The task seemed impossible, yet somehow, Green Bay found a way. Battered, bruised, Covid-stricken, and on the road, the Green Bay Defense show up big, with a capital ‘B,’ and held the NFL’s top offense and QB Kyler Murray to 21 points, intercepting Murray twice, including a game-ending pick in the end zone, by recent Packers’ acquisition Rasul Douglas, to seal the win over the Cardinals. “What a play, I love how he competes,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur of his CB Douglas, whose interception ended the TNF game. “Guys like Rasul…coming back here to Arizona…he was cut here, for him to make the play in the end zone, [I’m] just really happy for him,” LaFleur added.
The Cardinals, who had scored 30 points in 6 of 7 wins coming into Thursday night, met a Packers’ defense that seemed to play inspired football holding the dynamic Murray to a 67 QB rating with zero TDs with 2 ints. “We had a good game plan. That was probably the first time I’d won a game like that…it was a shocking feeling, like oh snap!,” Said Douglas post-game.
The offense did its part too, although it came up empty after having the ball 1st and goal from the 1 with 4:46 to go in the game. A touchdown would have sealed the win for Green Bay. In his presser, recalling a story from years ago that he shared with his teammates before the game for inspiration, QB Aaron Rodgers said, “The ‘G’ that’s on our helmet…it travels with you. Remember how special it is to wear that ‘G’,” Rodgers said adding, “represent the team the right way.” the Packers are now on a 7 game win streak.
Lambeau West
Both LaFleur and Rodgers mentioned the Packers’ fans’ presence in the crowd last night. TV shots of the crowd showed almost as much Packers’ green in the stands as there was Cardinal red. Pack fans are known to travel as well as any in the NFL, and last night this was obvious. The crowd noise from Packers’ fans when the Cardinals had the ball was something both coaches mentioned post-game. And both talked about the way the noise changed the game in the Packers’ favor.
Play of the Game
With 6:52 left in the 1st half, the Cardinals Rondale Moore fumbled a Bojorques punt, the Packers recovered the ball at the Cardinal 3, failed to get a TD, and Mason Crosby kicked a FG which eventually led to a Packers 3 point win.
The Feelings:
As always for the Packers and their fans, there is no better feeling than that of a win. And this one is special as the Packers were absolutely plagued with injuries on both sides of the ball, without their D coordinator (thanks Covid), facing an undefeated offensive juggernaut in Arizona, and going West which has meant trouble in recent years, and under LaFleur.
No doubt, in Green Bay, all across Wisconsin, and in every corner of the world where Packers’ fans reside, they woke up today (perhaps still tipsy) with smiles on their faces. Here’s why Packers’ fans are smiling, at 7-1 The Packers are now tied for the best record in the NFL and they hold the top spot in the NFC playoff standings.
The Facts:
Packers 24 Cardinals 21
Turnovers: 0/3
Sacks: 2/14 vs 1/0
3rd&4th DN: 8/18 vs 6/12
Rushing: 29/195 vs 15/53
Passing: 22/37 for 184 vs 22/33 for 260
Penalties: 46/70 vs 7/59
The Packers next play at Kansas City November 7.
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