Cardinals Down Packers In Highest Scoring Playoff Game Ever, 51-45

Cardinals blog Revenge of the Birds is still catching its breathe after the thrilling 51-45 OT victory Sunday for Arizona over Green Bay. They saw a lot of good things out there, including one they’ve come to expect (Kurt Warner) and one they haven’t (running game):

Kurt Warner played in the twelfth postseason game of his career, and was outstanding. He recording a 154.1 quarterback rating when all was said and done. He threw for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns over a Packers defense that ranked 5th in the league not that long ago. For his career, he’s done just about everything right when the season’s been on the line, and that didn’t stop today.

The Cardinals running game silently ran for 156 yards against the 1st ranked rushing defense in the league. How that happened you ask? Much of the yards can be credited to Beanie Wells, who rushed for 92 on the day. The added rushing game is what propelled the Cardinals through the playoffs last year. The same might be said this time around.

Of course, there was a lot of bad out there as well. Especially that whole “let the Packers come all the way back and tie up the game in the 2nd half” thing.

The Cardinals slowly melted down after jumping out to a 17-0 lead. The offense was driving in the 2nd quarter when Larry Fitzgerald couldn’t hang onto the ball, fumbling after being hit by Charles Woodson. That was the first mistake that shifted much of the momentum into the Packers hands. The second mistake happened in the 3rd quarter, when Green Bay unexpectedly onside kicked the ball to the dismay of the Cardinals return unit. The Packers recovered the ball and eventually drove into the end zone to get within seven points.

The Cardinals head to New Orleans next week where 51 points might just be required again if they hope to outscore Drew Brees and the Saints.

Over at SB Nation's Packers blog, Acme Packing Company, they're still doing their best to try and sort through today's wild shootout with the Cardinals, a game eventually won by Arizona in overtime, 51-45. 

Some things were the same for the Green Bay Packers, some things were very different. I guess if this game reminds me of anything it's the sucker punch by WR Terrell Owens in the 1998 playoff game.

The Packers defense had been outstanding throughout the season, but they went missing. Especially the run defense, which allowed 6.8 yards per carry. [...]

Despite the turnovers, QB Aaron Rodgers is still the Packers' MVP. He brought them back, but he also had two big turnovers (the fumble by WR Donald Driver had nothing to do with Rodgers). It's a mixed award for him.

I'm numb at the moment. Nothing went as I expected, which is to be expected in the playoffs, and that's why they play the game. I expected the winning team would win the turnover battle and have the better defense. The Packers did/had neither.

There is something oddly fitting that the highest-scoring playoff game ever in the NFL would come to its dramatic conclusion on a defensive play. Because it's the NFL, and you can never really predict what's happening next. 

Here is video of Neil Rackers missing a 34-yard field goal with just nine seconds left in Sunday's Wild Card game between the Packers and Cardinals. Because of the wide left seen below, the score remained tied at 45-45, sending the game into overtime. 

Fortunately (for Rackers' sake), Michael Adams sacked Aaron Rodgers in OT, forcing a fumble in the process, and Karlos Dansby scooped it up for the game-winning touchdown. Rackers should probably buy them some watches or steaks or something. 

(Video via Jose3030)

Celebrate today's win and look ahead to the Saints at our Cardinals blog, Revenge Of The Birds, or commiserate with fellow Packers fans at Acme Packing Company. 

Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Karlos Dansby caught Aaron Rodgers' fumble out of the air and returned it 17 yards to put a stunning end to the game, giving the Cardinals a wild 51-45 overtime win against the Packers in the highest scoring postseason game in NFL history.

Michael Adams knocked the ball away from Rodgers, who then actually kicked the ball in the air with his right foot. Dansby was in perfect position to grab it and run unimpeded into the end zone, sending the NFC West-champion Cardinals into next weekend's divisional round. Arizona will play the top-seeded Saints in New Orleans.

The loss was crushing for the Packers, who had made up a 21-point deficit thanks to Rodgers, who threw for 422 yards and four touchdowns.

Rodgers' counterpart, Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, was even better, completing 29-of-33 passes for five touchdowns, as the teams combined for an NFL playoff record in total yards.