The Packers allowed 156 yards rushing, nearly double their league average, as part of a poor defensive effort in Sunday’s 51-45 overtime loss to the Cardinals.
Said Packers LB A.J. Hawk, “They showed a few things they didn’t last week, but it doesn’t matter. You still have to stop it. The offense, what they did to keep us in it, and to have us in position to win, was unbelievable. I think we just let them down tonight.”
Packers TE Jermichael Finley set a team playoff record with 159 yards receiving.
A holding penalty by Packers G Daryn Colledge on the second play of overtime helped create a situation where the Cardinals could call the third down blitz that led to the game-ending touchdown by LB Karlos Dansby.
That fumble and an interception on the first offensive play of the game bookended an otherwise terrific day for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.
Cardinals CB Michael Adams was picked on all day and was called for three penalties before sacking Rodgers and forcing the fumble on the game-winning play.
Cardinals QB Kurt Warner threw more touchdowns than incompletions and finished with 379 yards passing, his NFL playoff record-tying sixth game with more than 300 yards.
Said Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett, “Everybody picked us to lose, and now Aaron Rodgers can go home and practice putting his little belt on and go and shovel some snow out of his driveway.”
In addition to scoring the winning touchdown, Dansby tipped a pass that was intercepted and forced a fumble in a game that may help him when he sits down to negotiate a contract with the Cardinals.
Cardinals wide receivers Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, stepping up to replace injured WR Anquan Boldin, combined for 13 catches, 202 yards and three touchdowns.