Mac Jones, Patriots use dominant second half to seal win over Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. — After Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was carted off three plays into the game, Mac Jones and the New England Patriots toughed out a 27-13 victory on “Monday Night time Soccer.”

No workforce has scored extra factors off turnovers than the Patriots (7-6), and that was the method they wanted to beat the Cardinals (4-9). Security Kyle Dugger‘s pressured fumble that linebacker Raekwon McMillan returned 23 yards for a landing within the third quarter was the turning level within the sport. The Patriots then turned an interception by rookie cornerback Marcus Jones on the following Cardinals drive right into a speeding landing.

Cardinals backup quarterback Colt McCoy introduced a way of calm in a scenario that rattled the Cardinals within the rapid aftermath of Murray’s harm, however he was sacked 5 occasions as he performed behind a patchwork offensive line.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have scored 85 factors off turnovers, adopted by the Eagles (80) and Cowboys (80). McMillan’s fumble return for a landing was the workforce’s fifth non-offensive landing of the season, which ties the Cardinals for many within the NFL.

Profitable with protection looks as if it should be the Patriots’ method if they’ve hope of constructing the postseason.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Survival mode. It seldom seems straightforward for the offense, whereas the protection delivered the important thing performs to assist the Patriots draw back within the second half.

Promising pattern: With out beginning operating again Rhamondre Stevenson, who left due to an ankle harm within the first half, the Patriots had no selection however to show to rookies Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. They had been the one wholesome operating backs on the game-day roster with Damien Harris (thigh) a pregame scratch. Harris (14-yard TD to assist Thirty second-ranked purple zone offense) and Robust (44-yard rush) delivered regardless of having performed simply 13 and 10 offensive snaps this season, respectively. Harris turned the primary Patriots rookie with a speeding landing on “Monday Night time Soccer” since Shane Vereen in 2011 towards the Kansas City Chiefs.

QB breakdown: Mac Jones was underneath constant strain, and he as soon as once more let his frustration present early within the third quarter when the Patriots needed to burn a timeout and tv cameras confirmed him shouting an expletive as he headed towards the sideline. The Patriots obtained the ball out of his fingers shortly early; he averaged 2.19 seconds within the first half, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. They opened issues up a bit extra within the second half. Jones completed 24-of-35 for 235 yards, with no touchdowns and 1 interception.

Below-the-radar stat that issues: The Patriots held the Cardinals to 1-for-4 on fourth down, bettering their standing because the league’s No. 1-ranked protection in these conditions.

Troubling pattern: Accidents are piling up. Stevenson (ankle), beginning receiver DeVante Parker (evaluated for concussion) and rookie cornerback Jack Jones (knee) — who was beginning instead of Jalen Mills (groin) — had been all knocked out of motion within the first half and did not return. — Mike Reiss

Arizona Cardinals

Each time he has been known as upon, McCoy has responded. Monday night time was no totally different.

The 13-season veteran was thrust into motion three performs into the primary quarter after Murray was carted off. He threw for 246 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception.

McCoy might be going through a novel alternative: He is set to start out the third-most video games of his profession if he finishes the final 4 as Arizona’s beginning quarterback. He final began six video games in a season in 2011 for the Cleveland Browns.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Kyler Murray. From the second Murray went down early within the first quarter, the quarterback’s harm forged a big shadow over the remainder of the sport.

Purchase/promote on a breakout efficiency: Purchase on huge receiver Robbie Anderson‘s efficiency. The not too long ago acquired Anderson had two catches for 13 yards in his first six video games with the Cardinals however completed Monday with three catches for 44 yards. With the Cardinals’ offense laboring all season, the emergence of one other playmaker might pay dividends for McCoy going ahead.

Pivotal play: The primary-and-10 run by Murray on the sport’s third play lower than 90 seconds into the primary quarter. It left Murray on the bottom with a non-contact knee harm that would change the course of Murray’s profession relying on how he can come again from the harm. — Josh Weinfuss