The New England Patriots came out of their bye week and did not look refreshed in a 30-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
New England fell to 3-11 while Arizona improved to 7-7 with the NFC West still up for grabs.
Here are two studs and two duds from the Patriots’ loss in Arizona.
STUDS
Drake Maye
The quarterback’s performance probably isn’t worthy of being a “stud” but Maye did what he could with abysmal play-calling and a supporting cast of skill position players that did not create separation.
Maye went 10-for-10 through the air in the first half, though those completions amassed under 100 yards. The Patriots also only attempted a few passes more than 10 yards down the field and kept Maye under wraps by their own doing.
He also took another interception on the stat sheet, though the blame fell on Kayshon Boutte for a blatant bobble that sent the ball into the hands of Arizona defensive back Sean-Murphy Bunting.
Maye did get the Patriots in the end zone on a patient scramble before he flipped a touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas in the fourth quarter. He ran in another score on the ground with under two minutes remaining.
Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez drew more praise in another anticipated matchup with talented rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. The Patriots cornerback made the plays of the day with a pair of pass breakups in the end zone against the Cardinals rookie to limit points on the board.
Gonzalez defended three passes on the afternoon and held Harrison Jr. to two catches.
DUDS
Vederian Lowe
Lowe’s troublesome season continued Sunday in the desert. The left tackle started nearly a second behind on numerous plays on a first-half possession in New England territory that included a sack allowed.
Lowe also ran into Maye on a play that prevented the quarterback from diving forward to first-down yardage in the second quarter. Arizona’s defensive line dominated Lowe from the opening snap.
Alex Van Pelt
New England’s offensive coordinator failed to challenge the opposing defense in any way. The Patriots had just 89 total yards in the first half. He failed to maximize Maye’s play-making skills and restricted the Patriots from finding any rhythm.
He also called back-to-back interior runs that New England could not convert in the red zone on third and fourth down in the second half of the disappointing effort for the Patriots.
Pass-Rush Penalties
The Patriots handed Kyler Murray and the Cardinals a pair of free first downs. Deatrich Wise Sr. brought Murray down in the first half, though he dragged him down by the nameplate and earned a flag for a horsecollar tackle.
New England also gave back a takeaway when Jonathan Jones intercepted a pass deep in Arizona territory in the third quarter. Instead, a roughing-the-passer penalty on Anfernee Jennings kept the drive going.
