Matéria original de Associated Press.
Jimmy Garoppolo fez o que Tom Brady sempre faz: liderar o New England Patriots nas jogadas decisivas rumo à vitória.
O Pats conquistou a liderança do jogo em sua primeira posse de bola e marcou novamente no início da segunda metade, mas o Cardinals os alcançou no placar e o New England precisou de ajuda para chegar ao resultado positivo. Chandler Catanzaro, do Arizona, perdeu um field goal de 47 jardas faltando 41 segundos para o *final *do jogo e assim a equipe de Massachusetts escapou por pouco da derrota em sua primeira partida da temporada. "Foi um erro à moda antiga, mas marcarei o próximo", disse Catanzaro.
Garoppolo completou 24 de 33 passes para 264 jardas, com um touchdown, sem interceptações. "Quando você confia em seus companheiros de time e eles também confiam em você, é fácil não hesitar", explicou o QB. Já Carson Palmer, do Arizona, lançou para 271 jardas e dois touchdown, ambos para Larry Fitzgerald. Um impressionante run de 45 jardas de David Johnson, seguido de uma recepção de Fitzgerald deram ao Cardinals a liderança do jogo durante alguns minutos, próximo do final da partida.
View the best images from the Patriots Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, September 11, 2016.
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft watches warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft greets Patriots fans prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A New England Patriots fan holds up a Tom Brady picture prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches his team prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) huddles up against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Cameron Fleming (71) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown with teammate New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) cheers after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) makes a call against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a field goal as punter Ryan Allen (6) holds during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer loses his helmet as his is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) lines up his kick during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) hits New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) lines up under center David Andrews (60) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with the referees during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) hits Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) meet at mid field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) hugs New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) greets New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick greets his girlfriend, Linda Holliday, after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) unsuccessfully attempts a game winning field goal attempt as punter Drew Butler (2) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) and defensive end Chris Long (95) celebrate their win after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick leave the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) looks at punter Drew Butler (2) after missing a game winning field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patrios won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo speaks after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 23-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
O ex-Patriot Chandler Jones fez um sack em Garoppolo mas o quarterback ainda sim conseguiu armar a jogada para que Gostkowski desse o chute de 23 jardas para a vitória. Foi o ponto decisivo, conquistado faltando pouco mais de três minutos para o fim da partida. "Estou realmente orgulhoso do nosso time essa noite. Nos esforçamos muito em todas as três fases", declarou o técnico Bill Belichick.
Uma penalidade dificultou o final drive do Arizona mas um passe para Jaron Brown levou o Cardinals a uma possibilidade de field goal. Catanzaro errou o chute, entregando o jogo para o Pats.
RUN IMPRESSIONANTE
O run memorável de Johnson foi resultado do uso combinado de todas as "ferramentas" de um running back. Ele correu para longe de um tackler, desviou de bloqueios, tocou o chão para retomar o equilíbrio e correu pela lateral. A jogada foi finalizada com um lançamento para Fitzgerald, que fez o TD. Esta foi a 100a recepção de touchdown de sua carreira.
INÍCIO ÁGIL
Garoppolo teve um início ágil, completando quatro passes de 75 jardas seguidos. Ele foi responsável por um lançamento para TD de 37 jardas para Chris Hogan. Em sua segunda posse de bola, o Pats foi de seu 8 até o 29 do Arizona e um *field goal *de 47 jardas de Gostkowski resultou no placar de 10-0.
SEM DANÇAS
A dança de comemoração de Jones e D.J. Swearinger levou a uma penalidade de 15 jardas mas assim mesmo o Arizona marcou pontos na jogada, levando ao placar de 10-7 na primeira metade da partida.
