Once again, Mike McCarthy’s strategy kept the opponent in the game, and allowed them to have the chance to win toward the end. The Packers came into the game missing many key starters and lost three more key starters during the game, so it was critical for them to get a big lead and put the game away so the Cardinals wouldn’t have a chance to win the game due to injuries, turnovers, fluke plays, etc. So, let’s see what this week brought:
In the third quarter, up 21-7, the Packers started a drive at the Cardinal 17. This was a chance to put the game away. They ran on first down for 2 yards, and once they ran, I said it was obvious they were playing for the field goal even though they didn’t realize it. The first-down run did stall the drive, so the Packers kicked a field goal, keeping the Cardinals in the game.
The Packers started their next drive at midfield, and again, a touchdown could have pretty much ended the game since they were up 24-7 and a TD would have made it 31-7. The Packers ran on first down for 2 yards, and punted. Again, a first-down run stalled a key drive. Since this kept the Cardinals in the game, the Cardinals scored a TD to make it 24-14 midway in the third quarter.
On the Packers’ next drive, where it was critical to score and regain momentum, they ran on second down for 3 and third down for no gain, so had to punt. Again, runs stalled a drive. The Packers were missing many starters and were only in a 10-point game as a result of being conservative. With less than a minute to play in the third quarter, the Cardinals, still with momentum, kicked a field goal to pull within a touchdown at 24-17.
At 31-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Packers again had a chance to put the game away by going up 3 scores, but ran on first down for 5, ran on second down for 4, ran on third down for no gain, and punted. Runs stalled the drive. Had the Cardinals scored a TD, it would have been a one-score game.
With about 5:00 left, the Packers again didn’t try to get a first down and tried to run the clock, resulting in a punt. The Cardinals were driving for the TD that would pull them within one score, but the Packers held.
Game after game, McCarthy lets teams hang around where things could happen to cost them the game, instead of putting games away. With all the injuries they have, this is even more important. I don’t know if he will ever get this.