6 moments that defined the Patriots’ 30-17 loss to the Cardinals

The good and bad from the Patriots’ Week 15 game against the Cardinals.

The New England Patriots looked uninspired coming out of their bye week. Going up against an Arizona Cardinals team fighting for its playoff life, the team of head coach Jerod Mayo struggled en route to a 30-17 win.

Here is a Patriots-centric view at the game’s biggest moments.

Moment No. 1: Fumble recovery touchdown

After failing to take an early lead due to a Joey Slye field goal miss, the Patriots eventually fell behind 10-0 in the late first quarter. The second of the two scores came the unconventional way, with Arizona offensive tackle Jonah Williams recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

It would be that kind of day for the Patriots.

Moment(s) No. 2: Christian Gonzalez blankets Marvin Harrison Jr.

Sophomore Christian Gonzalez is the Patriots’ best player, and one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL. And yet, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray decided to throw his way on a regular basis, including twice in the end zone.

The first of the Gonzalez end zone targets came in the late second quarter. Facing a 3rd-and-6, the Patriots’ No. 1 cornerback was able to get his hand in late to break up a pass intended for first-round rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. — a four-point play given that Arizona settled for a field goal afterwards.

On the other side of the half, a similar play unfolded with the same result. Kyler Murray again tried to hook up with Harrison Jr. in the end zone on a 3rd-and-6 but Gonzalez was all over it once more.

Gonzalez has been playing at an All-Pro level all year, but rarely has been targeted. The Cardinals went for a different approach, allowing Gonzalez to showcase his coverage and ball skills.

Moment No. 3: Patriots stopped on 4th-and-1

Following Gibson’s long run, the Patriots had a chance to put some much-needed points on the board. However, their promising-looking drive stalled deep in the Cardinals red zone on a pair of unsuccessful short-yardage plays.

After already failing to gain the necessary yardage on a 3rd-and-1 run — albeit with a questionable spot from the officiating crew — the Patriots went back to the ground game on 4th-and-1. The result was the same: a stop, and this one resulting in a turnover on downs.

Moment No. 4: A questionable roughing the passer penalty

he Patriots defense appeared to make a huge play on the drive following the unsuccessful red zone trip, with cornerback Jonathan Jones capitalizing on a bad Kyler Murray pass. However, the interception — which would have given New England the ball in the red zone again — would not stand.

Instead, outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings was called for roughing the passer. CBS rules expert Gene Steratore, himself a former referee, called it a bad break for the Patriots on the air.

Moment No. 5: Kayshon Boutte drop results in an interception

Few things went the Patriots offense’s way the first three quarters against Arizona, and the unit’s final play of the third period summed things up perfectly: Drake Maye throwing a low but catchable pass to Kayshon Boutte, who lets the ball go through his hands for a Cardinals interception.

Moment(s) No. 6: Drake Maye takes over in the fourth quarter

Down 23-3 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots were very much out of the ball game. They did manage to provide some late fireworks though, courtesy of rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

First came a deep completion from Maye to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. The pair, which had shown some solid chemistry over the last few weeks, connected for a 37-yard pass play that set the Patriots offense up in the Cardinals red zone for only the second time on the day.

What followed was the Patriots’ first offensive touchdown, with Maye once again delivering a big play:

Escaping a deteriorating pocket to his left, Maye appeared to be in a position to head for the goal line with his feet. However, he found a different sort of opening just before crossing the line of scrimmage: DeMario Douglas was left uncovered when safety Budda Baker moved up to get to Maye, allowing for a shovel pass for the touchdown.

It was not the last time Maye would get the Patriots in the end zone. Down 30-10 later in the fourth period, he also scrambled for a score:

It was, of course, too little, too late. However, Maye’s late performance was still a show of potential if nothing else.