— Now, when it comes to McBride touchdowns, that’s still a thing. The Cardinals tried a shovel pass on the 1-yard line to McBride to get him his first receiving TD of the season; he was stoned by the Patriots as soon as he got the ball.

With nine more catches for 87 yards, he’s going to get 1,000 yards this season and he’s going to get 100 catches – he is up to 89, extending with every one his franchise record for tight ends – but he’s still searching for that TD catch, although Gannon said the Cardinals are pressing to get him one.

“That’s not the reason he’s gonna get paid,” Gannon said.

McBride continues to downplay his work – “Just try to get open for (Kyler) and he makes it happen” – but he has plenty of hype men in his locker room.

“I continue to say I think he’s the best,” Murray said. “He’s got all the intangibles, all the traits, the athletic ability, loves the game, plays hard as hell. There’s nothing that he doesn’t or can’t do.”

— They will get that TD. Keyshawn Johnson, by the way, got his first 92 receptions in 2001 without a score, but did eventually get into the end zone (with 106 total receptions.)

— Linebacker Baron Browning got his first sack since being traded to the Cardinals, and rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson also got his first NFL sack.

— The roof at State Farm Stadium was open for a fourth game already this season, which seems like a lot. Except it really hasn’t been. The roof was open five times during the 2022 season, and six times in 2020 – all the better to make sure the pandemic virus wasn’t trapped inside. I would guess it’ll also likely be open for the season finale against the 49ers, assuming the weather is OK.

— PHNX reported after the game that the Cardinals are engaged in extension talks with safety Budda Baker. That is something to watch as Baker puts together yet another MVP season.

— The Cardinals had five plays of at least 20 yards – the most in a game since their win in San Francisco in Week 5.

— The Patriots only had six third downs on offense – a crazy-low number – but the Cardinals did not give up a first down on any of them. On the other side, the Cardinals were 10 of 15 on third downs, their best percentage since before the bye.

— The Cardinals held Patriots QB Drake Maye to 14 yards rushing on his four attempts, dropping his potential NFL record average from 9.1 down to 8.5 for the season. It wasn’t a big day for running QBs; Kyler Murray did have five attempts but only 11 yards, far below his now-average of 7.2 yards a carry this season.

— I didn’t get a chance to talk to him – but here’s betting kicker Chad Ryland, who had a rough rookie season in New England last season, very much enjoyed going 3-for-3 in field goals as his team came up with a big win. Punter Michael Palardy, another former Patriot, also had a nice day with his 48.5-yard average.

— The Cardinals scored three touchdowns in the red zone (out of four chances), more than they had scored in the red zone in the previous three games combined (2 for 11).

— The last word belongs to Murray.

“I think offensively we could be better, but (it) definitely feels good to come out with a win. Especially a win where we felt like we should come here and do what we’re supposed to do.”