The Arizona Cardinals secured an unlikely upset in frigid conditions Sunday, thanks in part to a former ASU star who redeemed himself in a big away.
The Cardinals pulled off a stunning 20-17 victory over the host Green Bay Packers for just their third win of the season. Playing in his first game for the Cardinals, former Sun Devil kicker Zane Gonzalez, who was cut by the Cleveland Browns early in the season, made a 44-yard field goal with 1:41 left that ultimately gave the Cards the victory.
The Packers had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but Packers kicker Mason Crosby missed a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
The Cardinals beat the Packers in Green Bay for the first time since 1949.
Two-for-two in his debut.
Both from 44 yards.@ZaneG_5 gives us the lead! pic.twitter.com/e5x1diU6Uc
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 2, 2018
The victory is the Cardinals' first against a team other than the San Francisco 49ers this season. The Packers dropped to 4-7-1 this season and lost their first game at home this year. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers had been 16-1 in December home games during his NFL career.
Rodgers and the Packers tied the game at 17-17 in the fourth quarter, but rookie quarterback Josh Rosen led the Cardinals on a late drive. Larry Fitzgerald made a terrific third-down catch to keep the drive going. The catch gave him 1,280 for his career, tying him with Jerry Rice for the most catches in NFL history with one team.
He caught that?
Of course he did.
He's @LarryFitzgerald. pic.twitter.com/wTIm5NN7AO
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 2, 2018
Gonzalez is the NCAA's all-time leader in made field goals and he was drafted by the Browns last year. But he was released by the team after missing multiple field goals and extra points that lead to a Cleveland loss. Gonzalez received the ire of Ohio native LeBron James and received hateful messages from Browns fans on social media following his missed kicks.
The Cardinals signed Gonzalez last week and elevated him to the active roster after veteran kicker Phil Dawson was placed on injured reserve. Gonzalez was perfect Sunday, connecting on both of his field-goal attempts (both from 44 yards) and both of his extra-point tries.
Rookie running back Chase Edmonds scored both of Arizona's touchdowns Sunday, the first two TDs of his NFL career.
