Sunday, January 03, 2010

End of 1st quarter: Packers 14 - Cardinals 0

With the ViQueens whupping the living daylights out of the Giants in the first game of the afternoon, the Cardinals really don't have much to play for. And through the first quarter, that shows.

The Packers scored on their first two drives of the quarter. They took the opening kickoff and wound up going the distance, being aided by a crisp passing game as well as by penalties. The big penalty came on a pass interference penalty which put the ball at the Cardinals' 1-yard line. After a catch by TE Jermichael Finley was ruled to be out of the endzone, Ryan Grant took a pitch from QB Aaron Rodgers and -- following a crushing block by rookie FB Quinn Johnson -- scooted into the endzone for the first score. The initial PAT attempt was blocked, but the Cardinals were offsides. The second attempt was good. Packers 7 - Cardinals 0. Oh, and Donald Driver went over 1,000 yards for the season with his first catch of the day.

The Packers held the Cardinals on their first possession, playing aggressive and tight defensive once again.

The Pack started their second drive inside their own 10-yard line. The big play of the drive came on a 51-yard pass to WR Jordy Nelson to the 1-yard line. Rodgers took it himself on the next play, right over center. Packers 14 - Cardinal 0.

The Packers offense looks as good as it has over the last winning stretch. And the defense is also performing solidly. The Pack had 10 first downs in the quarter to 2 first downs for Arizona.

Looks as if the Cardinals are shutting it down early, as was to be expected given the result of the ViQueens game. The question now will be how long the Packers play their starters.