The New England Patriots suffered a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
New England fell to 3-12 whereas Arizona, which snapped a three-game shedding streak, improved to 8-7.
Listed below are 4 takeaways from the dreadful day within the desert:
Brutal response after bye week
What modified? Jerod Mayo’s workforce got here out flat and appeared underprepared. New England’s first offensive drive was halted by a holding penalty and capped by a missed 53-yard area objective. Sound acquainted? Vederian Lowe allowed a sack on the second possession, which was an indication of issues to return for the offensive line. The Patriots have been compelled to burn a timeout after a 29-yard run by Antonio Gibson as a result of the offense couldn’t get arrange — an operational problem that shouldn’t floor in Week 15. The protection was gashed on the bottom (163 dashing yards allowed, 5.1 per carry), no play worse than an overrun task by Jabrill Peppers. Arizona transformed 10 of its 15 third-down conversions. The Patriots misplaced the turnover battle (1-0) and did not convert both third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 within the pink space. It was way more of the identical.
It’s going to be an extended three weeks
The journey to State Farm Stadium felt like probably the most winnable of the 4 remaining video games for the Patriots. New England now will get to journey to the Buffalo Payments, who had 45 factors towards the Detroit Lions with eight-plus minutes left. The protection, which simply allowed 6.2 yards per play to Kyler Murray and firm, get to face Josh Allen twice within the subsequent three weeks. Justin Herbert is sandwiched within the center. There’s an excellent probability the Patriots end the season with three wins.
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Drake Maye was able to go
Maye returned from the primary bye week of his profession and once more appeared like the very best a part of the Patriots. He went 10-for-10 for 71 yards in first half earlier than he concluded 19-for-23 for 202 yards passing with one landing. Maye added a dashing landing, too. Positive, he missed a couple of throws, but in addition delivered a wonderful deep ball to Kendrick Bourne within the fourth quarter. It arrange a Patrick Mahomes-like shovel move landing from Maye to Pop Douglas. Maye did flip the ball over for a sixth consecutive recreation, however Kayshon Boutte was absolutely accountable for it as he dropped a ball that hit his fingers and virtually pitched it to Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
A lot for analysis of younger gamers
Mayo stated the Patriots count on to get an analysis of their younger gamers over the past 4 video games. Layden Robinson carried out higher in move safety in his second begin at left guard, however did have a drive-altering holding penalty within the first quarter. He additionally appeared to take a step again in run blocking after transferring our bodies in earlier outings. With regard to rookie wideout Ja’Lynn Polk, he noticed only one goal and completed and not using a catch. Javon Baker (concussion) and Caedan Wallace didn’t play.
Bonus: Christian Gonzalez one other spotlight
The 2023 first-round choose had one other stellar efficiency. New England’s high cornerback allowed three catches on seven targets for 31 yards. Gonzalez noticed loads of Marvin Harrison Jr., and simply took that matchup as he allowed the 2024 first-round wideout to catch simply one in all his 5 targets for 23 yards, per Professional Soccer Focus. Gonzalez was not solely spectacular in protection, although, as he carried out admirably towards the run.
