It's fitting that in a game with over 1000 yards of offense, a defensive play decides the outcome. On the first drive of overtime, an Aaron Rodgers fumble was recovered by Cardinal Karlos Dansby and taken back 17 yards for the game-winning touchdown, eliminating the Packers from post-season play with a final of 51-45.
After a first quarter which saw the Packers turn the ball over twice and miss a field goal as the Cardinals scored two touchdowns and a field goal, it seemed like all four wild-card games this weekend would be drama-free at halftime. For some viewers, it was. Five consecutive Packer touchdowns to start the second half brought Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers back from the brink and to the verge of overcoming a 21-point third quarter deficit and heading to New Orleans.
On a night where the passing games stole the spotlight, it was Arizona's running game that made its mark. With 156 yards on only 23 carries, Ken Wisenhunt's Cardinals imposed their will physically on the Packer front seven. Beanie Wells totaled 91 yards out the backfield, establishing himself as the Cardinals top running back for the playoffs. In the end, it was turnovers that brought the Packers' season to an end. All three turnovers led to Cardinal scores, digging too big a hole for the Pack to climb out of. Larry Fitzgerald coughed up Arizona's only turnover, caused by a Charles Woodson strip.
A report earlier in the day had Arizona's Kurt Warner leaning towards retiring at the end of the season, but he may want to reconsider after tonight's performance. He completed 29 of his 33 passes for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns, which tabulated to a 154.1 QB rating. (Which proves the ridiculousity of that stat, how is that line not perfect?) Expect another shoot-out in New Orleans next week at the Superdome when the Cardinals come to town.
You had to feel bad for Green Bay after they fought back as valiantly as they did to force overtime, only to see the offensive line miss a block that would lead to a blindside hit and fumble of Rodgers. After rallying the last few months of the season, they stormed into the playoffs with a boatload of momentum. This is a heart-breaking loss, but Mike McCarthy's Packers have to feel great going into next season. (Won't stop Packers fans from feeling like crap now, though.)
Playoff predictions so far: 3-1. Poor Green Bay.
A great finish to an otherwise low-drama Wild-Card weekend. Talk to you next weekend for some divisional-round previews!
Keywords: Aaron Rodgers, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Joe Anello, Karlos Dansby, Ken Wisenhunt, Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike McCarthy, NFL, NFL playoffs
