Sunday, January 10, 2010

End of 1st quarter: Packers 0 - Cardinals 17

For those who watched the earlier game today between the Patriots and Ravens, this game is like a repeat. And unfortunately, the Packers are reprising the role of the Patriots, going down early and digging a hole in the first quarter that will be difficult if not impossible to overcome.

The Packers took the opening kickoff and started at their 20. On the first play from scrimmage, QB Aaron Rodgers was flushed from the pocket and instead of just running out of bounds attempted to force a pass. It got tipped and intercepted at about the 40. The Cardinals took it in a few plays later for a score to go up 7-0.

On the second play of the Packers' next series, WR Donald Driver was stripped of the ball, which was recovered by the Cardinals at about the 22-yard line. A couple plays later, the Cardinals went up with another TD, 14-0.

On the Packers next series, they couldn't sustain a drive and had to punt. The defense was finally able to keep the Cards from scoring a TD, and limited them to just a field goal. 17-0 Cards. Be thankful for small favors.

Two turnovers, no ability so far to be able to get to Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, apparent blown coverages in the secondary with receivers wide open, and just getting beat on both sides of the ball.

The Packers couldn't have started any worse. What we were afraid of -- that the Cards would somehow flip the switch they did last season -- seemingly has come to pass. And Warner is lighting it up.