The last time the Packers visited University of Phoenix Stadium, it ended up being the end of an era. It was a fantastic game, with Kurt Warner finishing with more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four) in what he knew at the time was his final game at home. And, of course, there was the stunning overtime ending, when reserve defensive back Michael Adams came in on a blitz to strip-sack (with the help of a missed facemask/hands to the face call) Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, with linebacker Karlos Dansby returning it for the touchdown.
"Yeah, I think there might have been something like that," Rodgers said this week.
The return visit Sunday for the Packers is not a playoff game. Both teams will be in the playoffs regardless of the loser. But it means so much for both sides. For the Cardinals, wrapping up a bye — with an injury list that has grown the last couple of weeks — would be nice.
The players know this. The talk in the locker room has been all about clinching that bye. The focus after clinching the division hasn't waned, not outwardly (something that didn't seem to be the case back in 2008 when the Cards clinched.)
-- Arians had a big smile Friday afternoon. The Cardinals held practice much later than a normal Friday, in order to allow for Christmas morning home with the family. Arians also allowed for families to attend practice, making for a relatively sizable group watching.
"Largest crowd ever today," Arians said with a grin.
-- Quarterback Carson Palmer was limited all week because of the finger that got dinged in Philly, but he's fine. Arians said he looked very good in practice Thursday and Friday.
-- Palmer, by the way, turns 36 on Sunday. Wouldn't be a bad birthday present to himself to get a win.
-- If the Cards win and sew up a bye — and the Panthers win, which would seal the No. 2 seed — the finale against the Seahawks will mean nothing. So might Arians rest players? "Hopefully, we can have that conversation," he said.
But Arians did chuckle at the idea of "resting starters," noting the Cardinals can only dress 46 players total and injuries can play a factor on who is available. "We're talking maybe three to five possible guys (to rest)," Arians said.
-- With two games left, the Cardinals have already surpassed their rushing yards total by more than 400 yards this season. The Cards, sixth in the NFL in rushing, have gained 1,769 yards on the ground. And now Andre Ellington should be back to supplement David Johnson.
-- The Cardinals have 52 touchdowns this season and only 51 punts. That's a crazy stat. The franchise record for TDs in a season is 53, set in 1948. That should be broken Sunday.
-- Hope everyone had a good Christmas. On to Sunday — which just happens to be the Cardinals' first afternoon home game since they lost to the Rams way back on Oct. 4. Lots of road games and primetime games since then.
