A.J. Green's Costly Miscue Led to Packers' Thrilling Victory Over Cardinals

The Packers knocked off the league's last undefeated time in dramatic fashion.

A.J. Green left everyone, including his Cardinals teammates, wondering what happened with the costly miscue that resulted in the NFL's lone undefeated team getting dethroned.

The wide receiver, who has spent 10 seasons in the league with seven featuring Pro Bowl honors, ran into the end zone against single coverage and seemed just to stop. He didn't cut or turn around as Kyler Murray's pass sailed past Green into the arms of Green Bay's Rasul Douglas, securing its 24-21 victory. 

For a brief minute, it looked like Arizona could come back from its three-point deficit with just over three minutes to go in the fourth after Cardinals linebacker Devon Kennard deflected Aaron Rodgers's pass on 4th and goal from Arizona's 1. 

The Cardinals took over, and with an undefeated season on the line, Murray and the Cardinals offense marched down the field through a series of clutch receptions to Green, Christian Kirk and Chase Edmonds.

Green had the chance to seal the victory, but a Madden-esque glitch led to Murray's first red-zone interception this season.

WOOOOOOOW!!!

PACKERS WIN 🤯🤯🤯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/8Z1vckX9W6

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 29, 2021

Douglas, who previously played on the Cardinals practice squad earlier this season, was added to Green Bay's active roster three weeks ago. 

Rodgers said in a postgame interview that it was tough to watch the end of the game, but he credited the playmaking ability of this team.

"It was tough. ... what happened down there in the end zone but what he [Douglas] came up with a play with 15 seconds left is incredible," Rodgers said. He has meshed well with us. ...this is why I love this squad."

Rodgers went 22-of-37 and threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns in a game without his top targets in Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard. 

In addition to Rodgers performance, the Packers leaned on their rushing attack, producing 151 yards and a touchdown on the ground between AJ Dillon (78 yards) and Aaron Jones (59 yds) after an underperforming week prior against the Washington Football Team.

"This is a scrappy team, a gritty team, I am proud of our guys," Rodgers said. "To have these guys come out and play the way they did, to watch our defense come out with a victory on the road, this is what it's all about."

The Packers (7-1) have won seven straight games since their season-opening loss to the Saints. The Cardinals (7-1) failed to achieve their first-ever 8-0 start in franchise history.