In a game that they absolutely, positively had to have, the Patriots used a dominant defensive second half and beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-13.
With the win, the Patriots leapfrogged both the LA Chargers and the NY Jets to take the seventh spot in the playoff race. All three are 7-6, but the Patriots have a better conference record than LA and swept the Jets.
The first half was a very odd affair, with players seemingly going down with injuries on every play. Arizona QB Kyler Murray went down on the game’s third play untouched. It is believed he tore his ACL, which will impact the team for the rest of the season and a good chunk of next year.