(From TWD)
Keys to the game:
Will Steve Breaston and the combo of Chris "Beanie" Wells/Steve Hightower be able to mend to loss of Anquan Boldin?
It will be paramount for Larry Fitzgerald to get something against Charles Woodson today, but these three players must step in order to take pressure off of Kurt Warner facing Cullen Jenkins and outstanding rookie Clay Matthews
How much pressure, if any, can Darnell Dockett and the rest of the Arizona Front 7 get on Aaron Rodgers today?
The Packers offense line has turned it around from being a laughingstock for a year and a half now. But the Cardinals defense is really underrated, despite being banged up in the secondary with both Cromatire and Rolle carrying painful knocks.
With the Boldin injury though, I just can't see the Cardinals getting this one.
The thread is open, and the thread is LIVE.
And a review of the "Foxboro Massacre" will come.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
And on the first play of scrimmage, Rodgers throws an ill advised interception.....first playoff throw, first interception, as it deflects to Cromatire.
Bernee Wells running over Williams has the Cardinals clearly in the ascendancy.
And Hightower gets into the endzone for the first score of the game....touchdown Cardinals, 7-0 lead
And my goodness, the Packers, who are the best in the league at not turning over the ball, have lost the ball twice so far in the first five minutes......Driver fumbles, Arizona recovers. Carlos Dansbee has made the big plays so far clearly.
And Early Doucet takes it into the end zone to give Arizona a shock 14-0 lead.
Rodgers to Finley again, after he almost was intercepted by Rolle or McFadden there. 2 minute warning everyone, hang onto your seats.
Green Bay fans already realizing that this is a completely different game from last week, and establishing the run is going to be needed here in a big fashion for them. They must keep with the game plan of a balance attack and used Ryan grant. They must get caught up in being down 14-0 already. This game is still very very early.
As Aikman is saying on air, trying to get Rodgers settled is so key here, but it's hard when he misses a wide open Greg Jennings like he did. He has been so uncharacteristic of himself so far. And great coverage this time by the Cards defense, as Rodgers goes down at the hands of Berry. A nightmare start for the Packers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The big force fumble by Charles Woodson has the Packers on the verge of at least scoring a field goal. Can they get a touchdown here?
Touchdown Green Bay, as a quarterback sneak by Rodgers works. A massive touchdown to say the least, and credit to Charles Woodson for making it all happen.
The Cardinals have really been able to grow with the development of Wells. The bruising Ohio State standout has added an element to this offense where they have been able to overcome the loss of Boldin so far.
Early Doucet scores his second of the day....who needs Boldin when you are given time to find your receivers. 24-7 Arizona
The lack of a pass rush from Green Bay has been apparent today, as Warner has been outstanding yet again in a postseason game.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Straight of the 2nd half
Will be interesting to see if Warner will still be comfortable in the pocket this half. If he is, then the Packers chances at coming back are very slim.
And a touchdown for Larry Fitzgerald, his first of the day. Woodson slips and Fitzs goes to the endzone. The Packers continue to give Warner too much time, as the Cardinals are up 31-10.
The Packers trying to respond here, are inside the five yard line. Rodgers avoid in the interception there.
And Greg Jennings with a great touchdown catch to make it 31-17 Arizona.
And Green bay gets the onside kick back...great call by Mike McCarthy.
But a big 4th and 1 comes here.....
And Rodgers scrabbles to Nelson for the touchdown......what a play again by the Green Bay Packers quarterback there. McCarthy's clutch play call for an onside big, as the Packers have now made it a 31-24 deficit.
Once again, drafting the right skills players is always key, and the Cardinals have done that once again, especially in regards to both Wells and Doucet. They have been terrific today. And Doucet is showing people why he was one of LSU's most elite receivers in their schools' history.
Fitzgerald second touchdown of the game today, as he gets the best of Charles Woodson there again. Another TD for Warner, as the Cards get the two touchdown lead again. 38-24
James Jones with the touchdown from Aaron Rodgers, and with the the Cardinals punting for first time today, the Packers are in position to tie the game here right now.
And Cohn the fullback scores the touchdown to tie the game up here...... The Packers have come from 17-0 down and 24-7, and 31-10 down to tie the game here at 38. Terrific.
------------------------------------------------------------------
A big third down conversion as Warner finds Hightower......still a long way to go here.
Still more time in the pocket from Warner here, as a big third and short here is forthcoming.
Big catch by Breaston there. It has been clear to see that the Cards have not missed Bouldin at all.
And speaking of big catches from Breaston, a touchdown for him is the follow up two plays later. Warner with all the time in the world, and it's 45-38 Arizona.
Spencer scores the touchdowns to tie the game here at 45...unbelivable to witness.
As mentioned in the comments, I can't think of any other other game being more high scoring ever in the playoffs. 1:44 left in this contest.
Amazing has been Early Doucet, as Neil Rackers is about to come on to give the Cardinals the lead with a few seconds left on the clock
And Rackers has missed a shocker......one of the league's most dependable kickers, has missed a sitter.
Rackers showed signs of not being on pinpoint accuracy with how he almost missed a 23 yarder today that put the Cardinals up 17-0.
All momentum is clearly to the Packers right now.
And Rodgers had Greg Jennings open for the win right there....just missed him.
JUST FITTING.......FITTING, what a way to end an all-time classic.
Michael Adams, who had been picked on the entire game, with the big blitz to force the fumble, and Carlos Dansby returns it for the running touchdowns.
This was surly a remarkable classic today, unless you were a defensive coordinator or Neil Rackers at the end.
Full review to come on this classic in a second, but let me talk to you guys in the comments section for a second who made this happen.