Arizona Cardinals def. Green Bay Packers: 5 Takeaways
By Erik Lambert
People thought their wild card shootout back in the 2009 season could never be topped. Then the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals showed that sometimes sequels really are better than the originals. In what will go down as one of the greatest games ever played, here are five takeaways from the 26-20 Cardinals thrilling overtime victory.
Larry Fitzgerald may be the greatest playoff performer ever
Some players are just able to take their game to a different level when they reach the playoffs. Larry Fitzgerald may be the only guy who takes it up multiple levels. The Pro Bowl wide receiver has now played in eight playoff games in his career and posted an incredible 53 catches for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s half a regular season length against the best team the NFL can offer. There may not be a great postseason performer in pro football history.
Carson Palmer resiliency shines through
Few quarterbacks understand the value of the word resiliency better than Carson Palmer. This is a man whose career went off track in Cincinnati thanks to a bad knee injury, was traded to Oakland where he endured countless coaching and management problems. Then when he came to Arizona he suffered another untimely knee injury that knocked him out for the season. Yet he’s battled through it all.
So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that he overcame a rough start, including two costly interceptions to throw the two decisive touchdowns to win the game.
Dwight Freeney may be the best free agent pickup of 2015
Of all the players signed to huge deals that flopped and all the bargains teams got in free agency, it’s time to applaud the Cardinals for their headiness to bring in Dwight Freeney in the middle of October. Just days from considering retirement, the 35-year old pass rusher instead compiled eight sacks in just 11 games for Arizona. He added to that tally by dropping Aaron Rodgers once and being in his face all night. There is no question teams made a huge mistake not giving up another chance.
Jeff Janis has a bright future in Green Bay
Everybody thought the loss of Davante Adams was a crushing blow for the Packers offense considering they struggled passing the ball even with him healthy. Little did they know their constant efforts to improve depth at wide receiver finally paid off when Jeff Janis, a former 7th round pick, broke out with seven catches for 145 yards and the touchdown that forced overtime. Never mind the huge play he made earlier on the final drive on a 4th and 20 to get a 1st down.
Packers have perfected the art of heartbreaking losses
Mike McCarthy has now lost seven playoff games in his coaching career with the Green Bay Packers and five of those losses were on the last play of the game. Here is a rundown.
- Lost 2007 NFC championship on Giants field goal in overtime
- Lost 2009 wild card 51-45 on Aaron Rodgers fumble return TD
- Lost 2013 wild card 23-20 on 49ers field goal at end of regulation
- Lost 2014 NFC championship 28-22 on Russell Wilson TD pass in OT
- Lost 2015 divisional playoff 26-20 on Carson Palmer TD shovel pass in OT
Not only does McCarthy have a knack for putting up some of the most memorable, thrilling games in NFL history, he also seems to find spectacular, painful ways to lose them.