GLENDALE, Ariz. — A prime-time showdown between two of the best clubs in the league ended in a dramatic 24-21 loss for Arizona - the team's first of the season.
Nearly straight out of the gate, DeAndre Hopkins hauled in a spectacular reception from Kyler Murray that was pulled back due to a face mask call. In the end, it was a 55-yard reception.
The catch set up an easy direct snap to running back Chase Edmonds who punched it in for a score. The 63-yard drive took just 3:43 minutes.
Green Bay answered back on a hard-fought drive that included a fourth-down conversion and was capped by a short run by Aaron Jones to make it even.
After trading possessions, a botched punt return by Rondale Moore set Green Bay up at Arizona’s 3-yard line, but the Cards managed to hold Aaron Rodgers' offense to a field goal to make it 10-7.
Meanwhile, Murray struggled to get traction and his offense went three-and-out several times in the second quarter.
On Arizona’s opening drive of the second half, a deflected pass from Murray was intercepted by Henry Black. It set up an easy connection from Rodgers to veteran receiver Randall Cobb, giving the Packers a 17-7 lead.
With State Farm Stadium quiet with nervous noise, Murray led a frantic run that produced as many first downs in a single drive as Arizona saw all night. The drive led to a James Conner touchdown up the middle to get the Cardinals back in the game.
However, Green Bay fired back with another touchdown strike to Cobb to give the Packers a 10-point lead to start the fourth quarter.
The score sparked a back and forth battle between both offenses with another Cardinals score from Conner.
A deflected pass by Devon Kennard saved a Green Bay touchdown that set up a final, potentially game-winning, drive for Murray that ended in a red zone interception by Rasul Douglas, sealing a Green Bay victory in heartbreaking fashion for the Cardinals.
Cardinals vs Packers in photos
Injuries
Zaven Collins did not return after suffering a shoulder injury in the first quarter.
Safety James Wiggins suffered a knee injury in the first half and did not return.
Arizona running back Jonathan Ward was carted off the field after a hard collision with Kylin Hill. He was evaluated for a concussion.
Before the game, starting center Rodney Hudson was placed on injured reserve along with second-string center Max Garcia.
Defensive end J.J. Watt did not play and is expected to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder. Barring a miraculous recovery, the procedure is likely season-ending.
What’s next?
Arizona will travel to Santa Clara to face off against its division rival 49ers on Nov. 7.
Sports
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