SB Nation Boston - Cardinals 20, Patriots 18: New England Upset, Drops Home Opener To Arizonahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-09-17T17:18:54-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30876452012-09-17T17:18:54-04:002012-09-17T17:18:54-04:00Cardinals Vs. Patriots 2012 Blog Reaction: 'That Game Was Painful To Watch'
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<p>Following the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> 20-18 home loss to the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> on Sunday, most Patriot fans were a combination of shocked and angry. New England entered the game as 13-point favorites, and most fans were expecting them to win easily.</p>
<p>They had a shot to win, but missed a field goal as time expired. The unexpected loss -- combined with the missed field goal and a few questionable coaching decisions -- led to some interesting <a target="_blank" href="http://patspulpit.com/">fan reaction at Pats Pulpit</a>.</p>
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<p>"God that game was painful to watch</p>
<p>Brady doesn’t have the ability to throw the ball deep anymore since he spent the last 2 seasons throwing short. Overthrow a wide open Lloyd last week and a wide open Gronkowski this week. Receivers can’t get open so Brady ends up sacking himself multiple times. Atrocious play calling. Get in a rhythm with some 10-15 yard passes and then take a 40 yard shot that’s not even close on 1st down, run for 2 yards on 2nd down, and then miss a pass on 3rd. So many stalled drives." -- Boiler-Up</p>
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<p>"Got a thing of ice cream</p>
<p>Crying in a corner and probably going to eat the whole thing. DONT JUDGE ME!" -- cannedham</p>
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<p>"Special teams gets an F this week" -- calc</p>
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<p>"This game felt like<br>a slow motion action scene where the main character has a bullet charging right for his head, he narrowly dodges it, but then somehow the bullet curves around and hits him anyways." -- New Century Silver</p>
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<p>There is, however, always a bright side.</p>
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<p>"remember when we lost to the redskins in 2003?<br>we all know the ending to that story very well- its has some parallels to this game. maybe we can go on a 21-game win streak" -- freeland1787</p>
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<p><i>For more on the Patriots, head over to <a href="http://patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit </a>and continue to check out <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a>.</i></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/17/3348834/patriots-cardinals-2012Mark Sandritter2012-09-17T13:44:39-04:002012-09-17T13:44:39-04:00Patriots Vs. Cardinals: Bill Belichick, Pats Didn't Give 'Best Effort'
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> head coach Bill Belichick did not shy away from criticizing his team after they lost their home opener, 20-18, to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> on Sunday.</p>
<p><span>Stephen Gostkowski</span> missed a 42-yard field goal in the game's final seconds which would have given the Patriots their second win of the year. After the game, Belichick said "That wasn't our best effort," according to WEEI.com.</p>
<p>Here are the rest of the head coach's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21228286/belichick-wasnt-our-best-effort">comments via WEEI.com:</a></p>
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<p>"They made the plays they had to make to win. We had our chances, in the end we just couldn't make up enough of them. Hopefully we can play better, coach better next week. Do a better job. Just didn't do well enough today. It's as simple as that. In any phase of the game."</p>
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<p>Belichick bristled at the notion of his team being affected by the injury of tight end <span>Aaron Hernandez</span>, saying:</p>
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<p>"You can't go into a game counting on one guy. Everybody's got to be ready to adjust. It's not the first time a player's been injured in a game."</p>
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<p>The Patriots are back in action on Sunday Night when they travel to Baltimore to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> at 8:20 p.m.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Patriots, head over to </i><a href="http://patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit </a><i>and continue to check out </i><a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a><i>.</i></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/17/3347654/patriots-vs-cardinals-bill-belichick-press-conference-2012-nfl-scores-newsJohn.Wilkinson2012-09-16T18:18:20-04:002012-09-16T18:18:20-04:00Cardinals Vs. Patriots: Stephen Gostkowski's Missed Field Goal Sends Patriots To Stunning Loss
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<p>The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> lost to the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>, 20-18, at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.</p>
<p>The Patriots had a chance to win the game on a 42-yard field goal attempt by <span>Stephen Gostkowski</span>. The Patriots kicker had already gone 4-for-4 on field goal attempts during the game before he pushed the kick wide left.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R9YVla2cBS0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1347832917280"></p>
<p>Gostkowski had made two 50+ yard field goals during the game, but had only attempted three clutch (last 2:00 or overtime) game-tying or game-winning field goals in his career before Sunday. Gostkowski was 3-for-3 in those situations before Sunday, with his last clutch kick attempt coming during the 2010 regular season.</p>
