GLENDALE (AZ) — Rasul Douglas was just a few weeks into his journeyman NFL life, bouncing around between practice squads and camps in a frustrating process that football’s version is purgatory.
The Green Bay Packers were pleased with what they saw.
He’s now a Thursday night hero on the league’s most popular team, at the expense of one of his former teams.
Douglas intercepted a pass with 12 seconds remaining in the fourth period, helping the Packers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 24-21. This was a thrilling game featuring two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
“Blessed,” Douglas said. Douglas said, “You are in a strange mental state having been in the league for five year’s and never being on the practice squad.” It feels like you’re working for nothing. You get a call, and then you are playing.
Although the Cardinals appeared to be on the verge of rallying to win their eighth consecutive game, Kyler Murray made a stunning interception on second and goal. The home crowd gasped in disbelief. A.J. A.J.
Murray stated, “We weren’t on the same page.” It cost us.
For some lesser-known Packers players, it was a huge night. Douglas was signed to the active roster three weeks ago, when the team needed assistance in the secondary. He was signed from the Cardinals practice squad where he had spent several weeks earlier in the year.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback, said that this is why he loves the team. “The pick maker was there for four weeks (pointing at the Cards sideline). He was living on the streets. We took him in. He is starting for us. He is a great guy. He really bonded well with the team. It’s amazing to come up with a play in 15 seconds.
Randall Cobb’s crucial night was needed as Green Bay was without its two top receivers. Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 roster earlier in the week. However, Cobb, 31, responded with two touchdowns in traffic that were both difficult catches.
Rodgers stated that “it was difficult in the passing games at times, but Cobby came through with a few big touchdown catches.”
The Packers won the fourth quarter with Cobb’s 6-yard touchdown catch. Cobb was once a top NFL receiver, making the Pro Bowl in 2014. He had 1,287 yards of receiving and 14 touchdowns. But he has settled down to a secondary role in his career.
Although he only made three passes Thursday, they were very important.
The Cardinals were trailing for much of the night, but pulled within 24-21 after James Conner’s second touchdown drive of the game with 10 minutes left in the fourth. Arizona had an important goal-line stand in the fourth, with Devon Kennard stopping Rodgers’ fourth down pass. This gave them the ball at the 1-yard mark and the opportunity to go 99 yards for victory.
They were close to it.
After dropping the season opener, Green Bay (7-1) has won seven consecutive games. Arizona (7-1) tried to establish a franchise record for the longest winning streak to begin a season, but it was broken by Arizona (74).
In the beginning, both teams were hindered by a shortage of healthy receivers. In the second half, offensive speed picked up.
Green Bay’s offense was more conservative without Adams or Lazard. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona’s top receiver, made a 55 yard catch in the first quarter. However, he injured his hamstring and was out for the majority of the game.
After Rondale Moore, a Cardinals rookie, mishandled a punt deep within Arizona territory, Green Bay scored a field goal to give them a 10-7 advantage at halftime.
Murray throws a pass to Moore that Moore intercepts and lands in the hands of Green Bay’s Henry Black. This was at the Arizona 14. Rodgers found Cobb in a corner of the endzone five plays later for a touchdown.
The Cardinals responded but were unable to win. Murray was able to pass 274 yards and make two interceptions.
Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals coach, said that “we didn’t play well in the first part, I didn’t call it a very good match, couldn’t get into rhythm, took some bad plays, and didn’t play well in the second half.” “In the second, guys responded, and they’ve done this all year, when we’ve struggled to answer the bell.
“We were just not able to finish it this time.”
OHELIBERATED FROM WATT
The Cardinals played their first game without J.J. Watt, their defensive end. He reportedly needs shoulder surgery and could lose his season.
Watt sustained the injury last week against the Texans. However, there were no signs that there was a problem. This season, Watt has 16 tackles as well as one sack.
INJURIES
Packers: DE Kingsley Keke, a Packers player, was concussed in the third quarter. RB Kylin Hills (knee), was taken off the field during the third quarter. In the third quarter, TE Robert Tonyan (ankle), was injured.
Cardinals: LB Zaven Collins, a Cardinals player, injured his shoulder in the quarter. He didn’t come back…. S James Wiggins, a Cardinals player, hurt his knee in half one and didn’t return. Hopkins hasn’t been practicing much because of his hamstring problem for several weeks. After making a special team tackle, RB Jonathan Ward was taken off the field during the third quarter. The Cardinals reported that he suffered a neck injury and a concussion. However, he still had movement in his extremities.
UP NEXT
The Packers will face the Chiefs in Nov. 7.
On Nov. 7, the Cardinals will face off against the 49ers.
