FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Folk #6 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 50 yard field goal to win the game as Jake Bailey #7 and Byron Murphy #33 of the Arizona Cardinals look on at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBORO — Well, they’ll take it.
Nick Folk’s 50-yard field goal lifted the Patriots to an impossibly ugly 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals as time expired Sunday at Gillette Stadium and kept the team’s playoff hopes on life support.
Folk’s kick capped a game-winning drive made possible by Cardinals rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons getting whistled for a personal foul after he drilled Cam Newton at the end of a 14-yard run out of bounds with seconds left. The extra 15 yards pushed the Pats into Arizona territory, after Newton had already thrown a screen pass for minus-1 yard and taken a sack. A short throw and 2-yard run then followed, play-calls that revealed an earned lack of faith in Newton’s ability to give the Patriots better than a 50-50 shot to win, given they put Folk on the fringe of his range.
In a complete reversal of the progress he’d shown the previous four weeks, Newton finished 9-of-18 for 84 yards and two interceptions, plus 46 rushing yards. He also took three sacks. Offensively, the Pats (5-6) averaged fewer than four yards per play and scored touchdowns only off short fields.
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Folk #6 of the New England Patriots kicks a 50 yard field goal to win the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Nick Folk #6 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 50 yard field goal to win the game as Jake Bailey #7 and Byron Murphy #33 of the Arizona Cardinals look on at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Jake Bailey #7 of the New England Patriots congratulates Nick Folk #6 after he kicked a 50 yard field goal to win the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: The Patriots celebrate after Nick Folk #6 kicked a 50 yard field goal to win the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: N'Keal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots screams out in celebration after beating the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Isaiah Simmons #48 of the Arizona Cardinals gets a penalty for shoving Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots into the bench during the third quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots scrambles during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with his defense including Ja'Whaun Bentley #51 during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Jason McCourty #30 of the New England Patriots keeps Dan Arnold #85 of the Arizona Cardinals from scoring but received a penalty after the play during the fourth quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots keeps DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals from making a reception during the second half of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals puts the pressure on Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots during the second half of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots pushes the ball forward trying to get through Jordan Hicks #58 and Trevon Coley #93 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots is hiked the ball during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
Adrian Phillips, center, celebrates his interception with #21 of the New England Patriots, center, celebrates his interception with Jason McCourty, left, and Devin McCourty during a 2020 game. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Patriots safety Adrian Phillips celebrates his interception during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Ja'Whaun Bentley #51 of the New England Patriots and Chase Winovich #50 help Adrian Phillips #21 make an interception during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Damien Harris #37 of the New England Patriots gets tackled by Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals and Markus Golden #44 during the second half of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates Gunner Olszewski #80 punt return in the end zone but the play was called back because of a holding call during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Brandon Copeland #52 of the New England Patriots celebrates helping to stop the Arizona Cardinals from scoring during the second quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Adam Butler #70 of the New England Patriots puts the pressure on Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots chases down Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Robert Kraft meets up with Damiere Byrd #10 of the New England Patriots before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots scrambles as he tries to get past Jordan Hicks #58 and De'Vondre Campbell #59 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Donte Moncrief #14 of the New England Patriots runs for extra yards during a punt return during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: James White #28 of the New England Patriots dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
Patriots running back James White celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
FOXBOROUGH, MA. - NOVEMBER 29: Jordan Hicks #58 of the Arizona Cardinals hits the ball out of Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots hands causing a interception during the first quarter of the NFL game at Gillette Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
But defensively, they dominated — after almost giving the game away.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Pats committed a pair of defensive holding penalties inside their own 15-yard line, which both revived the Cardinals’ eventual game-tying march. Without them, Arizona (6-5) would have turned the ball over on downs and then, at best, settled for a field goal. Instead, running back Kenyan Drake dove ahead for a 1-yard touchdown to knot the score at 17.
On the next series, Newton slung a hopeless pick at the sideline that found cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick with four and a minutes left. Once the Cardinals wound the clock down to 1:47, after being stuffed on a third-and-short run, kicker Zane Gonzalez was wide right on a 45-yard field goal; a miss that nudged the door open for Newton and Co., no matter how hard they tried to swing it shut.
