His 60-yard reception on fourth-and-20 gave the Packers a glimmer of hope – and things got better from there. Fitzgerald rambled all the way to the Green Bay 5-yard line. The 32-year-old darted through tacklers for 75 yards as the screaming Cardinals fans finally drowned out the visiting Cheeseheads. After Arizona won the second coin toss to open overtime (there was a do-over because the coin didn’t flip the first time), quarterback Carson Palmer threw across the field to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the first snap of the extra period. Larry Fitzgerald may be the only guy who takes it up multiple levels.
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January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is taken to the locker room after suffering an apparent injury against Arizona Cardinals during the first half in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium.
As simple as that word is, that describes him best. New England’s Rob Gronkowski surpassed Dave Casper and Vernon Davis for the most touchdown catches by a tight end in postseason history with eight, including two in the Patriots’ 27-20 win over Kansas City…. On the night, Fitzgerald totaled 176 yards.
“As an elder statesman on this team I just try to elevate my game and make plays for my teammates”, he said.
The Cardinals advanced to next Sunday’s NFC championship game against either the Panthers or Seahawks, but it wasn’t easy.
“Losing in that fashion, especially with the offense pulling that out, another ‘Hail Mary, ‘ is unbelievable”, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews said. Janis caught the ball 5 yards deep in the end zone with a leaping grab in front of All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Rashad Johnson for the touchdown.
Rodgers said when the Cardinals called timeout before the play, “I figured they were going to bring an empty pressure look, which teams hadn’t done”.
Instead, the Packers got the ball back and, after a 17-play drive that lasted 7:31, they had to settle for a 28-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.
The Cardinals, who mismanaged the clock on their last possession enabling Rodgers late-game miracle, found themselves in overtime against a team that had more than just momentum on their side Saturday night. Arians’ Arizona Cardinals were happy to ride the roller coaster that was their 26-20 overtime victory in the NFC divisional playoff game.
Palmer and Floyd connected for the second time, this time from nine yards, to give Arizona the lead and Catanzaro made it 20-13 with two minutes remaining with a 36-yard field goal. On a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, he drove the Cardinals 80 yards, culminating in a 9-yard completion to Michael Floyd on a tipped pass intended for Fitzgerald.
And it overshadowed yet another Hail Mary touchdown pass by Aaron Rodgers. But in playoff football and especially with Aaron Rodgers magic, it wasn’t enough. “I think it was No. 83 (Janis)”. Smart call. Defensively, Aaron recognized it, bought some time and slid to his left and, shoot, I don’t know if anybody could make that throw.
“My damn jaw was on the ground, ” he said.
PASSING- GB, A.Rodgers 24-44-1-261.
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On the season, Carson Palmer completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns against 11 interceptions throughout the season.
