Week 8 Recap: Packers vs Cardinals

(Photo cred: USA Today Sports)

In week eight for Thursday Night Football, we had what was to this point the matchup of the season so far. It was the 6-1 Green Bay Packers traveling on the road to the desert to face the undefeated (7-0) Arizona Cardinals. This was set to be the first real test since week one, as the Packers and Cardinals were battling it out for the top spot in the NFC. Not only was this going to be a tough opponent for the Green and Gold, but they came into the game significantly short-handed as well. As COVID is still hitting some places, it unfortunately took out two of the Packers wide receivers in Davante Adams and Allen Lazard. Those are also two of Aaron Rodgers’ top targets, which meant that he had to change up his gameplan quite a bit. Additionally, the Packers Defensive Coordinator, Joe Barry, had tested positive for COVID as well, so the Packers had to make a lot of adjustments as their main defensive play caller was not there to lead the charge. Even though the Packers were hurting, they still came ready to compete.

The Cardinals were the first ones to get on the board as they scored a touchdown on their second drive of the game. Since it did not take relatively long for them to score, many people were concerned that the Packer defense looked lost without their leader, Joe Barry. However, once the Packers got the ball back, Rodgers and crew made everyone forget about that factor. As a couple of Rodgers’ targets were out, he decided to mix the running backs into the passing game on this drive as he kept on connecting Aaron Jones, and AJ Dillon to drive the ball 75 yards down the field. Once the Packers finally made it to the two-yard line, Aaron Jones punched through for six, added with the extra point made by Mason Crosby to tie the game at 7.

The Cardinals would then get the ball back, but the Green Bay defense made another stop, forcing Arizona to punt after a three and out series. Rodgers was back on the field, however, this time unfortunately, the offense could not convert and had to punt the ball back to the other side. It was 4th and 7 at the Green Bay 49-yard line for the Packers as Corey Bojorquez lifted one 48 yards, all the way down to the Arizona three-yard line. Arizona kick returner, Rondale Moore, went to receive the punt, only to muff the attempt. The Packers’ special teams unit quickly rushed the field as linebacker, Ty Summers fell on it, leading to the Packers getting the ball back and restarting their drive with a first and goal. Even though they only had three yards to get for another touchdown, they unfortunately could not convert. The Packers had to settle for another field goal by Mason Crosby making the score 10-7 Packers. The Packers may not have gotten the result that they were expecting on that drive, however, they were glad to be leading as the first half ended.

Moving on to the second half, the Cardinals started with the ball, but only three plays later, Packers safety, Henry Black, intercepted a pass from Cardinals star quarterback, Kyler Murray. The Green and Gold once again had great field position as they were setup at the Arizona 15-yard line. It was redemption time Rodgers and crew as this time they wanted to punch it in for six. Even though the Packers were in scoring position again, the Cardinals defense would not let up. The Packers eventually had to go for it on fourth down, in which they converted. Rodgers connected with wide receiver, Equanimeous St. Brown, as they now had first and goal at the two-yard line. The very next play, Rodgers then found Randall Cobb for the touchdown, with another extra-point made by Crosby, which increased the Packers lead to 17-7.

Even though the Packers had a two-possession lead at this point things were about to get shaky. The Cardinals came flying back on 12 plays, driving the ball 81 yards down the field to score a touchdown making it only a one possession game again, by the score of 17-14, Packers. After the Cardinals kicked off, the Packers offense came out hungry again looking to put the lead back to 10. AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones gave the offense a huge boost on the drive, running them to the Green Bay 46-yard line. Rodgers then found Tight End, Robert Tonyan for a 33-yard reception, which put the Packers in great field position at the Arizona 21-yard line. However, that would be the last we would see of Tonyan, as he went down on that play, unfortunately tearing his ACL, which meant that his season was over just like that. Rodgers had one less option to throw to. As the drive continued, the Packers kept the ball on the ground as they did not have many options at that point. Dillon and Jones then got the Packers within 6 yards of the goal line, until Rodgers connected again with Cobb for another touchdown. The Packers were up 24-14 as the fourth quarter had just begun. All they needed was for the defense to hold it down from there.

Side note- Rodgers was knocked down on the play but ended up with one of the best memes that Packer fans had seen in a while!

The defense came back out to the field and were not prepared whatsoever. After 11 plays, they let the Cardinals stomp all over them. Arizona took the ball 75 yards down the field to score a touchdown. The score was now 24-21 Packers. The Packers offense then came back out pissed, feeling like they had to do everything themselves to make up for the defensive mistakes. The Packers drove the ball all the way down the field to the Arizona one-yard line but could not score even after a replay review that looked like Aaron Jones made it into the end zone. After failing to convert on fourth down, the Cardinals got the ball back for one last drive to either tie or win the game. This turned into another abysmal drive for the Packers defense as they looked gassed. Kyler Murray ran all over them. Eventually, the Cardinals made it all the way down to the Green Bay five-yard line with 15 seconds left in the game. On second and goal, Kyler Murray took the snap going to his right and instantly targeted AJ Green in what would be the game-winning touchdown. However, once the pass was in the air, AJ Green never turned around for the ball and the pass ended up in the hands of Packers cornerback, Rasul Douglas. Douglas had also recently been released by the Cardinals of all teams, so this was a huge revenge moment for him. The Packers would go on to win the game, as the next play the Packers offense were set up in victory formation as Rodgers to one kneel to seal it!

Side side note- I can’t go without mentioning that this was basically a real-life Madden glitch as AJ Green looked completely frozen and unaware of the play call. Regardless, the Packers were victorious once again!

Final score: Packers- 24, Cardinals- 21