🏈 COURTSIDE SPORTS: AFTER UGLY START, AR & PACK ROLL TO 7-1 MIDSEASON MARK WITH 24-21 ROAD WIN OVER PREVIOUSLY UNDEFEATED ARIZONA CARDINALS!
Courtside Exclusive
By Paul Wickham Schmidt
Oct. 28, 2021
Missing three top receivers and their Defensive Coordinator, the Pack and Aaron Rodgers gutted out a 24-21 nail-biter over Kyler Murray and the previously undefeated Cardinals in the Arizona desert Thursday night. The much improved Packer defense did a decent job against the talented and elusive Murray. Meanwhile, in the absence of a dynamic passing game, Pack backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon ground out 137 yards and “ate lots of clock” behind a rugged offensive line.
The Pack looked to be on the verge of putting the game away late in the fourth quarter when Aaron Jones apparently scored from one yard out to give the Pack a 30-21 lead. But, the TD was reversed on video replay and the ball placed one inch from the goal line. The Pack then totally flubbed three straight plays, including a delay of game, and came away empty when a weak fourth down Rodgers’ pass was batted down.
Murray then proceeded to lead his team on a 94 yard drive and seemed poised to cap it with a game winning touchdown, or at least a field goal to send the game into overtime. However, with only a few seconds left, Murray’s errant pass was picked off in the end zone by former Cardinal Rasul Douglas to save the Packer win. It was the third turnover for Arizona, each having a major impact on the game.
Next, the Pack will visit the 3-4 Kansas City Chiefs in what some have dubbed the “State Farm Bowl,” for the first time pitting insurance pitchmen, buddies, former Super Bowl winners, and previous league MVPs Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes against each other!
PWS
10-28-21