New England Patriots

In-depth New England Patriots Week 1 game analysis

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jimmy Garoppolo (11) New England Patriots – Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

What a great game. Originally, most predicted the Arizona Cardinals would win, but the New England Patriots shocked the world and did well (as they usually do) as the heavy underdog.

On paper, it definitely seemed to be in the Cardinals’ favor. The Patriots were without QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski, and starting LT Nate Solder for the first game of the season.

Can you blame the lopsided prediction?

Here’s a quick review of some of the positives and negatives about Week 1’s matchup:

Positives

Julian Edelman (11) plants before encountering Tyrann Mathieu on Sunday night. Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

More Positives

LeGarrette Blount (29) loses the ball on Sunday night. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Negatives:

Next: Plays of the game

Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scampers against the Cardinals. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Plays of the Game:

Garoppolo’s scramble on 3rd & 15

After a sack that pushed the Patriots back 10 yards, and a failed screen attempt, on 3rd & 15, Garoppolo pump-faked a screen pass to Edelman, scrambled to his left extending the play, and found WR Danny Amendola running from towards the middle of the field for a huge gain. This drive ended in a field goal, however, it was a big play and allowed them to put points on the board.

Somewhat similar to Brady on 3rd & 13 in the Super Bowl finding Edelman in the middle. 

Offensive Hold with under 1:55 left

After driving down field to the NE 35, the Cardinals were in good field position to kick a game-winning field goal. Although, RT Earl Watford was called for holding on Chris Long after dragging him to the ground. The call knocked them back 10 yards, and ultimately came back to bite them when K Chandler Catanzaro (who is now 1 of 5 from 47 yards+) missed the attempt.

Final Notes:

Despite winning the game, there was some questionable clock management by both teams that could have impacted the game’s ending. Fortunately for the Patriots, it was the Cardinals who were bit in the end. Very strange for Bruce Arians to use all three times outs with 4 minutes left in the game.

New England also gets payback for their 20-18 loss in 2012 to Arizona on a missed 42 yard FG attempt. What are the odds?

The all time series between the two teams is now tied 7-7 (Patriots won 6 or the last 7 head-to-head matchups).

Looking ahead:

The Patriots will now head back home for 3 games to face the Miami Dolphins next week, who almost beat the Seattle Seahawks at home.

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