Nine takeaways from the Patriots’ Week 15 loss to the Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Patriots headed to the desert after the bye week hoping to finish strong in the final four games of the 2024 season.

Although they were already eliminated from postseason contention, four good performances from head coach Jerod Mayo’s team could have been a springboard heading into the 2025 offseason. The Patriots are young, from their first head coach and personnel director to their rookie quarterback. They were expected to struggle in their first season under coaches Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf. All you wanted to see from this group over the last four games was a competitive performance against what was, in some respects, the NFL’s strongest remaining team.

Unfortunately, the Patriots couldn’t muster any momentum before two late New England touchdown drives in a 30-17 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday, where Arizona led 23-3 in the fourth quarter. For all intents and purposes, the Patriots weren’t particularly competitive in this game.

The story of the game was that New England ended up 0-6 on third down while being stuffed on consecutive runs that needed a yard, leading to a turnover on downs on a promising drive that started the second half Arizona’s four-yard line ended. On the other hand, the Cardinals offense was 10-15 on third down. Late execution and a mismatch in big plays led to the Patriots’ downfall on Sunday, something coaches and players lamented in the postgame scene at State Farm Stadium.

Until he threw deep to overthrow Kayshon Boutte in the third quarter, rookie QB Drake Maye didn’t attempt a pass beyond 10 yards, with a passing game that emphasized getting the ball out quickly because the Pats were blitzing and heavy man coverage awaited the Arizona defense’s approach. Overall, the Cardinals played man coverage on 34.5% of Maye’s 29 dropbacks and completed 11 blitzes. The Pats approach resulted in Maye having 82 passing yards on 12 completions through three quarters, while averaging just -0.6 air yards per pass attempt in the first half. When the turnovers occurred on downs, the Patriots charged with appropriate offensive linemen for consecutive traditional runs from down the middle. Maye, who entered the week ranked fourth among quarterbacks in rushing yards since taking over as the starter (342), had no opportunity on third or fourth-and-1 to use his mobility as a threat to the defense .

Since their defense allowed 30 points in the loss, the coaching staff may need to see if Maye can lead them to a win. Even though the clock wasn’t up yet, the rookie began to come into his own in the fourth quarter, going 7-for-7 for 120 yards and two scores and his only deep completion of the afternoon on a perfectly thrown go-ball to WR Kendrick Bourne scored.

New England wants to use its final four games to see what it has roster-wise as it sets the table for 2025. The quarterback isn’t the only piece of the puzzle, but it’s time for them to let go of Maye and see if he can rise to the challenge with the game on his shoulders.

Here are nine takeaways as the Patriots fall to 3-11 this season with a loss to the Cardinals in Week 15.

1. SERVPRO Spotlight: Christian Gonzalez’s coverage of Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is a bright spot in the loss

In the silver lining category, Gonzalez continued to make his case for regular season honors with a standout performance against the Cardinals.

Back to the draft: There was a debate about whether the Pats should have selected Harrison to build the roster before signing a first-round quarterback. Ultimately, New England took Maye with the third pick and Harrison Jr. went to Arizona with the next pick. With the promise he has shown, it seems Maye was the right choice.

However, Harrison Jr. was still interesting to see up close and he has a bright future, but Gonzalez was too good. On 21 routes in MHJ’s shadow, Gonzo allowed one catch for 23 yards on five targets with three pass breakups, including two pass breakups in the end zone to prevent touchdowns, and several perfectly covered man coverage reps.