Packers Rally Late, Hold Off Cardinals in Thrilling 27-23 Victory
The Green Bay Packers managed to secure a hard-fought 27-23 victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, demonstrating a resilience that had eluded them in previous road outings. After struggling to close out games against the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys earlier in the season, the Packers turned the tide, making the critical plays when it mattered most. This analysis delves into the snap counts, highlights one standout player, identifies a disappointing performance, and pinpoints the defining play of the game.
Offensive Snap Counts Against the Cardinals
In total, the Packers executed 56 offensive snaps. Quarterback Jordan Love was at the helm for every single one. Although it wasn’t his most impressive performance, Love managed to lead three of his final four drives—excluding the kneel-down at the end—into the end zone.
The running back situation presented its own challenges. Josh Jacobs, limited by a calf injury, saw his playing time restricted to 31 snaps, marking his lowest output of the season. In contrast, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks had minimal impact, with 19 and seven snaps respectively. Jacobs not only had superior stats but also provided better blocking support, while Wilson rushed for 17 yards on six carries, amassing 25 yards after contact according to NextGen Stats.
At wide receiver, Dontayvion Wicks faced a setback, dropping out with a calf injury after just 15 snaps. This left Romeo Doubs to carry the load, logging an impressive 50 snaps, while Matthew Golden followed closely with 41 snaps and Malik Heath contributed 23. Doubs emerged as the leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 72 yards. Golden started strong with three catches on the opening series but finished with four, while Wicks managed just one catch for five yards.
In the tight end department, Tucker Kraft played the majority of snaps—50 in total, which equates to 89 percent of the offensive plays. This performance aligns with his season average and included a critical touchdown catch, showcasing his evolution as a reliable target. Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick contributed 24 and 16 snaps respectively, but Musgrave, who had a promising rookie season, found himself without a target in this game.
The offensive line maintained a consistent presence throughout, with no rotations. The starting five of Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan, and Zach Tom played the entire game. Despite the pressure from the Cardinals, which amounted to only one sack and 11 total pressures—10 of which were attributed to Micah Parsons—the run game struggled, averaging just 72 yards on 19 carries. Walker and Banks were the only members of the offensive line to incur penalties, each committing a five-yard infraction.
Defensive Snap Counts and Standout Performances
On defense, the Packers were on the field for 76 snaps, with Micah Parsons stealing the spotlight with a remarkable three-sack performance. Playing 54 snaps, Parsons showcased his dominance, marking his third game in the last four where he exceeded 50 snaps. Rashan Gary also made his presence felt with a crucial sack-strip, contributing 47 snaps to the defensive effort.
With Lukas Van Ness sidelined, Kingsley Enagbare stepped up with 32 snaps, while Barryn Sorrell added 30 snaps, both exceeding their previous season highs. Defensive tackle Karl Brooks, who has transitioned from backup to starter in recent weeks, played 52 snaps and was instrumental in generating pressure, including an assisted tackle and drawing a holding penalty during the Cardinals’ final drive.
Colby Wooden was another key figure on the defensive front, logging 42 snaps and making impactful contributions, including a pivotal pressure that led to Gary’s sack. Rookie Warren Brinson also made his mark with 33 snaps, recording a key tackle for loss on a first-and-goal situation in the fourth quarter.
Defining Moments of the Game
In what was a roller-coaster of a game, the defining play came from Tucker Kraft. His critical fourth-and-1 catch set the stage for the Packers’ winning touchdown, showcasing not only his growth as a player but also the Packers’ ability to step up in crucial moments.
This victory in the desert marks a significant turnaround for the Packers, illustrating their potential as they navigate the challenges of the season ahead.
