Packers Keep on Struggling, Lose to Cardinals 20-17

The Green Bay Packers (4-7-1, 1-2-1 NFC North) continued to struggle Sunday, this time against the Arizona Cardinals of the NFC West (3-9, 2-2 NFC West). In the process, the Packers dropped what should have been an easy win on their schedule,20-17, to the Cardinals at home. It was the first home loss of the season for the Packers and their mistakes and mishaps from weeks prior only trickled on into what was a snowy matchup at Lambeau Field.  

 

The Green Bay Packers (4-7-1, 1-2-1 NFC North) continued to struggle Sunday, this time against the Arizona Cardinals of the NFC West (3-9, 2-2 NFC West). In the process, the Packers dropped what should have been an easy win on their schedule, 20-17, to the Cardinals at home. It was the first home loss of the season for the Packers and their mistakes and mishaps from weeks prior only trickled on into what was a snowy matchup at Lambeau Field.

“It’s the same things that we unfortunately say every week and I hate to repeat myself but it’s applicable,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said at the post-game presser. “We’re just not on the same page consistently, we’re not executing the right way. We all have a part in that. We’ve all picked out time to mess up a third down.”

The Cardinals, with the worst offense in the NFL, had more yards, points, first downs, third down-conversions and yards per play than the Packers according to Zach Kruse.

As Mason Crosby missed the game tying field goal as time expired, any hope for a miracle playoff run for the Packers expired too.

What we learned: Time to blow it all up

As my colleague Aaron Nagler would say, it is seriously time for the Packers to “blow it all up”. Starting from top to bottom this entire Packers team needs a reevaluation. I doubt to see a mid-season firing of Coach Mike McCarthy, but today’s loss only further solidified what is probably the end of the McCarthy era in Green Bay.  

Aaron Rodgers continued to make uncharacteristic mistakes Sunday and according to ESPN statistics, finished 31 for 50 for 233 yards and a touchdown. Rodgers was noticeably frustrated after multiple overthrown passes, the most notable to a wide-open Davante Adams for what would have most likely been a touchdown.

The poor defensive performance speaks for itself. Making what is the worst offense in the NFL look halfway decent on their own home field is an ironically painful representation of what this season has ended up being for the Packers  

What went right: Jaire Alexander on punt returns and Rodgers makes history

Rookie Jaire Alexander has been a bright light in what has been a rather dark time in Green Bay this season and it was no surprise that his energy and speed propelled him to a strong performance on special teams Sunday. Alexander had a nice 24-yard return in the second quarter for the Packers, which lead to an eventual Mason Crosby Field goal.

Although is performance was below his standard, Aaron Rodgers etched himself into another piece of history in Sunday’s game, as he threw his 295th consecutive pass attempt without an interception. With that, Rodgers breaks Bart Starr’s team record of 294 from the 1964-1965 seasons.

What went wrong: There is a laundry list of things

In Sunday’s loss to Arizona, Green Bay’s lack of ability to make plays was front and center.

  • Rodgers missed what should be easy throws.
  • Receivers, both veterans and rookies, dropped what should have been easy catches.
  • The defense, letting what has been a lackluster Cardinals offense all year, come to life.
  • McCarthy just forgetting Aaron Jones exist in the second half.
  • Crosby missing the game tying field goal.

You get it, the list goes on.

Offensive Player of the Game: Davante Adams

Another week, another Davante Adams touchdown. It seems like with the exception of running back Aaron Jones, Adams is one of the few players that can get the ball moving for Green Bay’s offense.

At the post game, Rodgers said that he has “confidence” each time he lines up with Davante Adams is on the field and that he is a “difference maker.”

According to ESPN statistics, Adams led the team in receiving with 8 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive Player of the Game: Blake Martinez

In what was a lack luster defensive performance for most of the game, linebacker Blake Martinez just seemed to be the most consistent. With a team leading, 10 total tackles, 5 of which were solo, according to ESPN stats, Martinez was able to at least somewhat disrupt the Cardinals offensively.

Up next, the Packers get a visit from the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set for 1 PM EST.

 

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__________________________

Sarah Kelliher is a contributor for CheeseheadTV and a podcaster with Pack-A-Day Podcast. She can be found via Twitter @sarahkelliher4

 

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Comments (48)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
TKWorldWide's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:14 pm

Very UNPleasant dropped INT, MVS “mystery stumble”.

