The New England Patriots got here out of their bye week and didn’t look refreshed in a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
New England fell to 3-11 whereas Arizona improved to 7-7 with the NFC West nonetheless up for grabs.
Here are two studs and two duds from the Patriots’ loss in Arizona.
STUDS
Drake Maye
The quarterback’s efficiency most likely isn’t worthy of being a “stud” however Maye did what he might with abysmal play-calling and a supporting solid of ability place gamers who didn’t create separation.
Maye went 10-for-10 by way of the air within the first half, although these completions amassed beneath 100 yards. The Patriots additionally solely tried a number of passes greater than 10 yards down the sphere and stored Maye beneath wraps by their very own doing.
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He additionally took one other interception on the stat sheet, although the blame fell on Kayshon Boutte for a blatant bobble that despatched the ball into the palms of Arizona defensive again Sean-Murphy Bunting.
Maye did get the Patriots in the long run zone on a affected person scramble earlier than he flipped a landing go to DeMario Douglas within the fourth quarter. He ran in one other rating on the bottom with beneath two minutes remaining.
Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez drew extra reward in one other anticipated matchup with gifted rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. The Patriots cornerback made the performs of the day with a pair of go breakups in the long run zone in opposition to the Cardinals rookie to restrict factors on the board.
Gonzalez defended three passes on the afternoon and held Harrison Jr. to 2 catches.
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DUDS
Vederian Lowe
Lowe’s troublesome season continued Sunday within the desert. The left deal with began practically a second behind on quite a few performs on a first-half possession in New England territory that included a sack allowed.
Lowe additionally bumped into Maye on a play that prevented the quarterback from diving ahead to first-down yardage within the second quarter. Arizona’s defensive position dominated Lowe from the opening snap.
Alex Van Pelt
New England’s offensive coordinator did not problem the opposing protection in any means. The Patriots had simply 89 complete yards within the first half. He failed to maximise Maye’s play-making abilities and restricted the Patriots from discovering any rhythm.
He additionally known as back-to-back inside runs that New England couldn’t convert within the pink zone on third and fourth down within the second half of the disappointing effort for the Patriots.
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Pass-Rush Penalties
The Patriots handed Kyler Murray and the Cardinals a pair of free first downs. Deatrich Wise Sr. introduced Murray down within the first half, although he dragged him down by the nameplate and earned a flag for a horsecollar deal with.
New England additionally gave again a takeaway when Jonathan Jones intercepted a go deep in Arizona territory within the third quarter. Instead, a roughing-the-passer penalty on Anfernee Jennings stored the drive going.
