Penalties negate plays by Patrick Peterson, Randall Cobb in Cardinals-Packers game
Jan 16, 2016, 7:38 PM | Updated: 10:16 pm
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) makes a one-handed catch but has it called back on a penalty as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) defends during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Two key penalties during a second-quarter Green Bay drive against Arizona nixed big plays by the Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson and the Packers’ Randall Cobb.
The second, a goal-line interception by Peterson, seemingly ended with a 100-yard touchdown return.
Not only was Peterson tagged with an taunting penalty mid-return, but the play was called back completely due to a hands-to-the-face penalty on Arizona pass-rusher Frostee Rucker.
Aaron Rodgers pick 6. Returned for 100 yards by Patrick Peterson.
And another play taken away due to penalties pic.twitter.com/u4KZvvVkvU
— MarcusD (@_MarcusD_) January 17, 2016
This had Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians all like …
dramatic bruce arians pic.twitter.com/TWsOKVb75s
— Luke Zimmermann (@lukezim) January 17, 2016
While the Packers eventually reached the 10-yard line and closed the drive with a field goal to cut Arizona’s lead to 7-3, they could have made it more interesting had an earlier play stood.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed a 51-yard pass to Cobb that gave the Packers the ball at the Cardinals’ 5-yard line earlier in the drive, but that play was nixed because of three flags on the play — an illegal shift on the Packers, too many men on the field for Arizona and an illegal use of hands on Arizona. Those three penalties simply offset.
Cobb’s incredible catch didn’t stand and worse for the Packers, the second-leading receiver on an injury-depleted group left the game for good with a chest injury.
