NFL: With defense, Patriots defeat Cardinals

New England was down 13-10 at halftime but tied it at 13 early in the third quarter with a short field goal. Later in the same period, the Patriots got the game-changing play to go up 20-13 when McMillan recovered a fumble and ran 23 yards for the score.

Kyle Dugger forced the loose ball by stripping three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who caught the pass.

The Patriots extended the lead to 27-13 early in the fourth period on a three-yard carry by Pierre Strong Jr., and relied on their defense for the rest of the game to complete the much-needed win.

Jones completed 24 of 35 passes with an interception and New England (7-6) ended a two-game losing streak to stay in contention for a postseason spot in the American Conference.

Arizona (4-9) has lost five of six games, including the last three, and last night suffered seven sacks at the hands of opposing defensive backs.

Kyler Murray at risk of losing the rest of the year

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was helped to get off on a stretcher on the team’s first offensive play with a knee injury in last night’s game against the New England Patriots.

The fourth-year quarterback ran to right on the third offensive play. He tried to overcome the defensive but collapsed in apparent suffering.

The Cardinals confirmed he injured his knee. The quarterback did not return to the game.

“It’s tough,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury told “Monday Night Football” after the first quarter. “He will be out for the rest of the game. That is all I know at the moment. You hate to see that.”

Players from both teams surrounded Murray before he emerged on the gurney.

Murray will have an MRI today, but initial studies indicate a possible rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ending his year.