February 1st- Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL. 6:31pm
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (16-2) VS ARIZONA CARDINALS (12-7)
Tonight, the Patriots face off against the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII in a rematch of their Week 16 matchup, in which New England destroyed Arizona 51-7. The Patriots come into the game as heavy 13.5 point favorites.
The Cardinals opened the game with the ball. They gained only one first down and were forced to punt. The Patriots took over and drove 9 plays, 72 yards. Brady completed 4-5 for 52 yards on the drive. On first and goal from the 2, Lamont Jordan plowed into the end zone for a touchdown. The Patriots led 7-0 with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.
On the Cardinals next drive, Warner was picked off by James Sanders, who returned to the Arizona 43. Brady connected with Randy Moss for 23 yards and a first down at the Cardinals 20. Four plays later, Brady found Jabar Gaffney in the end zone for a 7 yard touchdown, extending New England’s lead to 14-0. On their third possession of the game, the Cardinals were forced to punt again. The first quarter came to a close. It was all Patriots early.
NEW ENGLAND 14 ARIZONA 0- END OF 1ST QUARTER
New England drove 13 plays from their own 5 to the Cardinals 20. However, the Patriots failed to convert on a 3rd and 11 from the Arizona 29. They settled for a Steven Gostkowski 37 yard field goal. New England now led to 17-0 with 10:09 remaining in the first half.
The Cardinals finally got on the board driving 10 plays, 45 yards. A Warner pass intended for Anquan Boldin fell incomplete on 3rd and 8 from the New England 24. The Cardinals were forced to settle for a 41 yard field goal by Neil Rackers. The Patriots lead was narrowed to 17-3 with 6:11 remaining in the half. New England answered with a 6 play, 59 yard drive, capped off by a Brady to Moss 5 yard touchdown connection. The Patriots now held a commanding 24-3 lead with 3:21 remaining in the half.
Arizona’s offense was finally getting on track as Warner led them on a 9 play, 78 yard drive. Warner found Larry Fitzgerald for a 20 yard touchdown. New England’s lead was now 24-10 with 0:38 remaining in the half. Brady completed 3 of 4 passes for 45 yards setting up a 58 yard field goal attempt by Gostkowski. Gostkowski’s field goal missed wide right and the first half came to an end with the Patriots leading 24-10.
New England outgained Arizona 293-153 in the first half. Tom Brady has completed 21-27 passes for 257 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kurt Warner ended the first half 11-19 for 146 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
NEW ENGLAND 24 ARIZONA 10- HALFTIME
STAY TUNED FOR THE SECOND HALF