Rodgers shreds Cardinals backups in 33-7 rout

By Bob Baum

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Jan. 3 2010 5:37 p.m. MST

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scores a touchdown during the first half on an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.

Matt York, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers knew well before kickoff that they would be playing each other again on the same field in a few days.

The Cardinals can only hope this wasn't a preview of that first-round playoff matchup.

Aaron Rodgers, playing mostly against the Arizona reserves, shredded the Cardinals in a 33-7 Packers rout on Sunday.

Rodgers played three quarters, completing 21 of 26 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown.

Charles Woodson returned an interception 45 yards for another score as the Packers (11-5) won for the seventh time in eight games.

It was the most one-sided home loss for Arizona in coach Ken Whisenhunt's three seasons with the Cardinals.

Arizona (10-6) sat quarterback Kurt Warner after one quarter. Backup Matt Leinart completed 13 of 21 passes for 96 yards and was intercepted twice.

Most of Arizona's first-team defense played only one possession.

Whisenhunt took a cautious approach in terms of a game plan, not showing much of what he would use next week, while Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy chose to play the Packers' usual high-powered game.

Woodson left the game with a shoulder injury late in the first half. Arizona cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (bruised left knee) and wide receiver Anquan Boldin (right ankle) also were injured in the game.

On the possession before he left, Woodson picked off Leinart's errant pass and raced down the left sideline, diving in for the touchdown to make it 26-0 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.

It was his third interception return for a TD this season, a franchise record.

He also broke the Packers' record with his eighth career defensive touchdown since joining the team in 2006 — seven interceptions and one fumble return. He had shared the mark with Herb Adderly (1961-69) and Darren Sharper (1997-2004).

Woodson set a career best with his ninth pick of the season. He has 45 in his career.

Arizona barely avoided its first shutout loss since the second week of the 2003 season.

Ralph Brown intercepted Matt Flynn's pass and returned it 80 yards to Cardinals 8. Brian St. Pierre threw his first NFL touchdown pass on the next play, an 3-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald, with 2:59 to play.

Get The Deseret News Everywhere

Subscribe

Mobile

RSS