Arizona Cardinals offense falls apart in 3rd quarter of loss to Patriots

The Arizona Cardinals had three drives in the third quarter of Monday’s 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots and each one ended in a frustrating manner.

Following a field goal for the Patriots to tie the game at 13, Arizona had 3rd-and-4 on New England’s 39-yard line and offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum was flagged for a false start. After a four-yard run by James Conner, the Cardinals went for it on 4th-and-5.

Quarterback Colt McCoy, filling in for the injured Kyler Murray, threw a good ball in the direction of Hollywood Brown but the pass was dropped on a diving attempt for a turnover on downs.

Hollywood Brown… 😬🏈 #MNF pic.twitter.com/WmKzMnMwR6

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 13, 2022

The Patriots went three and out, but on the Cardinals’ second play of their new drive, wideout DeAndre Hopkins caught a ball and fumbled it after a gain of four yards. The ball was scooped and scored by Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan.

Points by the @Patriots defense! 💪

📺: #NEvsAZ on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/UKeBTYKCRY pic.twitter.com/8PHgaMkuyV

— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2022

Now down 20-13, the Cardinals found some momentum through three first downs until McCoy was hit on a throw and intercepted by New England cornerback Marcus Jones.

Picked off by Marcus Jones 🙌

Who’s got @Patriots defense in @NFLFantasy?

📺: #NEvsAZ on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/UKeBTYKCRY pic.twitter.com/FfVp5WO3Ds

— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2022

The Patriots extended their lead to 14 with a touchdown on the ensuing drive, effectively putting the game of reach for an offense that failed to click all night.

Murray suffered a non-contact injury to his knee on the third play of the game and was ruled out. McCoy completed 27 of his 40 pass attempts for 246 yards and that interception.

He was sacked six times and on four different occasions in the fourth quarter alone.

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