
JONAH WILLIAMS TD! Cardinals 10, Patriots 0
PUT HIM ON THE NICE LIST IMMEDIATELY.@JonahGWilliams pic.twitter.com/U539M2bLpD
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024
Greg Dortch fumbled the ball on a run play before the end zone and Williams, the Cardinals’ starting right tackle, recovered it in the back of the end zone for the score. James Conner started the drive with a 53-yard run.
Darius Robinson gets 1st career sack!
On a third-down play, Robinson tackle Maye for a zero-yard sack, the first sack of his NFL career.
Cardinals 10, Pats 3
The Pats got on the board with a 50-yard field goal by Slye. After Robinson’s sack, Rhamondre Stevenson picked up first down on fourth down and Marcus Jones had an 18-yard catch.
Cardinals 13, Pats 3
Ryland made a 35-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in the half. It came after cornerback Christian Gonzalez made a great play to break up what would have been a touchdown by Harrison. It was set up by Dortch’s 39-yard catch-and-run.
Cardinals 16, Patriots 3
They opened the second half with a 40-yard field goal after a 10-play, 49-yard drive. Gonzalez broke up another pass to Harrison in the end zone. Dorth had a 13-yard catch after Trey McBride was called for holding.
Goalline stuff!
wrapped him up like a 4th down present 🎁 pic.twitter.com/mYvruBF1A9
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024
Inside the five, on two consecutive plays with less than a yard to get the first down, the defense stopped Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson for a turnover on downs.
Murray picked off, but penalty negates it
Murray threw an interception but Jennings was called for roughing the passer to nullify it. But Murray had to come out and be evaluated for a concussion. He passed tests.
PICK!
the…the…the…THE GRINCH 😈@seanbunting_ pic.twitter.com/Iwzrr7wFyA
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024
Maye threw a pass to Kayshon Boutte, who did not haul it in, bobbling the ball and having is come off his hands and into the arms of Sean Murphy-Bunting at the 42. He returned it to the New England 45.
Cardinals 23, Patriots 3
Dashing through the end zone, in a one-horse open sleigh, over the fields we go, @JamesConner_ laughing all the way#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/3GspjfojFb
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024
James Conner scored a one-yard touchdown with 10:59 to go in the game to cash in on the turnover. McBride had a 29-yard catch and Conner got to the one-yard line with a 12-yard catch.
Cardinals 23, Patriots 10
Maye’s shovel pass to Demario Douglas was good for a three-yard touchdown and pulled the Pats within 13 points. It was his sixth consecutive game with a touchdown pass.
Cardinals 30, Patriots 10
The best way to spread holiday cheer, is a @JamesConner_ for all to hear 🤩#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/E23FXCnlc7
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 16, 2024
Conner had his second one-yard touchdown run of the season after he had a 17-yard play to get over 100 yards for the game.
Cardinals 30, Patriots 17
Maye scrambled for a five-yard touchdown with 1:55 left in the game.
Backups in
The Cardinals put in Tune at quarterback and DeeJay Dallas at running back to finish the game.
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