THE STORY: The postseason wouldn’t be easy to achieve under the Cardinals’ best current circumstances, but the first step remains winning games.

The Cardinals did just that on Sunday, posting a masterful 30-17 win over the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium that ended a three-game losing streak and got the Cardinals back to .500 this season.

James Conner had 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and the Cardinals (7-7) had a goal-line stand in the third quarter to keep the lead at 13 points at that point. Tight end Trey McBride had nine catches for 87 yards and the defense held slippery Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to just 14 yards on four attempts.

New England (3-11) was able to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but they proved to be meaningless. The Cardinals were without linebackers Mack Wilson Sr. and Jesse Luketa as well as cornerback Max Melton due to injuries.

The Cardinals escaped near disaster when an improvised pass from Kyler Murray was intercepted at the Arizona 19 in the second half, but there was a rough passer penalty on the Patriots that wiped out the Cardinals’ only turnover.

Further information will follow on azcardinals.com.