You never, ever apologize for wins in the NFL. Ever.
The Packers found themselves in an absolute battle in the desert, and found a way to win. Truth be told, if someone had told you that before the game had started, would you have been surprised? The Cardinals have now been the victim of 5 straight losses decided on the final drive, giving their all to some really good teams along the way. The 49ers, Colts, and Seahawks all found themselves in a similar predicament that the Packers did, all probable playoff teams who had to eek out a win against this Cardinals squad.
In the NFL, you've got to learn how to win all sorts of games. When confronted with a scrappy, play-your-heart-out type of situation like the Browns and Cowboys game, the Packers couldn't get the W. This week they did, and the Packers are 4-1-1, and could end today as the #1 seed with a Buccaneers loss (or an even bigger lead on the Lions for the division crown).
Credit to Matt LaFleur (more on him later) and the offense for that massive 4th down pickup on the final drive. If the Packers had settled for the field goal, we saw how that would have played out (another overtime game as the best possible outcome). In the words of the man himself, "Scared money don't make money." New kicker Lucas Havrisik also gets an honorable mention for the longest kick in franchise history, which ended up having massive implications at the end of the game.
Micah Parsons
Don't let anyone tell you that the Packers paid too much for Parsons. They're wrong. He earned his first career 3 sack game, and more than doubled his sack total on the year. He finished the game with nine total pressures, 2 qb hits and four pressures. Parsons may have slingshot himself to the forefront of the defensive player of the year conversation in this game, but as far as today is concerned, there's a serious argument to be made that the win falls on his shoulders.
He was equally as impactful in the run game. It was a complete show of dominance from Parsons, and I also loved the increased reps that he was rushing up the middle from a linebacker role. Let's also give some recognition to Rashan Gary for the strip sack that was such a turning point in the game. Kingsley Enegbarre also balled out, building on what has been an excellent year.
The offense battled
After a horrendous start to the game, the offense finally found their groove with that quick drive to get into field goal range at the end of the first half. Despite a three-and-out to begin the second, the Packers went touchdown, touchdown, punt, touchdown, and kneel down to end the game.
Love had a better game than what his stat sheet will show, and I love the increased mobility he's been showing off this season, after an injury hampered 2024. The Packers finished the day with a 100% red zone scoring efficiency, a major boost considering the Cardinals finished with 75%. In my opinion, the Packers' rushing offense really took the day. Comparing the two teams, they actually both finished with 94 rushing yards. However, the Packers dominated in average yards per rush and yards after contact. They also had more explosive runs, and less tackles for loss on runs.
Nate Hobbs
Holy cow. That was bad.
All game long, Hobbs had his lunch money taken from him. Marvin Harrison Jr is an extremely talented receiver, there's no need to bury the lead on that. But Nate Hobbs was paid a lot of money by this organization to cover extremely talented receivers. Both he and the Packers made a gamble in moving Hobbs to the outside corner slot this season, after spending his entire career as a slot only guy. Part of me wonders if the team tried to fast track Hobbs down the same path that Nixon took in becoming an outside cornerback. The problem was that Nixon earned every single opportunity that he was given.
The Packers may need to re-think that cornerback rotation, considering how much better the group played when Carrington Valentine was starting opposite of Nixon, but considering the lack of snaps Valentine has received since Hobbs' return, it may not be that simple. Part of me believes that the Packers really, really want to keep Javon Bullard on the field, and he's had a good season so far! The problem is that he isn't taking any snaps at safety in the near future (injury notwithstanding), so the only spot to play Bullard is the slot. So Hobbs gets sent outside, and Valentine rides the bench? It could be that simple, but the Packers will need to get Hobbs on track, or accept that his $12 million a year salary is best served in the slot.
Penalties
We knew that this game was going to be a flag-fest going into it. Referee Alex Moore and his crew entered this game with the most penalties called in the entire league: #1 in penalties and penalties per game, and #2 penalty yards per game. So okay, fine. But...
Ten penalties. Ninety four yards.
We can give all the credit in the world for the team battling their way to a win. But they're also consistently shooting themselves in the foot at an unprecedented and unsustainable rate. This game, especially this season, is won in the margins. The Packers have been in the bottom third in this category all season long, and trust me, there's not a lot of good company to keep down there. These issues are going to keep coming back to haunt the team, especially in the playoffs.
Matt LaFleur
Okay, look. I'm a Matt LaFleur believer, and have been for a long time. I've gotten into countless arguments defending him and the job he's done as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. I still believe that he can, and will, win a Super Bowl for Green Bay.
That being said, LaFleur should be ashamed of the product that his team put out in the first half. We've already talked about the penalties. Penalties always stem from the lack of something. It's a lack of discipline, a lack of positioning, or a lack of understanding of the rules. All of that is coachable. The lack of in-game discipline is the main point, however. The Packers consistently look under-prepared, flat footed, and ill-deserving of their status as Super Bowl champions.
-- The phrase of the week: "Stress". Boy did I feel it in this one. An absolute disaster of a first half will do that to you (believe me when I say I had a much angrier version of this article planned out in my head). Then came the comeback, the defensive stands, and the final couple of drives. That fourth down conversion alone is probably responsible for a couple of grey hairs that'll be popping up soon. The ecstasy of victory is only as good as the run up to it, though. True story: during the Cardinals last play, I had actually lost track of downs, since I was mostly focused on the clock. So when the offense came back onto the field, you can imagine the second or so of confusion, before the realization fully hit me.
-- Dontayvion Wicks was the only Packer to leave the game due to injury. The team might choose to be a bit more cautious with him this next week of practice, considering this is his second week in a row doing so. Quay Walker also was temporarily removed from the game, though he did return. We'll keep an eye on him through the week as well.
There's a couple of players who may be looking to make their return from injury next Sunday, including Christian Watson, Devonte Wyatt, Lucas Van Ness and Jacob Monk. They'll likely need all the reinforcements they can get, considering...
-- It's finally time. The Packers will play Aaron Rodgers for the first time on Sunday Night Football. Last week I called it the most important regular season game that the Packers have played since Brett Farve came back to town. I stand by that, though I do think the Favre game is probably more significant, considering the uniform he came into town wearing.
The Packers will have the opportunity to study some new-found holes in the Pittsburg defense, courtesy of a shootout with Joe Flacco on Thursday night. The Steelers will be at home, with a rest advantage, and an uber-motivated hall of fame quarterback. Green Bay has their hands full next weekend, but until then, R-E-L-A-X, run a table or two, and watch some Aaron Rodgers highlights. Get it all out of your system, because on Sunday, he's standing in between the Packers and a W.