Cardinals’ comeback falls short with end zone interception in final seconds

Oct 28, 2021, 9:01 PM | Updated: 9:23 pm

Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY JAKE ANDERSON

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals lost a heartbreaker to the Green Bay Packers 24-21 on Thursday Night Football at State Farm Stadium.

After a goal-line stand gave the Cardinals an opportunity to tie or win the game, QB Kyler Murray led the team all the way to the Packers’ five-yard line with 15 seconds left.

But unfortunately for Arizona, Murray’s next pass to wide receiver A.J. Green was intercepted by Green Bay DB Rasul Douglas, who spent time on the Cardinals practice squad earlier this season.

RASUL DOUGLAS INTERCEPTS MURRAY. #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/ZIDly9m0Bc

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2021

Prior to the Packers’ game-deciding defensive interception, the Cardinals defense had to stop Aaron Rodgers and Co. from taking a two-score lead.

With 3:26 to go in the contest and Green Bay leading 24-21, head coach Matt LaFleur elected to go for it on 4th-and-goal on the Cardinals’ one-yard line.

Arizona’s defense came up when it was needed most as linebacker Devon Kennard got a hand to Rodgers’ pass to force a turnover on downs.

The loss is the first for the Cardinals on the 2021 NFL season, who were the last remaining undefeated team left in the league.

It also leapfrogs the Packers over the Cardinals in the NFC standings, as both teams are now 7-1 but Green Bay owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) runs for a touchdown as Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws under pressure from Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary (52) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, right, celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle Elgton Jenkins (74) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) is hit by Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88) tries to elude Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) celebrates his sack against the Arizona Cardinalsduring the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons (9) against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt greets safety Budda Baker (3) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (7) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) pushes down Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur throws the red flag during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Keke (96) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates his touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree can't hold onto the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers fans cheer after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is talk by Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) is hit by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Krys Barnes (51) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) is tackled by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Krys Barnes (51) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers (8) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz is hit by Green Bay Packers safety Adrian Amos, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (7) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Chase Edmonds #2 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Ward (29) collides with Green Bay Packers running back Kylin Hill during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Both players left the game after the hit. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Ward, left, and Green Bay Packers running back Kylin Hill (32) are injured on a play during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Both players left the game. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs for a touchdown as Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Krys Barnes (51) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) is hit by Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark (97) celebrates after a turnover against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) celebrates his interception in the end zone with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) kneels after the Green Bay Packers intercepted the ball in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray lies on the field after being hit during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray walks off the field after being hit during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (22) and cornerback Eric Stokes (21) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) eludes the tackles of Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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