Monday 12 September 2016 13:50, UK
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.
MVP
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.
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.
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.
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.
