Cards vs. Packers playoff shootout up for classic game vote

Mar 21, 2013, 8:52 PM | Updated: Mar 22, 2013, 7:05 pm

One of the most exciting games in Arizona Cardinals history came against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round of the 2009 playoffs.

A quarterback duel between then 38-year-old
Kurt Warner and second-year starter, Aaron Rodgers, made the contest an instant classic.

Warner threw more touchdowns (five) than incomplete passes (four) while Rodgers aired it out for 404 yards and four TD’s. Early on the game didn’t have the makings of a classic, as Arizona jumped out to a 31-10 lead in the beginning of the third quarter. Rodgers then put the Packers on his back, passing his way to a 45-45 tie with 1:52 left in the fourth. A missed 34-yard field goal at the end of regulation by Arizona kicker Neil Rackers sent the game into overtime.

However, Green Bay’s reliance on the pass also brought them to their demise when, on the fourth play of overtime, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby recovered a Rodgers fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The score propelled the Red Birds to a 51-45 victory and capped the highest-scoring playoff game in league history.

Now, Kurt Warner’s last home game as an Arizona Cardinal lives on, or it could, depending on the fans’ vote.

Football fans have the chance to choose between five classic NFL matchups. The winner will be aired Saturday Mar. 30, at 8 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.

If chosen, viewers will be able to hear from Green Bay running back Ryan Grant and Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans, who were both mic’d up for the game.

One of the greatest games in franchise history faces some tough competition in polls, though.

The 2009 offensive shootout will have to beat the 1981 Chargers vs. Bengals game known as the “Freezer Bowl”, an overtime win for the Packers over their rival Vikings in 2000, the 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Colts and eventual Super Bowl XL winning Steelers, and the 2007 thriller when the Patriots edged out the Ravens 27-24 on Monday Night Football.

Polls will close on Thursday Mar. 28, although fans can vote as much as they please up until then.

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Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet reacts after a 15-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet (80) breaks away for a 15-yard touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) is stopped short of the end zone by Green Bay Packers' Tramon Williams (38), Brandon Chillar (54) and Atari Bigby (20) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner reacts after teammate Tim Hightower carried for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Alan Branch (78) recovers a Green Bay Packers fumble in front of Packers' Greg Jennings (85) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) jumps over a teammate after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner throws during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet (80) is hit by Green Bay Packers' Atari Bigby (20) in the end zone on a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy talks to kicker Mason Crosby (2) after Crosby missed a field goal during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet (80) celebrates after catching a 15-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Early Doucet (80) loses his helmet as he is hit by Green Bay Packers' Atari Bigby (20) in the end zone on a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) sneaks into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers (12) evades the rush of Arizona Cardinals' Michael Adams (27) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston (15) is tripped by by Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson (21) after a catch during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers' Atari Bigby (20) grabs the face mask of Arizona Cardinals' LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers (12) gets away from the rush of Arizona Cardinals' Michael Adams (27) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy talks to quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers (12) throws while being rushed by Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett (90) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) gives a thumbs-up to wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) after Nelson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Bryant McFadden wraps up Green Bay Packers' Jermichael Finley during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. McFadden was called for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a touchdown pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Matt Giordano (47) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers' Ahman Green (34) dives for a first down in front of Arizona Cardinals' Antrel Rolle (21) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers' James Jones (89) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts to an incomplete pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston (15) catches a pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Tramon Williams (38) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston reacts after catching a 17-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston (15) catches a 17-yard touchdown pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Nick Barnett (56) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson (21) reacts to a pass interference call during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) goes up for a pass between Green Bay Packers' Nick Collins (36) and Charles Woodson (21) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Woodson was called for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Michael Adams (27) hits Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and causes a fumble during the overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona's Karlos Dansby recovered the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown. Arizona won 51-45. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby (58) run back a fumble after Rodgers was hit by Michael Adams (27) during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona won 51-45. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell celebrates with Karlos Dansby (58) after Dansby recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona won 51-45. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald celebrates after Arizona defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner kisses his wife, Brenda, in the stands after the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) talks to Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson after the Cardinals defeated the Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt celebrates the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals' Tim Hightower, Kurt Warner (13), Stephen Spach (83) and Jason Wright (31) and Green Bay Packers' Mason Crosby (2), from left, pray after an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona won 51-45 in overtime. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Fans cheer during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers during the first half of the team's NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Korver Demma, 5, of Chandler, Ariz., tries to catch a football before the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Jeff Sinay, of Tempe, Ariz., tailgates outside University of Phoenix Stadium before the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Duncan Rush, of Madison, Wis., takes some pictures of cheerleaders before the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

Brian Ohmart throws a football outside the University of Phoenix Stadium before the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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