GLENDALE, Ariz. — The New England Patriots defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-13 on Monday night despite losing starting quarterback Kyler Murray to a possibly critical knee injury in the first quarter. Mac Jones threw for 235 yards, while Raekwon McMillan scored a vital touchdown on a fumble recovery.
New England trailed 13-10 at halftime but tied the game with a short field goal early in the third quarter. McMillan recovered a fumble and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a game-changing play and a 20-13 lead in the third quarter.
Kyle Dugger caused the turnover by stripping DeAndre Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro receiver for the Cardinals, of the football he had just grabbed.
Pierre Strong Jr.’s 3-yard run gave the Patriots a 27-13 lead early in the fourth quarter, after which they relied on their defense to secure a much-needed victory.
During the Patriots’ victory over the Cardinals, Pierre Strong Jr. scored.
Jones completed 24 of 35 passes with an interception as New England (7-6) halted a two-game losing streak and remained in the chase for the AFC playoffs. Arizona (4-9) has dropped five consecutive contests, including the previous three.
Murray was injured on the third play of the game, which instantly altered the tone of the evening. The fourth-year quarterback was flushed out of the pocket and rushing to the right when he attempted to juke past a Patriots defender, but he fell to the turf in apparent discomfort.
Before being carted off the field with a towel thrown over his head, players from both teams encircled the quarterback.
Colt McCoy, 36, has shown to be a solid backup for Murray over the previous two seasons, entering Monday’s game with a 3-2 record since Murray’s injury. At least temporarily, he worked his magic once more, leading the Cardinals to a 13-10 halftime advantage.
Matt Prater’s 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. After Isaiah Simmons intercepted a ball from Jones, who was hit in the arm by rookie Cam Thomas while throwing, they had favorable field position on the ensuing drive.
Late in the second quarter, James Conner blasted his way forward for a 10-yard score, breaking multiple tackles to give the Cardinals a 13-7 lead. Conner finished with a team-best 85 running yards.
The Patriots scored their lone touchdown in the first half on a 14-yard run by rookie Kevin Harris.
»Patriots maintain playoff hopes with victory over Cardinals on Monday Night Football«