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Patriots find footing in second half, take down Cardinals

By Lou Scataglia

Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) celebrates the team’s win as he goes to the locker room following the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) celebrates the team’s win as he goes to the locker room following the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was an ugly first half for the Patriots, but good plays by both the offense and defense sealed a commanding win versus the Arizona Cardinals.  In the first half, the Patriots looked like a team that had absolutely no idea what they were doing.

Fortunately, second half adjustments seemed to be the factor in New England sealing a commanding win.  It was an ugly start–penalties, bad offensive execution and a porous defense contributed to the team being down by three entering the break.

Rookie Kevin Harris rushed for a touchdown in the first half as Rhamondre Stevenson was in and out of the lineup with an injury.  Kyler Murray also left the game very early, and reports indicate he torn his ACL.

Colt McCoy played rather well given the circumstances.  He threw for 246 yards but was intercepted in the second half by Marcus Jones, who does everything now for New England.  The 7-6 Pats outscore the lowly Cardinals 17-0 in the second half.

The defense scored a defensive touchdown on a DeAndre Hopkins fumble, and Mac Jones seemed overall more comfortable throwing the ball.  Another rookie running back, Pierre Strong Jr, also added a touchdown.  He and Kevin Harris combined for 96 yards on 13 carries.

If Stevenson and Damien Harris continue to be sidelined, look for New England to turn to Strong and Kevin Harris.  Hunter Henry led the way with 70 receiving yards.  Kendrick Bourne added 47 himself.  Josh Uche tallied a whopping three sacks.

Matthew Judon added 1.5 himself, and Daniel Ekuale and Lawrence Guy also got on the sack-stat-sheet.  Even though the Patriots’ offensive line play was iffy, they only allowed one sack and the team won the turnover battle.

It was truly a tale of two halves for New England, but getting to 7-6 have sprung them back into the 7th and final seed of the AFC playoff picture.

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