The Pats’ near nightmare finish mirrored a disastrous start.
Newton was hit on his first pass attempt of the game, which caused the ball to soar skyward and eventually settle into the arms of linebacker Markus Golden for an interception. Three plays later, Arizona had its first touchdown, handing off to Drake for his first 1-yard score.
Still woozy from their opening turnover, the Pats offense continued to stumble on its second drive, owing a defensive penalty on third down for reviving what had been a three-and-out. But within a couple snaps, Newton took a sack, and they were eventually forced to punt from midfield.
Shoved up against their own goal line by a marvelous Jake Bailey boot, the Cardinals quickly hummed across midfield. Quarterback Kyler Murray (23-34-1, 170 yards) was at the controls of a machine that chewed up yards with perimeter runs and short throws. It wasn’t until consecutive hurries by Adam Butler and Chase Winovich forced Murray into his first incompletions of the day that Arizona was forced to settle for a field goal attempt.
Gonzalez’s ensuing 47-yarder delivered a 10-0 lead before the first quarter had ended.
Thanks to newly signed receiver Donte Moncrief, the Pats received an immediate spark on their longest kick return of the season. Newton covered half of the remaining 44 yards to the end zone with a pair of completions to Jakobi Meyers (team-high five catches), then pitched to James White on a fourth-down option play to get on the board. White scored both offensive touchdowns for the Patriots, his first of the season.
After a trade of punts, Arizona took over with 6:57 left in the opening half and again patiently traveled 70 yards over 14 plays. But once an 8-yard touchdown pass to KeeSean Johnson, who had been yanked back from the goal line by Butler and Jason McCourty, was overturned, the Cardinals gambled with a fourth-and-goal snap at the Patriots’ 1. No dice.
Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley fired through an open gap and stacked up Drake long enough for defensive tackles Akeem Spence and Lawrence Guy to fight off their blocks and stop him cold. Drake’s non-score also survived a review, sending the Pats into halftime with hope.
That hope immediately fueled another stop that opened the third quarter, which led directly to an apparent 82-yard punt return touchdown, the team’s first of the year. However, Gunner Olszewski’s winding runback was nullified by a blindside block penalty called on rookie linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who delivered the illegal blow at Arizona’s 25-yard line. The ruling took points off the board for the Pats, but couldn’t keep them from tying the game.
After Folk hit a 22-yard field goal, a rejuvenated Pats defense flexed again. Butler tipped Murray’s very next pass on third-and-3, and in a re-enactment of Newton’s pick, safety Adrian Phillips grabbed the floating ball deep in Patriots territory. This time, Newton and Co. cashed in properly, riding six straight runs into the end zone, the last a 1-yard toss to White going left after the offense had opened in an empty formation.
Now trailing 17-10, Arizona again short-circuited in three plays, but the Pats offense did no better, floundering backwards four yards in a matching three-and-out. Then, Murray finally rediscovered the rhythm that facilitated the Cards’ first scores. Teaming with Drake, he accounted for every yard the offense covered on its game-tying drive.
That is except the free yards the Pats handed them.
Jason McCourty’s fourth-down hold at the Patriots’ 12-yard line allowed Arizona to keep marching, before Stephon Gilmore committed his own hold on third-and-goal to generate a fresh set of downs; two costly penalties that yielded a tied game, but didn’t deliver a loss like the last.
Here were the best and worst Patriot performances from Sunday:
Best
DT Adam Butler After missing the Houston loss due to injury, Butler broke out with one sack, three QB hits and a pass deflection.
Short-yardage defense The Patriots stayed afloat with their goal-line stand at the end of the first half, and kept the Cardinals from driving further under the last two minutes with a third-and-2 stop.
Special teams The Pats ripped off their longest kick and punt returns of the season and kicked a game-winning 50-yard field goal.
Worst
QB Cam Newton He was dreadful.
WR N’Keal Harry He finished with zero catches on three targets and committed a holding penalty.
