Sunday, January 03, 2010

End of 2nd quarter: Packers 26 - Cardinals 0

The Packers' first drive of the second quarter ended with their first punt of the day, which was actually caught by the Arizona returner at the 1-yard line...and that's where he was tackled. Thank you very much.

The Arizona coaching staff decided it wasn't worth exposing QB Kurt Warner to possible injury and replaced him with backup Matt Leinart. On a pass play from his endzone, Leinart was picked off by Atari Bigby. But wait! There's even better news. A lineman was called for holding LB Clay Matthews...in the endzone...which meant a safety...2 points for the Pack! Packers 16 - Cardinals 0.

The Packers took the ensuing punt but stalled out and had to settle for a 26-yard field goal attempt by Mason Crosby...which he made...from the right hash mark!

On the Cardinals' next series, Leinart was again picked off, this time for real. Charles Woodson got his 9th interception of the season, and returned it 45 yards for his third interception returned for a TD this season. Packers 26 - Cardinals 0.

There was a great sign by one of the many Packer fans in the stands: "3/4 of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Charles Woodson." Great.

The Cardinals started to engineer a bit of a drive late in the quarter but that was snuffed out as Leinart overthrew his receiver near the endzone and had it picked off by Atari Bigby.

The only negative was that prior to Bigby's interception Woodson left the game favoring his right arm/shoulder. Hopefully, it's nothing major. Losing Woodson going into the playoffs would be a serious blow to the defense.

Overall, a great half on both sides of the ball by the Pack. There's no reason for head coach Mike McCarthy to expose his starters any further in this game. Time for the backups to get some playing time and for the starters to rest up.

Go Pack Go!!!