Everything That Could’ve Gone Wrong Went Wrong, but the Packers Still Got the Win Against the Cardinals

Photo via Evan Siegle, packers.com

           The Green Bay Packers are 4-1-1 after beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 on Sunday afternoon. Everything that could’ve gone wrong going into and during this game happened, yet this team still left with a win. From the team plane being delayed for five hours on Saturday to Josh Jacobs’ calf injury and never leading until the fourth quarter, they never gave up.

The first half of this game was a disaster for the Packers’ offense. They couldn’t run the ball, which has been the bread and butter to get this offense going. Jordan Love played well, but the offensive line crumbled at the wrong times, and nobody could get open. Thankfully, they ended the half with a franchise-record 61-yard field goal from Lucas Havrisik to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 13-6.


The Packers’ offense got the ball to start the third quarter and went three-and-out to open the second half. It seemed like there was no juice from this team whatsoever. Then the defense came in to save the day, finally forcing a turnover thanks to Rashan Gary’s strip sack on Jacoby Brissett. The offense capitalized with a rushing touchdown from Josh Jacobs to tie the game at 13-13. Immediately after that, the Cardinals went on a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to take the lead going into the fourth quarter.


Then the madness happened. The Packers responded again at the start of the fourth quarter with a touchdown from Tucker Kraft (who should be getting at least 10 targets a game going forward). The Cardinals then kicked a field goal to take a three-point lead late in the fourth quarter.


The following moments were what changed the game completely in favor of the Packers. The Packers’ defense forced a turnover on downs after reading the most predictable QB sneak of all time. The offense got the ball back, and it all came down to a do-or-die play. 


On 4th-and-2, Matt LaFleur initially sent out the field goal unit to tie the game, but for some reason he had a change of heart. The offense marched back onto the field to go for it. In that moment, the stars aligned. LaFleur actually trusted his $250 million quarterback to make a play on a weird pass play call to Tucker Kraft. I know people will say, “What if he missed it?” At the end of the day, Love and Kraft made the play happen in the clutch. End of story.


The defense in this game was up and down. Quay Walker had a great game and Micah Parsons was largely the reason the Packers won this game. He ended up finishing with three sacks and ten pressures (Two of those sacks in the fourth quarter, insane). He capped off the game with a huge sack on Jacoby Brissett after sitting out the previous play. Now that’s why you traded for this guy. Parsons knew he was going to win that matchup and made sure he gave it everything he had on a play that ultimately won the game for the Packers.


The Packers’ secondary, however, was a total disaster. Nate Hobbs had one of the worst games I’ve seen from a cornerback in green and gold since Kevin King. It doesn’t help his case that he’s playing outside instead of in the slot, either. Still, there’s no reason Carrington Valentine shouldn’t be playing outside instead of Hobbs at this point. Apparently, Matt LaFleur doesn't think so after his press conference today.


Again, it wasn’t a pretty win, but a win nonetheless. The Packers faced adversity waiting on the tarmac in Green Bay for five hours and throughout this entire game. The Packers are dealing with a lot of injuries to key players, but their resilience is going to pay off at some point. Even though they haven’t played the prettiest football, they’re still winning games. There isn’t one perfect team in the NFL, and that should give Packers fans some reassurance. They’re still contenders and currently lead the NFC North.


The next time we see this team, it’ll be in primetime against a future Hall of Famer and Packers legend, Aaron Rodgers. I know people still feel some type of way about Aaron, but once he retires, his name and number will be retired at Lambeau Field. It’s going to be special. However, Sunday night in Pittsburgh, we’re rooting against him. The Packers have a chance to play some quality football in primetime and show the rest of the NFL what this team is really about.


Things could be worse people, don’t be a negative nelly. There are obviously things the Packers need to clean up and improve on, and they know that better than any of us. This is still a winning football team, regardless of how they've looked.

Real Packer Fans Know 🧀

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