Now that it’s been almost 24 hours since the Cardinals’ stunning loss to the Green Bay Packers, I finally feel like I have emotionally recovered well enough to put down a few thoughts on the game. I had a funny feeling leading into Thursday’s game that this week felt very trap-game-esque for my Cardinals, but I was really hoping they’d prove me wrong. They did not. It was indeed a trap game. And it ended SO UGLY. I mean, I still feel nauseous thinking about the back of AJ Green’s helmet, but that’s neither here nor there…
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please don’t enjoy this moment of Cardinal confusion:
Like, that’s super bad. BRB gonna go throw up after watching that again.
After the game, everyone from QB Kyler Murray and HC Kliff Kingsbury said it was a simple miscommunication and a wrong route, but boy that’s not how you want to end the game. In a game where the Packers certainly outplayed the Cardinals, it would’ve been devastating for Green Bay to lose on the last drive of the game. However, the loss ended up being devastating for Arizona in the number of ways.
First and foremost, Kyler Murray got rocked on the last drive of the game. While all eyes were on Green Bay’s Rasul Douglas, Murray was still on the ground, his body in pain after getting hit hard a few plays prior. After the game, Murray was limping but insisted during the post-game press conference that he was fine and it was nothing to worry about (while he was in a walking boot…). Not only did Murray get banged up, but super star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was dealing with a hamstring injury for much of the game.
The possible injuries to Hopkins and Murray paled in comparison to injuries sustained by Cardinals’ backup runningback Jonathan Ward and Packers’ tight end Robert Tonyan. During a kickoff in the third quarter, Ward made a hard tackle and Tonyan immediately grabbed for his knee once he hit the ground. Scary stuff, but it was made even more scary when Ward just didn’t move after hitting the turf. Both players were taken off the field on carts, with Ward in a full brace. I won’t post the play, because frankly it makes me upset to see, but just know it was tough to watch. I don’t have an update on Ward, but last night he was being evaluated for a concussion and had feeling in all of his extremities. So for a football player, it could’ve been worse, which is just a preposterous statement. Tonyan, however, is now out for the season with a torn ACL.
And as if there weren’t enough injuries, the Packers also lost rookie RB Kylin Hill to a season-ending knee injury. AZ is also looking at the possibly of JJ Watt being done for the year after it was revealed he needs shoulder surgery. GM Steve Keim said on a local radio program Friday that Watt could return before the end of the season, but that’s not guaranteed. Overall, it was just a really sucky night for both teams. Yes, Green Bay got a win, but they lost key players and it was ugly. The Cards suffered their first loss of the season, but also had key players get really beat up. This game could have ramifications later in the season, but not for the reasons you typically expect. The injuries sustained during the game could end up being significant, particularly for the Cardinals if they lose Watt, Hopkins or Murray for any period of time. Though I love watching football on Thursday, I feel like there are always a lot more injuries and you have to think the players and staff would prefer not to play those games. The NFL will never get rid of them because it’s just another way to make money, but this was yet another subpar product and the players suffered for it.
In truth, I am not terribly upset the Cardinals lost - Green Bay played a better game, but I’m sick about how the game ended. My hope is that the Cardinals enjoy a long ten days off and are prepared to get back in the saddle against the 49ers in Week 9. I’m just excited for this weekend because it’ll be the first weekend in a long while where I can just watch football all day Saturday and all day Sunday. And, of course, I’ll watch the World Series! It shall be glorious! Fingers crossed these World Series games get a little more exciting…