FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots lost for the first time in 11 home openers at Gillette Stadium. They may have also lost one of their most dynamic and dangerous offensive weapons for a while.
Tight end Aaron Hernandez injured his right ankle midway through the first quarter of New England’s 20-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and did not return.
He left the stadium after the game wearing a walking boot.
“Hopefully, he’s fine,” said fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 2:06 remaining before the Patriots failed on the 2-point conversion pass to Gronkowski that would have tied the game. “He’s a great player and we need him.”
After a sluggish start, New England (1-1) made it 20-12 on Stephen Gostkowski’s fourth field goal of the game, a 53-yarder, with 6:45 to play. Following a punt by Arizona (2-0), Brady capped an 11-play, 82-yard drive with the touchdown pass to Gronkowski.
The Patriots got the ball back with 1:01 to play, though, after Arizona running back Ryan Williams fumbled and Vince Wilfork recovered. But Gronkowski stalled any momentum New England may have mounted when he was whistled for holding, a call that nullified a 30-yard run into the end zone by Danny Woodhead, and a false start two plays later.
“It felt like it was a clean block, like my hands were inside,” Gronkowski said of the holding call. “The penalty (flag) was thrown, you guys saw it too. You probably saw the replay, so you can tell me if my hands were outside or not.”
Instead of trying to move closer, New England was content to try and win the game on a 42-yard field goal with 6 seconds left, but Gostkowski missed it wide left.
“You get opportunities like that not very often and I have to do a lot better job of coming through for the team,” said Gostowski, who had been 3 for 3 in his career on field goals that would have tied or won the game in the final two minutes. “I had a chance to win it and it came down to me and I didn’t pull through and it stinks.”
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak against Arizona and was New England’s first in a home opener since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002.
On the Patriots’ third offensive play of the game, wide receiver Julian Edelman caught a short screen pass from Brady and followed Hernandez’s block up the left side before landing awkwardly on the tight end’s right leg.
Hernandez, who recently signed a long-term contract extension, was writhing in pain on the field for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room.
With Hernandez sidelined, New England’s wasn’t its usual explosive self. Brady was just 14 of 25 for 150 yards through three quarters before leading a fourth-quarter charge.
“Aaron is in there almost every play, so it changes quite a bit,” Patriots receiver Wes Welker said of their game plan. “You have to go to a different attack and go out there and play the way we need to and execute the way we need to and today just wasn’t enough.”
The game was tied at 6 at halftime on two field goals each by Gostkowski and Jay Feely.
The Patriots took their only lead on Gostkowski’s 51-yarder 2 minutes into the third quarter. But the Cardinals responded with consecutive touchdowns to go ahead 20-9 on Kevin Kolb’s 2-yard pass to Andre Roberts, after they got the ball at the 2-yard line on a blocked punt, and a 5-yard run by Kolb.
“Nobody really gave us a chance,” said Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, whose team was a two-touchdown underdog, “but our guys believed they could do it and it’s great to see them operate that way.”
Kolb filled in for John Skelton, who sat out with a sprained right ankle, and completed 15 of 27 passes for 140 yards with one sack and no interceptions.
Brady was 28 for 46 for 316 yards and extended his streak to 34 games with at least one touchdown pass, fourth-best in NFL history. But the Patriots didn’t try to move the ball into better position for the final field goal attempt.
“It’s just a decision that Coach (Bill Belichick) makes,” Brady said. “We shouldn’t have been leaving it up to that particular situation. We were fortunate to get that defensive turnover there late. We just came up short.”
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Stephen Gostkowski, Justin Bethel
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) lies on the field alongside Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (31) after missing a field at the end of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. Patriot’s Zoltan Mesko (14), the holder on the play, reacts. The Cardinals won 20-18.
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Michael Vick, Danny Watkins
From left, Philadelphia Eagles’ Danny Watkins, Michael Vick and Demetress Bell celebrate after Vick’s rushing touchdown as Baltimore Ravens’ Albert McClellan walks by in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 24-23.
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Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees (9) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Panthers won 35-27.
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Tony Romo
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo yells out from the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Arian Foster, Paul Posluszny
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) stiff-arms Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) to get extra yardage during the second half of an NFL preseason football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 27-7.
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Philip Rivers, Derrick Morgan
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws under pressure from Derrick Morgan during the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in San Diego.
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Matt Cassel, Spencer Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) runs under pressure from Buffalo Bills’ Spencer Johnson (91) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Bills won 35-17.
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Santonio Holmes
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) celebrates as he runs through the end zone after catching a pass for touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012.
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Trevor Scott
New England Patriots defensive end Trevor Scott (99) reacts while Patriots fans, top, cheer prematurely as kicker Stephen Gostkowski (not shown) misses a last-second field goal during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012.
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Craig Dahl, Robert Griffin III
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs for a touchdown past St. Louis Rams strong safety Craig Dahl during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in St. Louis.
