James Conner runs for 2 TDs and Cardinals snap a 3-game skid by beating Patriots 30-17

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — James Conner ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns, offensive lineman Jonah Williams recovered a fumble for the first score of his NFL career and the Arizona Cardinals used a stellar defensive performance to beat the New England Patriots 30-17 on Sunday.

The win kept the Cardinals (7-7) on the fringe of the playoff hunt and snapped a three-game losing streak.

New England (3-11) has lost four straight.

The 312-pound Williams scored when he fell on a ball that was fumbled into the end zone, giving the Cardinals a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The right tackle was added to the injury report early Sunday because of an illness, but played anyway.

Chad Ryland added field goals from 49, 35 and 40 yards. Kyler Murray completed 23 of 30 passes for 224 yards, while Trey McBride caught nine passes for 87 yards.

Conner's 1-yard touchdown run with 10:39 left pushed the Cardinals ahead 23-3. The Patriots responded with their only touchdown of the day: a 3-yard shovel pass from Drake Maye to DeMario Douglas, cutting the lead to 23-10.

The Cardinals' defense thrived for most of the afternoon despite a tough start, losing two starting linebackers to injuries on the opening drive. Mack Wilson Sr. (concussion) and Jesse Luketa (thigh) were hurt within the first five plays of the game and didn't return.

New England couldn't take advantage until the fourth quarter after the game was out of reach. Maye completed 19 of 23 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a late 5-yard touchdown.

The Patriots finished with 311 total yards, but nearly half came in the final quarter.

Arizona pushed ahead 16-3 with 9:07 left in the third on Ryland's third field goal, this one from 40 yards. The Patriots moved the ball 66 yards on the ensuing drive, but the Cardinals made two stops at their own 4-yard line to force a turnover on downs.

The Cardinals caught a break late in the third when Murray appeared to throw an interception deep in Arizona's own territory, but New England's Anfernee Jennings was called for roughing the passer after hitting Murray on the helmet while going for the sack.

Murray was evaluated for an injury, but returned to the game.

Williams scored his first NFL touchdown thanks to a fortuitous bounce. Greg Dortch fumbled on a run just short of the goal line, but the right tackle fell on the ball just before it went out the back of the end zone. Conner got the drive started with a 53-yard run.

Arizona added a field goal just before halftime for a 13-3 advantage at the break. Maye completed all 10 of his passes in the first half, but they gained a total of just 71 yards.

Patriots: OL Cole Strange (knee) was activated from IR this week, but was inactive Sunday. ... LB Christian Ellis (head) left in the fourth quarter.

Cardinals: CB Max Melton (shin) left in the second half. ... RB Trey Benson (ankle) left in the fourth quarter.

Patriots: At Buffalo next Sunday.

Cardinals: At Carolina next Sunday.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) can't make the catch as New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye (13) celebrates his field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) runs after the catch as New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams recovers a fumble for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cooper Rush and the Dallas offense seem to be rounding into form, although it is almost certainly a matter of too little, too late for the Cowboys playoff hopes.

The 31-year-old Rush threw a career-high three touchdown passes on Sunday and Rico Dowdle bested his career high in rushing for the third straight week as the Cowboys steamrolled past the favored Carolina Panthers 30-14 on Sunday.

Rush has now thrown eight touchdown passes in the past four games, which include three Dallas wins and a heartbreaking 27-20 loss to Cincinnati on Monday night following a special teams blunder that led to the Bengals winning points.

It’s the best stretch of Rush’s nine-year NFL career.

“I think I'm a better player than I was in 2022, for sure,” Rush said. “I think some fundamentals have been cleaned up. I have been around a long time, but getting starts does matter. So that's important.”

Coach Mike McCarthy praised Rush after Sunday's game in which he completed 18 of 29 passes for 214 yards and helped the offense pick up 410 yards and 24 first downs.

“A lot of poise,” McCarthy said. “He commands the huddle and keeps us in really good plays.”

The Cowboys (6-8) still trail the Washington Commanders, a 20-19 winner over New Orleans, by three games in the hunt for the final NFC wild-card spot with three games remaining in the regular season, so the chances of reaching the postseason are miniscule even if Dallas runs the table.

But the improved balance on offense gives the Cowboys something to look forward to heading into next season.

Dowdle is emerging as a talented running back, topping his career high in rushing for the third straight week after racking up 149 yards on the ground on 26 carries.

Granted, it came against the league's worst run defense, but the undrafted rookie continues to run with more confidence with each game.

“He's doing a really good job, breaks tackles and has a violent run style,” McCarthy said. “His decision-making has been excellent.”

And Lamb continues to fight through a shoulder injury, despite the fading playoff hopes.

He caught nine passes on Sunday for 116 yards and a touchdown, reaching 1,000 yards receiving for the fourth time in five seasons.

“He's just a tough, talented dynamic football player,” McCarthy said. “You can't find enough ways to get him the ball. The beauty of CeeDee is you can line him in the backfield and give him the ball 10 times. He's a natural runner with the football. We just have to continue to find ways to get him the ball.”

Lamb said he believes defenders are gunning for his shoulder, knowing that it is has been bothering him. On Sunday, Panthers safety Xavier Woods was flagged for a hit on Lamb as he was attempting to make a catch.

But he said it's important to him that he continues to play through his injury because his teammates are counting on him — even with the playoffs seemingly out of reach.

“I always have that mentality," Lamb said. “Obviously, offensively, the guys are looking for me as a spark. So with that, I’m going to continue to do that. And I look at myself as a spark as well. I feel like I can personally score from anywhere on the field no matter how deep. With that being said, I want to be a threat every time I touch it.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb celebrates after scoring with quarterback Cooper Rush against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)