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TKWorldWide's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:02 pm

No problem at all with replacing MM. Is there any practical advantage to doing it now rather than at season’s end?

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HankScorpio's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:49 pm

Losing is contagious, just like winning. I don't want them to close out the season at 0-4. I'd much rather it be 4-0, even if it costs them 5-6 spots in the draft order.

I don't know whether Philbin will be able to change anything but today told me that McCarthy was not going to change anything.

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cpabandit's picture

December 02, 2018 at 07:04 pm

The Packers will get a jump on interviewing for MM's replacement. It is very desirable to coach Aaron Rodgers, the famed Green Bay Packers in the famous Lambeau Field and a team with the greatest fans. Something not many coaches would want to pass up.

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TKWorldWide's picture

December 02, 2018 at 08:14 pm

1. Don’t they have to wait?
2. I’m not sure coaching AR is all that desirable.
3. No argument there.

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Bearmeat's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:18 pm

Calling a spade what it is: This is a shitty team we are all fans of.

1. The entire coaching staff should be let go, with the possible exception of Pettine. McCarthy SHOULD be fired right bloody now.
2. Every single 2nd contract veteran except ARod, Bakh, Daniels, Adams needs to be released after the year.
3. Restore a traditional GM role to Gute.
4. I'm leaning towards an AHole new head coach who will tell ARod that he's going to play on schedule and throw to all levels of the field where it's warranted, or he'll see the bench. Yes. I'm pissed off enough to say that.

I'll come out and say it - I'm hoping that they lose out. Except for the Bears. I want a top 5 pick.

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Coldworld's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:50 pm

So should Murphy be. This mess started in the Front Office. Keep Pettine and Gute. Sweep the rest away.

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Packers0808's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:57 pm

I wonder what makes everybody think Pettine will stay if McCarthy leaves, remember McCarthy must be a pretty damn good coach because he was the ONE who hired Pettine and seeing everyone wants to keep thus the guy that hired him should also be kept with all your thinking!

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mrj007's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:07 pm

McCarthy is a good coach only because of Rodgers. Just like Belichek is good because of Brady. Difference is Pats = 5 super bowls, Packers =1. It's almost like McCarthy succeeds despite his inadequacy..

NEWE FLASH - ESPN reports Packers fired McCarthy!

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cpabandit's picture

December 02, 2018 at 07:08 pm

I disagree that Belichek is good because of Brady. I have never seen a smarter, better-prepared coach who find the perfect players for the perfect spots in the NFL, EVER! Let's not forget that the Falcons gave the Patriots a win a few years ago and before that Pete Carroll gift wrapped a win for Brady and Patriots. Otherwise, the Patriots would be 3 -5 in SBs.

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cpabandit's picture

December 02, 2018 at 07:11 pm

I disagree that Belichek is good because of Brady. I have never seen a smarter, better-prepared coach who find the perfect players for the perfect spots in the NFL, EVER! Let's not forget that the Falcons gave the Patriots a win a few years ago and before that Pete Carroll gift wrapped a win for Brady and Patriots. Otherwise, the Patriots would be 3 -5 in SBs.

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jhalwas611.com's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:09 pm

The guy that hired Pettine needs to be held accountable for the totality of his job. A good hire after many years is not enough to retain someone who seems to have lost the ability to coach and motivate this team.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:54 pm

- Fire MM
- Rodgers, Bahk, Adams, Jones, Smith, Martinez, Alexander to IR.
- Get the top 5 pick.
- Draft a QB round 1.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:11 pm

McCarthy reportedly fired. Wow!

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TKWorldWide's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:00 pm

It only makes sense; if they have no shot at the playoffs, I’d rather they go winless and pick as early as possible.

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ollie418's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:19 pm

Out coached again!

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mcduff67's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:19 pm

Enough of the Sh-t!!! Flush the Toilet.....!

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ollie418's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:20 pm

Fire MM today!

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Packers0808's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:58 pm

And in your grand wisdom on every post who do you replace him with?

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Mojo's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:15 pm

It's been done.

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Pjay's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:29 pm

The corrections should start with dismissal of both MMS - Murphy and McCarthy. Each one seems to incompetent.

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Lphill's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:41 pm

Special teams is atrocious, at the very least Zook should be fired today, then McCarthy

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Coldworld's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:56 pm

Start with the keystones: McCarthy, then Murphy. The rest can wait for the new regime—superlative special teams the rest of the year won’t change our fate this year.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:42 pm

When are we going to get our 1 game winning streak back?

