The 2009 NFL playoffs have begun and we had some wild games this last weekend. The Cowboys destroyed the Eagles 34-14 to send Philadelphia home for the off season. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets went into Cincinnati and finished off the Bengals 24-14. And the Baltimore Ravens went to New England and pounded Tom Brady and the Patriots 33-14.
But the game I want to talk about is sundays Arizona Cardinals-Green Bay Packers matchup. This game will go down as one of the classics. It had everything...except defense.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was playing in his first career playoff game and it showed at the beginning of the game. He looked nervous as he threw an interception on his first throw of the game.
Meanwhile, Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Kurt Warner, a seasoned playoff veteran, started out hot as he just chewed up the Green Bay Packers defense (ranked #2 in the NFL). The Cardinals jumped out to a 17-0 lead and it had you thinking that this game was going to be a blowout.
But, not so fast. Aaron Rodgers finally got comfortable and brought the Packers back into this game. You had the feeling that the last team with the ball was going to win this game.
The game was tied 45-45 after regulation. When was the last time we have seen a game tied at 45 points?! I really don't know if it has ever happened before in the NFL.
So, the game now goes to overtime and the Green Bay Packers win the coin toss. So, you're thinking "The Packers are gonna win!". Because neither defense was stopping the other team from marching down the field and scoring.
But Aaron Rodgers over threw a wide open Greg Jennings that may have been a touchdown. It definitely would have put the Packers in field goal position.
The very next play will go down as one the most controversial plays so far in the 2009 NFL playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers was dropping back in the pocket and was hit by Michael Adams. The ball popped out of Aaron Rodgers hand, then it bounced off Rodgers' foot and back up again. Cardinals' defensive back Karlos Dansby was in the right place at the right time. He grabbed the ball in mid-air and rumbled in for the game winning touchdown. Cardinals 51, Packers 45.
But let's back up for a minute. When Michael Adams hit Aaron Rodgers, he also grabbed his face mask, as you can see from the photo above. That should have been a penalty on the Cardinals. The Green Bay Packers' fans are in an uproar and frankly I don't blame them. What a sad way for this classic game to end on a blown call like that.
Some of the individual statistics from this game are incredible!
- Aaron Rodgers passed for 422 yards, with 4 touchdowns and one interception.
- Green Bay Receiver Jermichael Finley caught 6 passes for 159 yards.
- Greg Jennings had 8 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.
- Kurt Warner passed for 379 yards with 5 touchdowns!
- Cardinals' rookie RB Beanie Wells rushed for 91 yards.
- Cardinals' wide receiver Steve Breaston had 7 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.
- Larry Fitzgerald had 6 catches for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns.
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