The Cardinals survive and advance -- even after a Hail Mary by the Packers and several wild sequences.
Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer needed only two plays in overtime. First, Fitzgerald covered 75 yards on a catch-and-run on the first play of overtime, then he took a shovel pass 5 yards to win it, 26-20. The Cardinals advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Aaron Rodgers had sent it to overtime with a 41-yard Hail Mary to Jeff Janis as time expired.
Michael Floyd’s second touchdown catch came off a deflection and made it 17-13 with 3:44 left in regulation. The Cardinals got a quick stop and a field goal, giving Rodgers one last chance to tie the game. He did on a high-arching throw made on the run, but Palmer ended up getting the last chance.
Defense and missed opportunities were the stories of the first 50 minutes of the game. Twice in the first half the Packers had 17-play drives end in field goals, and the Packers intercepted Palmer twice in the second half, the second time in the end zone.
Janis had two catches all season but delivered a big game after a chest injury forced Randall Cobb out. He finished with seven catches for 145 yards and actually had 101 yards on two catches on the final drive of regulation after a penalty.
The Cardinals will host the NFC Championship Game if the Seahawks win in Carolina Sunday. If the Panthers win, the game will be in Carolina.
Rodgers was 24-of-44 for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Palmer was 25-of-41 for 349 yards.