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Quentin Groves, Kerry Rhodes
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Quentin Groves (54) and safety Kerry Rhodes (25) join teammates in celebrating their 20-18 win against the New England Patriots in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass.
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Russell Wilson
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, throws under pressure from Dallas Cowboys’ Demarcus Ware in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Arian Foster, Kyle Bosworth
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) gains yardage before being tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Kyle Bosworth (56) and others during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. Houston won 27-7.
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Dwight Lowery
Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Dwight Lowery (25) grabs a fan that ran onto the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. The fan was removed from the stadium by security.
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Junior Seau
Fans react as former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau’s No. 55 jersey is retired before NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in San Diego.
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Martellus Bennett
New York Giants’ Martellus Bennett (85) runs over Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Brandon McDonald (33) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 41-34.
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Steve Smith
Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith (89) runs past New Orleans Saints players during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Panthers won 35-27.
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Andrew Luck
Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck reacts as he runs off the field after the Colts defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-20 in an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012.
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Jeron Johnson, Chris Maragos
Seattle Seahawks’ Jeron Johnson, right, celebrates his touchdown with Chris Maragos against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Tom Coughlin, Greg Schiano
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano, left, and New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, right, talk after an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 41-34.
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Cam Newton
Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (1) reacts after running for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Panthers won 35-27.
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Rolando McClain, Matt Shaughnessy
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain (55) and defensive end Matt Shaughnessy (77) walk on the sideline in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Miami, Fla. The Dolphins won 35-13.
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Brent Celek
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek, left, is hammered by Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pierce (31) after making the catch during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Philadelphia.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick, Justin Houston
Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs’ Justin Houston (50) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Bills won 35-17.
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Mario Manningham, Erik Coleman
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mario Manningham carries the ball past Detroit Lions strong safety Erik Coleman, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012.
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Antonio Brown, LaRon Landry
New York Jets free safety LaRon Landry (30) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. Landry was penalized 15-yards for a horse collar tackle on the play. The Steelers won 27-10.
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Jackie Battle
San Diego Chargers running back Jackie Battle fights for yardage while trying to score against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ 38-10 victory in a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in San Diego.
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Jake Locker, Shaun Phillips
Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, right, is hit by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in San Diego. The Chargers won 38-10.
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LaMarr Woodley, Mark Sanchez
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) sacks New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 27-10.
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Marshawn Lynch, Anthony McCoy
Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch is hit by Dallas Cowboys’ Dan Connor, rear, and Danny McCray as Seahawks’ Anthony McCoy blocks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 27-7.
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Isaac Redman, LaRon Landry
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman (33) dives between New York Jets free safety LaRon Landry (30), defensive back Kyle Wilson (20) and over strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Pittsburgh.
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Sam Bradford, Chris Givens
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, right, and Chris Givens celebrate their 31-28 victory over the Washington Redskins in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in St. Louis.
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Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, calls out to quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Billy Cundiff
Washington Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff (5) misses a 62-yard field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in St. Louis. The Rams won 31-28.
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Tony Romo
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks of the field after a 27-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Eli Manning
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks to pass as teammates Sean Locklear (75) and Kevin Boothe (77) block during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J.
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Robert Griffin III, Kendall Langford
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs past St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Kendall Langford on his way to a touchdown run during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in St. Louis.
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Jake Locker, Cam Thomas
Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, right, throws as he is hit by San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas, center, and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in San Diego.
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Ryan Clark, Stephen Hill
Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Ryan Clark (25) holds on to New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill (84) after breaking up a pass in the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Pittsburgh.
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Miles Austin
Seattle Seahawks players break up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys’ Miles Austin, center, in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Kevin Kolb, Steve Gregory
1Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) scores a touchdown in front of New England Patriots safety Steve Gregory (28) in the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 in Foxborough, Mass. The Cardinals won 20-18.
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Dwight Lowery
Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Dwight Lowery (25) grabs a fan that ran on the filed during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. The fan was removed from the stadium by security.
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Michael Boley, Vincent Jackson
New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley, right, celebrates with teammate Kenny Phillips, center, as Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Vincent Jackson (83) reacts after Boley intercepted a pass to end an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 41-34.
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Brandon Browner, Miles Austin
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, left, dives across the goal line for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks’ Brandon Browner defends in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle.
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Emmanuel Acho, BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) is tackled by Cleveland Browns linebacker Emmanuel Acho and outside linebacker Kaluka Maiava (56) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati won 34-27.
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Michael Vick, Danny Watkins
From left to right, Philadelphia Eagles’ Danny Watkins, Michael Vick and Demetress Bell and LeSean McCoy celebrate after Vick’s rushing touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Philadelphia.
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DeJon Gomes, Danny Amendola
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola, right, catches a pass as Washington Redskins strong safety DeJon Gomes defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in St. Louis.
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Cam Newton, Drew Brees
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) greets New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Panthers won 35-27.
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Shaun Draughn
Kansas City Chiefs’ Shaun Draughn (20) runs against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Bills won 35-17.
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September 17th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda 
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