The turning point in Sunday’s 34-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals came during a wild three-play sequence midway through the second quarter when the Green Bay Packers were leading 17-0.
The progression of a re-kick and try turned what could have been a tight first-half game into a legitimate blowout.
After the Packers forced a three-and-out, Jayden Reed punt, broke a tackle and then fumbled the ball, seemingly leading to a turnover that would have given the Cardinals the ball at the Green Bay 23-yard line and a chance to cut the lead to 17-7.
Instead, officials ordered compensatory penalties, so the Cardinals kicked again. The Packers inserted Keisean Nixon for a punt return, and he ran 39 yards to the Arizona 44-yard line.
On the first play of the Packers’ next series, quarterback Jordan Love hit receiver Christian Watson on a 44-yard pass to give Green Bay a 24-0 lead.
“That was a big turning point in the game that kind of put the game in our hands,” coach Matt LaFleur said after the game.
LaFleur said that after the touchdown pass, the Packers chose a play from the previous game plan – not the one planned for Sunday – and executed it perfectly. The adjustment was made after the Packers saw the Cardinals play a certain type of coverage on a certain combination of routes. LaFleur came up with a changeup that left Watson open deep against a single safety.
The #Packers were joyful to have their main threat back in the game this week. pic.twitter.com/RXr6hgkrTG
— Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) October 14, 2024
The Packers suddenly had a 24-0 lead. The Cardinals scored 10 straight points to end the first half and actually scored first to open the third quarter, but the Packers scored three takeaways and 10 straight points in the second half to seal the deal.
Given a second chance on special teams as a penalty, the Packers put together an explosive comeback with a returning All-Pro. And as quarterbacks often like to do after a turnover, LaFleur opted for a substantial shot from midfield upon his return. As a result, the Packers played like a dagger and won at home on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
