Record Breaking Playoff Game in Arizona

    In an instant classic in Arizona, the Cardinals outlasted the Green Bay Packers in overtime on an Aaron Rodgers fumble that was returned for a touchdown by the Cardinal defense to win 51 to 45.  This was certainly the best playoff game of the wild card weekend, and most likely will be the best game seen throughout the playoffs.  We all knew this was going to be a much higher scoring game than what we saw last week between these two teams, but I don't think anybody thought that the Cards and the Packers would put up 96 points, 1024 yards, 62 first downs,  and 13 touchdowns.  Now that's a heck of a game!!  And by the way, that 96 points is the most in NFL postseason history.

    The big story in this game were the quarterbacks that were leading the way, as Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner completely carved up the respective defenses mostly throughout the second half, as the Packers put together an absolutely incredible comeback to get back in a game in which early on many I'm sure were ready to flip the channel.  Led by their young star Quarterback, the Packers refused to lie down to the home team Cardinals, as Rodgers threw 4 touchdowns and netted over 400 yards passing.  Tight End Jermichael Finley caught 6 passes for 159 yards, while Wide Receiver Greg Jennings pulled down 8 catches for 130 yards and a TD....unbelievable!!  Jennings also had the catch of the weekend, as he hauled in a one handed left hand catch for a touchdown that for sure hit the highlight reel. 

       On the other hand, the ageless wonder of Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner was on full display Sunday afternoon, as Warner threw for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns, with no INT's.  Warner might want to consider a career hunting after this game, as he was a complete marksman, completing 29 of 33 passes for the third best completion percentage in playoff history, a ridiculous 87.9%.  Furthermore, Warner threw more touchdowns that incompletions and had a god like 154.1 passer rating which is also second highest in playoff history.  Even with star Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin on the sidelines with an injury, there was no stopping the Arizona offense, as Early Doucet and Steve Breaston more than pulled their weight to fill in for the star wideout.  Wideout Doucet had 2 touchdowns on 6 catches for 77 yards, while Breaston hauled in 1 touchdown on 7 receptions for 125 big yards.  Of course pro bowl Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald also joined in on the fun, as Fitzgerald pulled down 6 receptions for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns.

       It became very evident in the fourth quarter of this game that whomever had the ball last was most likely going to win, as each pass happy offense completely had their way with previously strong team defenses.  It was great for NFL fans to watch a game that was so very exciting, as the three other playoff games this weekend were not tightly contested and did not provide the anxiousness and edge of your seat emotions that this game brought to your living room.  It's really too bad that the game had to end on an Aaron Rodgers turnover, as he played an excellent game and has really showed everyone that his skills and knowledge of the game are far beyond his years.  Hopefully we'll see another classic next weekend with the powerhouse matchups that are upcoming, but before we move on we all should tip our cap to what a phenomenal game we were able to see this Sunday between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals....well done gentlemen....well done!