Whoever was manning the camera for Thursday night’s Packers/Cardinals game on Fox deserves a raise. This shot of Aaron Rodgers, moments after connecting on a two-yard touchdown to Randall Cobb (seemingly the only Packers receiver not hurt or battling COVID), is a work of art.
Is there anything more “football” than Rodgers, resting on the turf with his graying beard and shoulder-length hair, watching in suspense as his helmet barely hangs on?
It wasn’t pretty, but the Packers got it done Thursday night, upsetting the previously unbeaten Cardinals to extend their winning streak to seven games. The fourth quarter at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium (a venue that produced one of the most iconic moments of Rodgers’ career during the 2015 postseason) was one of the most dramatic you’ll ever see, with both teams squandering red-zone opportunities.
After stonewalling Green Bay on the goal line (the Packers couldn’t punch it in on fourth-and-goal), the Cardinals had a chance to pull ahead late but their rally was thwarted by Rasul Douglas (poached off Arizona’s practice squad earlier this month), who came up with a game-saving interception on a pass intended for A.J. Green. There appeared to be a miscommunication on the play between Kyler Murray and Green, who seemed surprised the ball was thrown in his direction.
With Thursday’s victory, the Packers now hold the tiebreaker over Arizona for the NFC’s top playoff seed. Green was predictably raked over the coals for his mishap, though you could argue Rondale Moore’s gaffe, muffing a punt that Green Bay recovered at the Cardinals’ three-yard line, was just as costly.
In defiance of coach Kliff Kingsbury, injured wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins checked himself back into Thursday night’s game, contributing two catches for 66 yards in the losing cause. The Cardinals will have nine days to prepare for their Week 9 showdown with division-rival San Francisco while the surging Packers are off to KC, where they’ll oppose Patrick Mahomes and the struggling Chiefs.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram