Packer Central

Live Updates: Packers Crush Cardinals 34-13

The Green Bay Packers (3-2) and Arizona Cardinals (2-3) will battle on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Follow along all day for the latest from this key NFC battle.

Bill Huber

The scene at Lambeau Field for Packers-Cardinals.
The scene at Lambeau Field for Packers-Cardinals. / Bill Huber/Packers On SI
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GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals will battle on a chilly and potentially rainy Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Follow along all day for updates.

Final Score: Packers 34, Cardinals 13

Fourth Quarter

Packers 34, Cardinals 13 (9:28 remaining)

Brayden Narveson kicked a 41-yard field goal to extend their lead to 21. On third-and-1 early in the drive, Tucker Kraft motioned into the backfield, lined up at quarterback and snuck for a first down. Center Josh Myers was injured on the play but came back in for the field goal.

Third Quarter

Packers 31, Cardinals 13 (0:12 remaining)

Evan Williams strikes again. With the Cardinals driving late in the third quarter, he knocked the ball free from Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson at the end of a 16-yard catch. Jaire Alexander recovered at the 22.

Packers 31, Cardinals 13 (2:04 remaining)

With a chance to put the game away, Jordan Love’s passes on first and second down and Brayden Narveson was wide right from 44 yards on the field goal. The Lambeau Filed scoreboard shows the Packers leading 31-16 but it’s 31-13.

Packers 31, Cardinals 13 (2:57 remaining)

Karl Brooks ripped the ball out of the hands of running back James Conner on a screen, forcing and recovering the fumble. It’s Packers ball at Arizona’s 30 with a chance to put the game away.

Packers 31, Cardinals 13 (3:48 remaining)

On third-and-4, the Cardinals sent seven and linebacker Dennis Gardeck came through unscathed and was in Jordan Love’s face. Love chucked one toward Romeo Doubs against Sean Murphy-Bunting, who had no clue the ball was coming. Doubs caught the ball at the 1 and reached it over the goal line for a big-time touchdown to take control. It’s Love’s fourth down of the game, matching his career high, which was set against Minnesota two weeks ago.

Packers 24, Cardinals 13 (9:03 remaining)

The Cardinals have scored on three consecutive possessions to get back in the game. A 20-yard run by Trey Benson, who got inside of Kingsley Enagbare and the defensive tackle, was the big play. On third-and-6 after a pair of penalties by the Cardinals, Kyler Murray had receiver Xavier Weaver for a potential touchdown over Eric Stokes but the ball was thrown about a yard too far. Chad Ryland kicked a 40-yard field goal.

Injury update: Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison (concussion) is out.

Halftime

Packers 24, Cardinals 10

Jordan Love has been sensational, going 16-of-22 passing for 194 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers led 24-0 at one point but the Cardinals rallied. Love’s late interception – Bo Melton slipped on the play – helped the Cardinals make it a two-score game, and they’ll get the ball to start the second half.

It’s 266-134 in yards and almost a 2-to-1 edge in time of possession.

Injury update: Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) is out.

CLICK HERE FOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Second Quarter

Packers 24, Cardinals 10 (0:04 remaining)

Chad Ryland kicked a 38-yard field goal but the Packers escaped serious arm following Jordan Love’s interception. Two passes to standout tight end Trey McBride helped move the ball into the red zone. On third-and-1 from the 15, right tackle Kelvin Beachum was flagged for a false start. The Cardinals entered the game with a league-low 19 penalties but they’ve got seven in the first half.

Packers 24, Cardinals 7 (1:04 remaining)

The Cardinals have a chance to get back in the game. On first down, Jordan Love tried to hit Bo Melton on a simple out, but Melton slipped on the wet turf and the pass intercepted by Sean Murphy-Bunting. It’s Cardinals ball on Green Bay’s 45.

Packers 24, Cardinals 7 (1:56 remaining)

Kyler Murray ripped an 18-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson against Jaire Alexander to get the Cardinals on the board. Earlier in the drive, Alexander was penalized for unnecessary roughness.

Injury update: With the Packers back on the field after Arizona’s score, receiver Jayden Reed is back in the game. He had been questionable with an ankle injury.

Injury update: Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison is being evaluated for a concussion. He was hit hard by Isaiah McDuffie earlier in the quarter.

Packers 24, Cardinals 0 (4:32 remaining)

Game over? Keisean Nixon’s 39-yard punt return gave Green Bay the ball on the Cardinals’ 44. On the first play, Jordan Love threw a bomb to Christian Watson for the touchdown. Watson caught the ball at the 4 against safety Budda Baker and easily scored. Love is 14-of-19 passing with three touchdowns.

Injury update: Packers WR Jayden Reed (ankle) is questionable.

Packers 17, Cardinals 0 (4:39 remaining)

Offsetting penalties might be the biggest play of the game. After Evan Williams wrecked a third-and-1 read-option keeper by Kyler Murray, Jayden Reed fumbled the punt and the Cardinals recovered in scoring position. However, a horse-collar tackle on the Cardinals’ DeeJay Dallas nullified the play. Keisean Nixon’s 39-yard punt return has Green Bay in scoring position.

Injury update: Cardinals DT Bilal Nichols (stinger) is out.

Packers 17, Cardinals 0 (6:32 remaining)

Brayden Narveson booted a 36-yard field goal to extend Green Bay’s lead. The big play came on fourth-and-2, with Jordan Love showing impeccable touch in getting the ball over linebacker Krys Barnes to receiver Christian Watson for 15.

The Cardinals were the least-penalized team entering the game. They have four already, including on a 28-yard pass to tight end Ben Sims on the second play of the series. Bo Melton’s brother, Cardinals rookie corner Max Melton, was flagged for holding on the play.

Injury update: Cardinals LB Kyzir White (knee) is questionable.

Injury update: Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) is questionable.

Packers 14, Cardinals 0 (13:20 remaining)

On third-and-5, Quay Walker’s blitz forced Kyler Murray on the move. Karl Brooks added pressure and prevented Walker from getting around the corner. Finally, with Murray running out of room and time, he was hit by Rashan Gary and threw incomplete.

Packers 14, Cardinals 0 (14:55 remaining)

Jordan Love hit Romeo Doubs for a 10-yard touchdown on third-and-5. Doubs caught the ball at the 3, broke Garrett Williams’ tackle attempt and dove into the end zone. It is the first touchdown of the year for Doubs.

Starting at their 20, Love had all day before hitting Doubs for 19. One play later, coach Matt LaFleur called a screen into a blitz, with linebacker Mack Wilson on the attack and Emanuel Wilson having clear sailing for 19 more. On third-and-3, a swing pass to Dontayvion Wicks gained 9 when he cut back inside to move the chains. Josh Jacobs gained 16 yards after the catch on a catch for another first down.

First Quarter

Packers 7, Cardinals 0 (6:37 remaining)

Kenny Clark burst into the backfield on back-to-back plays to set up third-and-7. Kyler Murray’s pass to Michael Wilson was broken up by Keisean Nixon to force a punt, which the Cardinals failed to keep out of the end zone. On second-and-7, Clark plowed right guard Trystan Colon into the lap of Murray. Colon is starting for injured Will Hernandez.

Packers 7, Cardinals 0 (8:55 remaining)

Jordan Love threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed to give the Packers the lead. Reed ran a crossing route and beat former Packers linebacker Krys Barnes. Starting with great field position, Josh Jacobs broke three tackles on 14-yard run and Bo Melton gained 16 on an end-around, with Zach Tom, Andrew Beck and Christian Watson providing some of the blocks.

Packers 0, Cardinals 0 (11:26 remaining)

The Cardinals went three-and-out, with Quay Walker’s tackle for loss on second down and Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison not on the same page on third down. The Packers will start at Arizona’s 44, with Jayden Reed breaking one tackle on the punt return and a 15-yard penalty tacked on because of Joey Blount’s facemask penalty.

The Packers’ starting secondary was Jaire Alexander and Keisean Nixon at cornerback and Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard at safety. In nickel on third-and-9, it was Alexander and Eric Stokes at corner, Nixon in the slot, and McKinney and Evan Williams at safety.

Packers 0, Cardinals 0 (12:58 remaining)

The Packers picked up one first down but stalled on third-and-5, when the Cardinals sent six and Jordan Love overthrew Dontayvion Wicks against tight coverage by Garrett Williams. Romeo Doubs’ first snap was the fourth play of the game. Daniel Whelan’s punt bounced out of bounds at the 8.

Let’s set the table with some pregame notes.

Lineup Note

With a full-strength secondary, how will Green Bay line up? In the base defense to start warmups, the Packers went with Jaire Alexander and Keisean Nixon as the corners and Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams as the safeties.

Said defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley of Williams: “He’s a very intelligent person. I think one of the biggest things he’s done to put himself in the situation that he’s in now and having a bigger role is he’s starting to learn how to study the game more, and he’s starting to understand how serious you need to take it because when those opportunities come you have to be ready for it.”

Big Test in the Backfield

Cardinals running back James Conner is the rare running back who seems to get better with age. Last year, in Year 7 in the NFL, he had his first 1,000-yard season (1,040 yards). Now, at age 29, he is seventh with 379 rushing yards – a pace of 1,289 for the season.

Conner will be a big test. Pun intended. At 233 pounds, he’s one of the biggest backs in the league. Of 50 running backs with at least 30 carries, he is second in 10-yard runs (12), sixth in forced missed tackles (18) and 19th in yards after contact per carry (3.26), according to Pro Football Focus).

“Conner, he’s a beast,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s a big physical back that is more elusive than he leads on for a bigger guy.”

The Action Report

Some game notes from The Action Network’s Evan Abrams:

- Teams coming to Green Bay after a road game the previous week are 7-15-1 against the spread over the last decade. The Packers are 5 1/2-point favorites at DraftKings.

- Among all quarterbacks with at least 80 passing attempts, Jordan Love is last in the NFL with a 56.1 percent completion percentage. Over the last five years, Love’s completion percentage this year is third-lowest among passers with his 114 attempts through Week 5. Baker Mayfield in 2022 was the worst (54.9) and Love last year was second-worst (55.6).

- However, the Cardinals are 31st with opposing quarterbacks completing 72.5 percent of their passes.

- The Cardinals rallied for a big road upset last week at San Francisco. The last three seasons, teams are 11-27 after facing the Niners.

Packers-Cardinals Inactives

There is just one injury-related absence for Green Bay.

The Big Matchup

The Packers must neutralize perennial Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker.

Xavier McKinney Leads the Pick Parade

Last week, Xavier McKinney became the first player since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger with an interception in each of his first five games with a new team and tied the Packers’ franchise record for longest streak with an interception (Irv Comp, 1943).

“I don’t want to wish no bad luck on him, man, but I told him if he gets two more, he might as well call it off Defensive Player of the Year,” running back Josh Jacobs said. “The way he’s playing right now, the things that he’s doing, it’s crazy. It’s crazy.

“It’s so crazy for me because I seen him since his first day in college to now and I’m just proud of him. All the work that he puts in, he’s very intentional. He’s definitely that alpha in that room and on that defense. He’s one of them guys that’s going to come in and he’s going to be mad if guys aren’t meeting his standard and meeting the standard that we set as a team, and he holds everybody accountable. You’ve got to love that.”

McKinney, the NFC’s reigning Defensive Player of the Week, has intercepted a pass in six consecutive games, dating to his two-pick game with the Giants in last year’s finale. It’s the sixth-longest streak in NFL history behind Tom Morrow’s eight-game run more than 60 years ago.

“I try not to dwell on it too much,” McKinney said. “I think these are things I’ll celebrate after the season’s over with. Right now, my focus is just on being present for my team and my teammates and trying to be the best version of myself that I can be. And if I’m soaking in, ‘Oh, I did this,’ that ain’t going to help us as a team and as a defense.

“So, I’m just trying each and every week, if I do something, celebrate it 24 hours and we’re on to the next.”

Cardinals Have Streak, Too

No team in the NFL starts faster than the Cardinals, who have scored a touchdown on all five of their game-opening drives this season.

When Kyler Murray raced 50 yards for a touchdown last week against the 49ers, the Cardinals became the first team since 1993 with a touchdown drive to start each of their first five games.

If they find the end zone against the Packers to start the game, they will join the 2016 Atlanta Falcons as the only team with six consecutive game-opening touchdown drives since 2000.

Green Bay’s defense has given up two game-opening touchdown drives this year, including two weeks ago at home against the Vikings.

What Channel for Packers-Cardinals?

TV: Fox, with Kevin Kugler, analyst Daryl Johnston and sideline reporter Laura Okmin.

Is the game on TV where you live?: Yes, for most of the country. Here is the broadcast map from 506 Sports.

Radio: Here’s the list of Packers Radio Network stations, featuring Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren on the call.

Sports USA’s national broadcast will feature Josh Appel and former NFL and Wisconsin running back James White.

Packers-Cardinals Vitals

Where: Lambeau Field.

Date and time: Sunday at noon.

Records: The Packers are 3-2 and the Cardinals are 2-3. The Packers trailed the Rams 13-7 late in the first half before beating the Rams. The Cardinals snapped the 49ers’ 38-game winning streak when winning by 10-plus points in the fourth quarter.

Coaches: Green Bay – Matt LaFleur (59-29, sixth season). Arizona – Jonathan Gannon (6-16, second season).

Weather: According to WBAY-TV, it will be 50 degrees with a 100 percent chance of rain at kickoff.

The line: The Packers are 5.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook with an over/under of 47.5.

Power rankings: In Packers On SI’s Consensus NFL Power Rankings, the Packers come in at eighth this week. The Cardinals’ average spot in our eight-rankings survey is 19.6.

Majik-al History

The Cardinals had lost all six games at Lambeau Field before beating the Packers in 2018.

It’s been forever, relatively speaking, since the Cardinals faced a Packers team not led by Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre. In fact, as noted in the Cardinals’ game preview, it’s been 12,384 days since Don Majkowski started for Green Bay in a 1990 matchup against the Phoenix Cardinals.   

Actually, though, it was Anthony Dilweg who led the Packers to victory. Coming off the bench, he threw fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Clarence Weathers and Ed West.

More Green Bay Packers News

Josh Jacobs’ bizarre NFL record | Three reasons why Packers will lose to Cardinals | Three reasons why Packers will beat Cardinals | These teams excel at big plays | Packers-Cardinals Friday injury report | Romeo Doubs speaks | NFC North power rankings | A lot of options in the secondary | Packers-Cardinals keys to the game | Packers-Cardinals game preview | Christian Watson on Romeo Doubs | Packers-Cardinals: What you need to know | NFC North is best division | On SI NFL Power Rankings | Packers-Cardinals matchups 

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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.