The Patriots are dreaming of the playoffs after beating the Cardinals on Monday Night Football while Arizona wants a new head coach.
Monday Night Football was far from an instant classic, but it could have a big impact on the 2022 season and beyond.
That’s because the Patriots‘ win put them in the final playoff spot in the AFC with four weeks to go.
It may also have been the final straw for the Arizona Cardinals and Kliff Kingsbury.
After injuries grabbed the headlines in the first half, New England ran away in the second half with a 27-13 victory.
Here’s how NFL Twitter reacted:
Best memes and tweets after the Patriots beat the Cardinals
The Patriots woke the fuck up during halftime. Need to know what that speech was. This is completely night and day what we’re seeing. IM READY TO SEE THEM GO ON A RUN!!! #RoadDome #7thSeed
— Babz (@BabzOnTheMic) December 13, 2022
Nobody in the NFL has more sacks in the last seven weeks (which includes the Patriots’ bye) than Josh Uche. That’s his ninth.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) December 13, 2022
Joe Uche broke out in his third year of high school.
Josh Uche broke out in his third year at Michigan.
Josh Uche, who has 10 sacks in the last six games, has broken out in his third year with the Patriots.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 13, 2022
Whole game changed when Tavai broke up that 4th down pass. Words I legitimately never thought I’d type.
— McGarvin L (@PatriotsPOV) December 13, 2022
Multiple Patriots rookies have scored a touchdown in the same game for the first time since Christmas Eve 2006, when Laurence Maroney and David Thomas did so against the Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/ovmx1EmjXz
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 13, 2022
The 2022 Cardinals are the exact type of team that would get blown out by the 2022 Patriots at home.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) December 13, 2022
NFL Twitter has never been more universally correct as it was when it hammered the Cardinals for giving Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim extensions during the offseason.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) December 13, 2022
A poorly-built roster, poorly coached. I’ve seen enough of this era of Cardinals football.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 13, 2022
Fan apathy is going to be a serious issue if Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury return next season.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) December 13, 2022
For the Patriots, the performance of Josh Uche it easier to put the concerns over injuries to DaVonte Parker, Rhamondre Stevenson and Jack Jones out of mind. New England jumped the Jets and Chargers in the AFC standings to make the night even sweeter.
For the Cardinals, the devastating injury to Kyler Murray after just a couple plays was an omen for more painful viewing as the game went on. Arizona hasn’t won a home game since October, so they may be used to it by now, but that doesn’t make it any easier to witness futility like the type on display in 2022.
Despite the injury to Murray, Arizona went into halftime with a lead. Two Matt Prater field goals and a James Conner touchdown run from 10 yards out kept them ahead of the Patriots, who managed 10 points, including a last-second Nick Folk field goal going into the break.
The wheels fell off the Cardinals in the second half while the Patriots rolled. Folk knocked through another field goal, Raekwon McMillan returned a fumble 23 yards for a fumble and Pierre Strong punched in a three-yard touchdown as New England pulled away.