<p>The loss dropped the Patriots to 1-1 on the 2012 season. The defeat was the first for <span>Tom Brady</span> in a Patriots home-opener in his NFL career. The Cardinals have won seven of their last eight regular season games, which is tops in the league during that period.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Patriots, head over to </em><i><a href="http://patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit </a>and continue to check out <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/16/3343476/cardinals-vs-patriots-stephen-gostkowski-tom-bradyPat Johnston2012-09-16T16:22:36-04:002012-09-16T16:22:36-04:00Patriots Vs. Cardinals Final Score: Stephen Gostkowski Misses Game-Winning Field Goal, Pats Drop Home Opener, 20-18
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<p><span>Stephen Gostkowski</span> was having a good day. Four attempts, four field goals, including kicks from 46 and 51 yards. So, a 42-yarder should have been nothing, right? Not so fast.</p>
<p>Gostkowski missed a 42-yard straightaway field goal with time expiring, wide left, after the New England Patriots miraculously got the ball back after failing to convert on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game, and the Arizona Cardinals survived, 20-18.</p>
<p>Gostkowski accounted for all of the Patriots' offense through the first 58 minutes of the game, making four straight field goals, before <span>Tom Brady</span> (28-for-48, 316 points, TD, INT) led the Pats on an 11-play, 82 yard drive in just under four minutes (during which Brady was nearly perfect) that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to <span>Rob Gronkowski</span> (six catches, 75 yards). Down by two, the Pats went for two, but <span>Kerry Rhodes</span> defended a pass from Brady to Gronkowski, which would ultimately save the game for the undefeated Cards.</p>
<p>Arizona tried to run out the clock on the ensuing possession, but made a nearly fatal error when they fumbled the ball away to the Patriots, who were already in field goal range. After a Brady incompletion, <span>Danny Woodhead</span> rushed for a touchdown, but Gronkowski was whistled for a hold. Considering how the game ended, that certainly did not help the cause.</p>
<p>Neither team found the end zone in the first half, but two field goals apiece from <span>Jay Feely</span> (38, 47) and Gostkowski (46, 34) made it a 6-6 game at halftime. Arizona scored a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarter while giving up a field goal in the third and a touchdown and another field goal in the fourth to the Patriots, who fall to 1-1 on the season.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Kolb</span> completed 15-of-27 passes and threw for 140 yards and a score. Chris Wells rushed for 44 yards, <span>Todd Heap</span> finished with 62 receiving yards on five receptions.</p>
<p><span>Stevan Ridley</span> rushed for 71 yards on 18 carries and <span>Wes Welker</span> had five grabs for 95 yards. <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> (zero catches) left the game in the first half after an ankle injury.</p>
<p>New England heads out on the road to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> next Monday night.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 9.16.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> </span></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>7</td>
<td class="highlight">20</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> </span></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>9</td>
<td class="highlight">18</td>
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<p><i>For more New England Patriots coverage, visit <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.patspulpit.com/" target="_blank">Pats Pulpit</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/16/3342666/patriots-vs-cardinals-final-score-tom-brady-stephen-gostkowski-kevin-kolb-nfl-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-09-16T15:22:16-04:002012-09-16T15:22:16-04:00Patriots Vs. Cardinals Score Update: Offensive Struggles Have Pats in 13-9 Hole After Three Quarters
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<p>After trading a pair of field goals in the first half, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> hoped to pull ahead at home in the third quarter against the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. On the opening drive of the second half, the Patriots enjoyed a bit of success, driving the ball down to the 34-yard-line of the Cardinals before settling for a 51-yard field goal attempt from <span>Stephen Gostkowski</span>. The kick would be right down the middle, securing the Patriots their first lead of the night, 9-6. </p>
<p>After yet another unimpressive three-and-out, the Patriots were forced to punt from their own endzone. When rookie <span>Nate Ebner</span> failed to protect his left side, punter Zoltan Mesko's kick was blocked by Cardinals' reserve linebacker <span>Quentin Groves</span>, setting up <span>Kevin Kolb</span> and the Arizona offense on the 2-yard-line. Just three plays later, Kolb would connect with <span>Andre Roberts</span> for a touchdown to give the Cards a 13-9 lead. </p>
<p>The Patriots' offense remained unable to get anything going for the rest of the quarter as the underdog Cardinals took a 13-9 lead into the fourth.</p>
<p><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the Patriots, head over to </em><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; color: #193270; font-weight: bold; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" href="http://patspulpit.com/"><font style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;" color="#193270">Pats Pulpit </font></a><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and continue to check out </i><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; color: #193270; font-weight: bold; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" href="http://boston.sbnation.com/"><font style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;" color="#193270">SB Nation Boston</font></a><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/16/3342420/patriots-vs-cardinals-score-update-tom-brady-larry-fitgerald-wes-welkerBenjamin Woodward2012-09-16T15:06:23-04:002012-09-16T15:06:23-04:00Aaron Hernandez Injury Update: Ankle X-Rays Negative For Patriots TE
