New England Patriots 23-21 Arizona Cardinals

By Tom Julian

Image: Chris Hogan and Legarrette Blount both scored to claim the win for the New England Patriots

A missed field goal gifted the New England Patriots and stand in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a 23-21 week one win over Arizona Cardinals.

After a cagey first half in which the Patriots dominated, the Cardinals offence began to show their ability and in the second half,  Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson gave Arizona the lead, exploiting holes in the Patriots' defence.

However with less than a minute remaining and the Cardinals down by two, kicker Chandler Catanzaro missed a routine field goal, handing possession, and victory to New England.

In 140 characters...

Patriots stand in Jimmy Garoppolo led his team beyond all expectation. Cardinals' Fitzgerald shines once more but Arizona rue missed FG.

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MVP

Image: Wide receiver Hogan #15 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 37 yd TD with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

It was a tough ask for Garoppolo to make his first NFL start in Glendale against one of the Super Bowl favourites but he handled the situation like a veteran, throwing for 264 yards without interception.

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Game-changer

Patriots rookie Malcolm Mitchell made a 28 yard gain to set up the Legarrette Blount touchdown.That was one of only two receptions for Mitchell, and settled the Patriots after an uneasy start to the third quarter.

Stat of the Night

100 - Larry Fitzgerald scored two touchdowns to take his career tally to a round century. The wide receiver has spent his whole career with Arizona, but is supposedly considering imminent retirement.

Packers edge out the Jaguars

Three first half touchdowns helps Green Bay to a 27-23 over the Jacksonville Jaguars

Week One Results

Thursday
Carolina Panthers 21-20 Denver Broncos
Sunday
Green Bay Packers 27-23 Jacksonville Jaguars
San Diego Chargers 27-33 Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders 35-34 New Orleans Saints
Cincinnati Bengals 23-22 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 10-29 Philadelphia Eagles
Minnesota Vikings 25-16 Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears 14-23 Houston Texans
Buffalo Bills 7-13 Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-24 Atlanta Falcons
Miami Dolphins 10-12 Seattle Seahawks
New York Giants 20-19 Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions 39-35 Indianapolis Colts
New England Patriots 23-21 Arizona Cardinals

Image: Larry Fitzgerald scored two touchdowns, taking his career total to 100

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
NE 7-0 ARI TD - C Hogan - 37 yd pass J Garoppolo S Gostkowski - Extra point
NE 10-0 ARI FG - S Gostkowski - 47 yd
2nd Quarter
NE 10-7 ARI TD L Fitzgerald - 3 yd pass C Palmer C Catanzaro - Extra point
3rd Quarter
NE 17-7 ARI TD L Blount - 8 yd run S Gostkowski - Extra point
NE 17-14 ARI TD D Johnson - 1 yd run C Catanzaro - Extra point
4th Quarter
NE 20-14 ARI FG - S Gostkowski - 53 yd
NE 20-21 ARI TD L Fitzgerald - 1 yd pass C Palmer C Catanzaro - Extra point
NE 23-21 ARI FG - S Gostkowski - 32 yd

The Game

It was the perfect start for back up QB Garoppolo. On his first drive standing in for Tom Brady, Garoppolo led the Patriots to a touchdown, finding wide receiver Chris Hogan who ran in along the touchline for a 37-yard score.

Gostkowski made it 10-0 and the Patriots looked in control for the majority of the half. It wasn't until the last five minutes that the Cardinals got themselves on the board, Carson Palmer connected with Larry Fitzgerald who dived into the end zone for a three-yard TD pass. 

Legarrette Blount re-established the Patriots' seven-point lead five minutes into the third quarter, bulldozing his way into the end zone from eight yards out. Again the Cardinals fought back through second year running back David Johnson. After Fitzgerald caught a 28-yard pass, Johnson forced his way over the line for the one-yard touchdown to make it 17-14.

Image: Running back David Johnson scored on a one yard touchdown rush to give the Cardinals hope

A Gostkowski field goal early in the fourth quarter extended the Patriots' lead to six but Fitzgerald scored his 100th career touchdown, and second of the night, giving the Cardinals the lead for the first time in the game. After Gostkowski put the Patriots ahead once again, Carson Palmer responded, leading his team down the field, and it was Cardinals kicker Catanzaro who had the opportunity to steal the victory for the Arizona in the final minute. 

However a poor snap led to Catanzaro missing the field goal attempt, handing Garoppolo and the Patriots a tough road win. Bill Belichick's side now have three home games before Brady's return, against the Dolphins, Texans and Bills.  

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