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CAG123's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:47 pm

Man this team has so many holes I don’t even see how they’re competing next year unless they hit a home run draft like the Saints did. It really does seem like like mistakes of past drafts has finally caught up to this team. TT never prioritized the LB position, neglected the TE, miss fired on CBs and safeties it’s a mess now couple that with not resigning or misusing guys like Hyde, Hayward and Randall who has developed in a mighty fine FS now the Oline needs work and WR and possibly a kicker.

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Bert's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:50 pm

Ty Montgomery is actually playing well and could help the Ravens make the playoffs. What a crazy year.

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Bure9620's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:52 pm

Reset button will get set sooner now, man there are lots of holes on this roster with poor coaching and a mismanaged roster. Gute will have more cap to work with and 2 1sts. See where this goes. There are some very critical decisions that need to be made by this FO and decisions that cannot be botched or we will see years of futility.

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Lphill's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:51 pm

What does a coach have to do to get fired in Green Bay?

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Packers0808's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:00 pm

I guess win more games in 13 years than lose!

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Altered Idol's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:52 pm

Excellent summary of the game, the team and what needs to be done. Definitely needs to be an uncompromising review of everything, even Murphy himself. Gute is the only one who should be under no pressure, given what he inherited.

Going to be a big off-season and draft for the Packers. We've got alot of things to fix and finite resources to do it. Definitely have a few pieces to work with but alot of deadwood to ship out, players and coaches alike.

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badaxed's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:55 pm

"Turn out the lights the parties over". Buy that train ticket for the Pittsburg doughboy. Time for the executive committee to meet in special session and plan for the future. The axe will fall hard in Green bay. the clock is ticking....…………….

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Oppy's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:14 pm

The last thing anyone should want is the executive committee getting too involved in football operations.

If they don't like Murphy's leadership, the should decide who will replace him, and stop any meddling past that.

Unless, of course, you think a bunch of bankers and hot dog vendors know how to run a football team.

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Stic's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:55 pm

Dump the Pumpkin and Nagler is never right. Lol

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dblbogey's picture

December 02, 2018 at 05:58 pm

I wish the draft wasn't 5 months away.

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flackcatcher's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:03 pm

McCarthy's gone.

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edp1959's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:05 pm

Just announced McCarthey fired.

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Kterr's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:06 pm

Wow, fired as soon as game was over??!! Damn

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Imafan's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:08 pm

There definitely is a new thinking going on! Murphy trying to save his job?

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flackcatcher's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:13 pm

Yes. But he made this mess, so I expect the executive committee to give him his exit interview early. (Murphy on his last year of contract, so he is done)

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Biggar's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:09 pm

It's official mm is fired. Philbin interim hc.
Panic in Green Bay
Big gar

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Oppy's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:11 pm

One down, One to go. Difference being, trade Rodgers for picks instead of firing him.

Go Pack

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Lphill's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:12 pm

Merry Christmas to all !!!

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pooch's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:13 pm

MIKE M FIRED

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Fire_Gute's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:13 pm

Time to can Mccarthy. Don't care who replaces him, get an interm coach and start hitting the college guys hard. Could go either way with Pettine, if a new coach wants his guy then let it happen. Get back to a real power structure. Andd to everyone who thinks that's going to sink us for another 2 years, I strongly disagree. Andrew luck looks good in the first year under Reich, the Rams were good last year and great this year, the Bears look way better with major coaching and personal change. Not saying there won't be a hiccup, but it doesn't have to be a setback.
I also know that people are going to bring up Rodgers contract. Yes, he's paid a lot. But we're not paying a running back, cb, s, and hopefully no OLB, no Mlb, really nobody on defense. Daniels is probably number one, not sure who is number 2. We can easily be 50 million under the cap with Rodgers, with only Kenny Clark in line for a pay day.

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Mojo's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:21 pm

Well, considering how Rodgers loves Philbin and now Philbins the interim HC maybe they consider him as the permanent HC.

That would the satisfy the Rodgers getting along with the new HC part of it. Maybe not what I would do but they don't listen to me.

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mrj007's picture

December 02, 2018 at 06:21 pm

Looks like time ran out for McCarthy to get it fixed. Philbin interim HC. Zook somehow still employed....

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prenasharma's picture

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shrishti kakkar's picture

February 01, 2019 at 01:42 am

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