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5 Takeaways From Arizona Cardinals’ Win Over Green Bay Packers In NFC Divisional Playoff

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I don’t even know where to begin. This was without a doubt the most exciting football game I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Just when you thought the Arizona Cardinals were walking away with a 20-13 victory, Aaron Rodgers hits another Hail Mary. Then in overtime, Larry Fitzgerald makes the two biggest plays of the season to send the Cardinals to the NFC Championship Game. Here are five takeaways from this amazing game.

5. Bruce Arians Needs To Understand Time And Clock Situations Better

Bruce Arians Needs To Understand Time And Clock Situations Better Getty Images
With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, the Cardinals had the ball in field goal range with a four-point lead. Instead of running the ball three times and leaving the Packers with well under two minutes left to score a touchdown, Arians decided to call a pass play on second down that resulted in an incompletion. The extra time he left on the clock gave Rodgers the opportunity to hit the game-tying Hail Mary.

With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, the Cardinals had the ball in field goal range with a four-point lead. Instead of running the ball three times and leaving the Packers with well under two minutes left to score a touchdown, Arians decided to call a pass play on second down that resulted in an incompletion. The extra time he left on the clock gave Rodgers the opportunity to hit the game-tying Hail Mary.

4. Dwight Freeney Has Been Defensive MVP For Second Half Of Season

Dwight Freeney Has Been Defensive MVP For Second Half Of Season Getty Images
Dwight Freeney joined the Cardinals on October 12 and proceeded to record eight sacks in only 10 weeks. On Saturday night, he got to Rodgers for a sack and a hit. With the rest of the defense struggling to get pressure on quarterbacks, Freeney has been a godsend.

Dwight Freeney joined the Cardinals on October 12 and proceeded to record eight sacks in only 10 weeks. On Saturday night, he got to Rodgers for a sack and a hit. With the rest of the defense struggling to get pressure on quarterbacks, Freeney has been a godsend.

3. Defense Was Shaky

Defense Was Shaky Getty Images
The Cardinals' defense is usually one of the best in the league when playing at home, but they got a little bit exposed against a Packers offense that was sans Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. The unit will need to find their A-game for the NFC Championship Game.

The Cardinals' defense is usually one of the best in the league when playing at home, but they got a little bit exposed against a Packers offense that was sans Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. The unit will need to find their A-game for the NFC Championship Game.

2. Carson Palmer Gets Better With Age

Carson Palmer Gets Better With Age Getty Images
Although he played rather atrociously for the majority of the game, Palmer made plays when his team needed him to. He finished with 349 yards and three touchdowns while completing a 75-yard pass on a nice scramble play in overtime. Palmer must eliminate the turnovers if the Cardinals are going to win next week.

Although he played rather atrociously for the majority of the game, Palmer made plays when his team needed him to. He finished with 349 yards and three touchdowns while completing a 75-yard pass on a nice scramble play in overtime. Palmer must eliminate the turnovers if the Cardinals are going to win next week.

1. Larry Fitzgerald Is Still A Beast

Larry Fitzgerald Is Still A Beast Getty Images
When the Arizona Cardinals needed a response to the Packers' Hail Mary, they turned to Larry Fitzgerald in overtime. He had two catches in OT, including a 75-yarder and the game-winning touchdown. On the night, Fitzgerald finished with eight catches for 176 yards and a touchdown.

When the Arizona Cardinals needed a response to the Packers' Hail Mary, they turned to Larry Fitzgerald in overtime. He had two catches in OT, including a 75-yarder and the game-winning touchdown. On the night, Fitzgerald finished with eight catches for 176 yards and a touchdown.

Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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