The turning point of Sunday’s 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals arrived during a crazy three-play sequence midway through the second quarter with the Green Bay Packers ahead 17-0.
The penalty-re-kick-touchdown progression turned what could have been a close game at the half into a legitimate blowout.
After the Packers forced a three-and-out, Jayden Reed fielded a punt, broke a tackle and then fumbled the ball away, seemingly leading to a turnover that would have given the Cardinals the football at the Green Bay 23-yard line and a chance to cut the lead to 17-7.
Instead, officials called offsetting penalties, so the Cardinals re-kicked. The Packers inserted Keisean Nixon to return the punt, and he raced 39 yards to the Arizona 44-yard line.
On the first play of the ensuing Packers series, quarterback Jordan Love hit receiver Christian Watson on a 44-yard touchdown pass that put Green Bay up 24-0.
“That was a big turning point in the game that just kind of put the game in our hands,” coach Matt LaFleur said post game.
On the touchdown pass, LaFleur said the Packers picked a play from a previous game plan — and not one planned for Sunday — and executed it perfectly. The adjustment was made after the Packers saw the Cardinals playing a certain type of coverage against a certain route combination. LaFleur came up with the change up, and it sprung Watson open deep against a single safety.
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The Packers suddenly led 24-0. The Cardinals scored 10 straight to end the first half, and actually struck first to open the third quarter, but the Packers got three takeaways and 10 straight points in the second half to seal the deal.
Given a second opportunity on special teams via penalty, the Packers created an explosive return with their All-Pro returner. And like playcallers so often like to do after turnovers, LaFleur dialed up a shot play from around midfield following the return. The result was a dagger play for the Packers in a comfortable home win on Sunday at Lambeau Field.