Cardinals defense eats up Drake Maye, Patriots to snap 3-game skid

GLENDALE — The Arizona Cardinals’ three-game losing streak is officially a thing of the past following their 30-17 win over the three-win New England Patriots.

And you can credit the defense for a whole lot in this one.

Limiting New England’s offense throughout most off the afternoon (until the game was well out of reach) and making quarterback Drake Maye look like a true NFL rookie, the defense ate and ate well throughout four quarters of work.

The biggest accomplishment of the afternoon wasn’t keeping Maye in check nor was it Sean Murphy-Bunting’s third-quarter interception.

It was the absolute show Arizona’s defense put on in money-down situations, not allowing a third-down conversion (0-for-6).

And with the defense setting the tone from the jump, it was the offense that provided the dagger late behind running back James Conner.

After chewing up the Patriots defense behind 71 rushing yards in the first half, Conner added to the stat sheet with a pair of game-sealing touchdown scampers to put the game out of reach.

He ended the afternoon with 110 rushing yards and the two scores on 16 carries. Conner also caught all five of his targets for 28 yards.

The best way to spread holiday cheer, is a @JamesConner_ TD for all to hear 🤩#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/KEDvuCbNTL

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 16, 2024

Hey, Jonah Williams found pay dirt, too!

And speaking of third downs, the offense turned the page with their own conversion rate, going 9-for-14 (64%).

Mixed bag for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

While he completed 76.7% of his throws for 224 yards, Kyler Murray was again held out of the end zone.

He nearly continued his interception streak, too. Had it not been for a roughing-the-passer bailout, the signal caller would have logged his sixth interception in four games.

“He hit me in the head,” Murray said postgame. “Thankfully they called a flag. I got to obviously protect the ball better but was just trying to make a play. Can’t do that.”

The turnover would have likely had some major implications, with the Cardinals backed up on their own eight-yard line.

Whether it counted or not, it was still a tough look for a quarterback who has struggled to keep it away from the other team in recent weeks.

It didn’t help matters that Murray was banged up later on in the second half, either.

The Cardinals still need some help if they hope to get back into the thick of the NFC West title race, but they at least held up their side of the bargain this week.

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