GLENDALE, Arizona -- At an initial glance, and without the benefit of film review, a look at who's "up" and who's "down" from the New England Patriots' 23-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals:
UP
Julian Edelman: Wide receiver was targeted seven times and had seven catches for 66 yards. He was especially important early in the game, helping the Patriots get off to a quick start by converting three first downs on the opening drive -- 11 yards, 19 yards and eight yards.
Cameron Fleming: Fleming stepped up in place of starting left tackle Nate Solder, who didn't travel with the team because of a hamstring injury, and there weren't too many times where there was noticeable blindside pressure. He also wasn't penalized. Fleming is more of a pure right tackle, but his work on the left side was one of the unsung performances.
Jimmy Garoppolo: Given the magnitude of the moment -- a nationally televised road game in his first career NFL start while stepping in for suspended Tom Brady -- Garoppolo was poised, efficient and, ultimately, clutch. The moment wasn't too big for him. He walked out of the stadium with a game ball tucked close to the left side of his body, which was well-deserved.
Stephen Gostkowski: Hitting field goals of 47, 53 and 32 yards and executing his pop-up kickoffs in the fourth quarter well to help pin the Cardinals deeper in their own territory, he proved a kicker can be an important weapon. He hit from as long as 60 yards in warm-ups, and it looked like it might have been good from 70, showing there's still plenty of pop in his right leg.
DOWN
Marcus Cannon: The starting right tackle appeared to have a technique breakdown on the play Garoppolo was strip-sacked, as the pressure initially came from the defender Cannon was assigned to block, and then a holding penalty in the fourth quarter ultimately cost the Patriots field position because it came on a play when receiver Danny Amendola was interfered with near the goal line.
Dont'a Hightower: A quiet night for the starting linebacker, who had just one tackle. On David Johnson's highlight-reel 45-yard run in the fourth quarter, Hightower got caught up in traffic in the middle and ultimately wasn't a factor in the play.