The Green Bay Packers are now tied for first place in the NFC as the Packers defeated the previously undefeated Arizona Cardinals 24-21 to move to 7-1 on the season. However, Robert Tonyan suffered a significant injury.
Aaron Rodgers continued to play at a high level, completing 22 passes on 37 attempts with 184 yards and two touchdowns. In a turn events, AJ Dillon led the team with 78 rushing yards on 16 attempts. In the receiving game, Aaron Jones led the team with 51 receiving yards with seven receptions. Jones added 59 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Randall Cobb also impressed with two touchdowns on three catches.
On defense, Rasul Douglas and Henry Black both picked off Kyler Murray, with the former sealing the win. De’Vondre Campbell continued his amazing season with another sack. Dean Lowry also sacked Murray for his third of the season.
Kylar Murray had an off game, completing 22 passes for 33 attempts for 274 yards and two interceptions. He failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season. Murray also only had 21 rushing yards on six attempts. Chase Edmonds led the team in rushing with 30 yards on seven attempts and one touchdown. In addition, DeAndre Hopkins led the Cardinals in receiving with 66 yards on just two catches. Rookie receiver Rondale Moore lost a fumble on a muffed punt that proved to be a key deciding factor in their loss.
There were not many stars for the Cardinals defense as Zach Allen got the only sack for the Cardinals. However, Devon Kennard stopped a potential touchdown pass.
The game started as usual for the Packers by giving up the first touchdown of the game. An 11-yard run by Edmonds made the score 7-0 in favor of the Cardinals. The Packers responded in the second quarter, with a two-yard rush by Jones to tie it up. The Packers were able to add on to their total later in the second quarter with a 21-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.
In the third quarter the Packers continued to add to their lead with a two-yard touchdown pass to Cobb. However, the Cardinals were able to respond with a two-yard touchdown rush by James Conner to pull within three.
In the fourth, the Packers continued to score on a six-yard pass to Cobb, giving the Packers a 24-14 lead. Later in the quarter, Conner added a nine-yard touchdown rush. That 24-21 score held up as both teams failed to score in the redzone on their final drives.
The Packers got down to the 1-yard line and failed to score on four tries. After three rushes did not result in a touchdown, the Packers tried to pass when Kennard batted the ball down giving Cardinal’s possession. After a three-minute drive the Cardinals took a shot to the endzone from the five-yard line, but AJ Green didn’t turn around creating an east interception for Douglas to seal the win.
Rodgers had high praise for the cornerback who was a free agent weeks ago.
“This is why I love this squad,” Rodgers said postgame. “The guy that made the pick was with them for four weeks. He was on the streets. We brought him in… To come up with a play like that with 15 seconds left is incredible.”
Cobb had a much-needed big night with his two huge touchdowns. The Packers were without their top three wide receivers, losing Devante Adams and Allen Lazard to COVID-19 while Marquez Valdes-Scantling is still out with a hamstring injury.
Rodgers also had praise for Cobb after the game.
“It was tough in the passing game at times, but Cobby came up with a couple of big touchdown catches,” he said.
The Packers were also able to take advantage of some injuries on the Cardinals, as DeAndre Hopkins left the game early and was only seen sparingly with a hamstring injury. Also, J.J. Watt was ruled out before the game and will undergo potential season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The Cardinals also faced a scare when running back Jonathan Ward went down after laying a nasty hit on Hill’s knee. Ward was down and did not move for a few minutes, but was able to move his arm and give a thumbs-up as he was carted off the field.
The Packers again did not get out of Arizona without injuries, as Kinsley Keke left the game with a concussion. Third-string running back Kylin Hill left the game with a knee injury after taking a nasty hit on a kick return. Most notably, Robert Tonyan left with a knee injury after an awkward tackle. According to his agent Jack Bechta, Tonyan suffered a torn ACL and he will miss the remainder of the season.
Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur was emotional postgame about Tonyan’s injury.
“I’m sick for him, I’m sick for us,” LaFleur said. “My heart goes out to him.”
Mercedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara will have to step up at the tight end position for the remainder of the season.
Next week, the Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs and will look to extend their winning streak to eight. The Chiefs currently sit at 3-4 with a horrible defense holding back their high-powered offense. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t looked as strong as he normally is, but he remains a threat to not be taken lightly. The Packers will hope to have Adams back next week as they prepare for Mahomes and the dynamic offense.