Nick Folk hit a 50 yard field goal as time expired Sunday afternoon, leading the New England Patriots to a 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium.
New England (5-6) kept their dim playoff hopes alive by defeating Arizona (6-5), who is a very close division race out of the NFC West. Patriots quarterback Cam Newton didn’t do alot production wise in the upset win, but the offense did just enough with some opportune field position in the game. Newton was hit on the first possession of the game and was intercepted leading to a Kenyan Drake short touchdown run for a quick 7-0 Cardinals lead. Zane Gonzalez made it 10-0 visitors later in the first quarter with a 47 yard field goal, before James White got the Patriots on the board with a seven yard TD run. Arizona had a chance to extend the lead with a long 7 minute 15 play drive in the second quarter just before the half, but New England stopped Drake at the goal line as time ran out and the Cardinals settled for a three point lead at the break.
It looked like the hosts had taken the lead when Arizona punted away their first possession in the third quarter. Gunner Olszewski would return it for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a blindside block and Folk would tie it up on that drive with a 22 yard field goal. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was then intercepted, and New England would take the lead again when White scored on a one yard run. Drake tied it later in the quarter with another short one yard TD run, as they headed to the fourth even at 17-17. Newton would throw a fourth quarter interception with 4:37 left to play, but the Cards couldn’t take advantage as Gonzalez missed a 45 yard field goal with 1:52 remaining. The big play on the game winning possession was a 14 yard scramble by Newton on a 3rd and 13 from the Patriots own 32 yard line, who then got contacted helmet to helmet as he was going out of bounds that was enforced to the Arizona 39. Newton then hit Demaire Byrd on a passing play of five yards, and White had a short two yard run before the QB then spiked the ball with three seconds left leading to the kick from Folk that was right down the middle.
Newton was only 9-18 passing for 84 yards and two interceptions in the win, while also adding nine rushes for 46 yards. Damien Harris ran 14 times for 47 yards, while White added the two scores out of the backfield (5 attempts, 18 yards). Jakobi Myers led the receiving score with five catches for 52 yards, and Ja’Whaun Bentley had 13 total tackles to lead the defense. Adrian Phillips had the Patriots interception and Adam Butler also had a big game adding one sack, two tackles for loss, and one pass defensed. Murray was 23-34 passing for 170 yards and one interception in the loss for Arizona. He also ran five times for 31 yards. Drake ended with 22 carries for 78 yards and the two touchdowns, while DeAndre Hopkins had five catches for 55 yards. Markus Golden and Dre Kirkpatrick had the interceptions of Newton, while Jordan Hicks had seven total tackles. New England now heads West to face the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday evening at 4:25 p.m.