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<p><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> tight end <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> underwent an X-ray on his ankle after suffering an injury during a game against the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> on Sunday, and the results were negative, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/shalisemyoung/status/247406301456519168">according to Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe</a>. The X-ray showed no bone damage, but further tests will need to be done to figure out the severity of the ankle injury.</p>
<p>Hernandez signed a long-term contract extension with the Patriots recently, and is expected to be a major part of New England's offense going forward. The 22-year-old out of Florida caught 79 passes for 910 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011. He picked right up where left off in Week 1, grabbed six balls for 59 yards and a score in the Patriots' win over the <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tennessee Titans</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; color: #333333;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i>To stay updated with this game, stick with this </i><a target="_blank" href="http://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/12/3323604/new-england-patriots-arizona-cardinals-nfl-week-2"><i>StorySteam</i></a><i>. For more on the Patriots, head over to </i></span></span><a href="http://patspulpit.com/" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #193270; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><font color="#193270" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i>Pats Pulpit </i></span></font></a><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i>and continue to check out </i></span></span><a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #193270; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><font color="#193270" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i>SB Nation Boston</i></span></font></a><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i>.</i></span></span></span></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/16/3342482/aaron-hernandez-injury-update-ankle-x-rays-negative-patriotsCraig Powers2012-09-16T14:40:36-04:002012-09-16T14:40:36-04:00Patriots Vs. Cardinals Halftime Score: Pats, Cards All Tied Up, 6-6
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<p><span>Tom Brady</span> was picked off on his first pass attempt and the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a>' offense stalled out on multiple occasions as the Pats enter halftime tied 6-6 with the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.</p>
<p>Brady finished the half having completed 7-of-12 passes for 75 yards. <span>Wes Welker</span> had one catch for 25 yards, making him the Patriots' all-time leading receiver with his 558th reception in New England. <span>Stevan Ridley</span> rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries. <span>Stephen Gostkowski</span> has connected on two 46-yard field goals, one in the first and another in the second quarter.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Kolb</span> had 59 passing yards on 8-of-15 passing. Chris "Beanie" Wells ran for 22 yards and <span>Todd Heap</span> has three catches for a team-leading 23 yards. <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> has only one catch for four yards. <span>Jay Feely</span> has made two field goals, both of which came in the first quarter.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Intermission</span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> </span></td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0</td>
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<td class="highlight">6</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> </span></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>3</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td class="highlight">6</td>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/16/3342342/patriots-vs-cardinals-halftime-score-tom-brady-kevin-kolb-stephen-gostkowskiGethin Coolbaugh2012-09-16T13:42:16-04:002012-09-16T13:42:16-04:00Patriots Vs. Cardinals Score Update: Arizona Starts Hot, Leads 6-3 After One Quarter in Foxboro
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<p>Sunday's game got off to a hot start for the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> in their road opener on Sunday, driving the ball 60-plus yards on the New England defense for a field goal on the game's opening possession. Quarterback <span>Kevin Kolb</span> was nearly perfect on this drive, completing four of six passes for 29 total yards while helping the Cards convert four first downs. Veteran place kicker <span>Jay Feely</span> would finish off an impressive series for Arizona with a 38-yard field goal. </p>
<p>Things would go from bad to worse in a hurry for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> when <span>Tom Brady's</span> pass was deflected into the air at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by cornerback <span>Patrick Peterson</span>. After a strong stand by the Pats' defense, we Cardinals would settle for another field goal, this time from 47 yards, to secure themselves an early 6-0 lead. </p>
<p>On just the third offensive play for the Patriots, the unthinkable happened. Versatile tight end <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> rolled his ankle and would have to be helped off the field and into the locker room. Stay tuned for updates here on SB Nation Boston...</p>
<p>The Patriots would drive the ball down into Arizona territory but would have to settle for a <span>Stephen Gostkowski</span> field goal to cut the deficit to 6-3. </p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2012/9/16/3341922/patriots-vs-cardinals-score-update-tom-brady-larry-fitzgerald-aaron-hernandezBenjamin Woodward