The Arizona Cardinals are NFC Championship-bound for the second time ever and the first time in seven years.
The question, now, is whether any of their emotionally abused fans have the health to stomach another game.
Just about every crazy event you can imagine took place during the fourth quarter of the Cards' 26-20 overtime win over the Packers on Saturday night at University of Phoenix Stadium.
It took every man and a little something extra but we are one step closer! #RedSea you were the difference tonight. #BeRedSeeRed
— Bruce Arians (@BruceArians) January 17, 2016
The Cards will either head to Carolina to take on the Panthers or stay home to face the Seattle Seahawks next weekend, pending Sunday's result.
It's tough to narrow this list down to three, but here goes:
1. First, that Hail Mary play.
We'll get to Larry Fitzgerald's heroics in a moment, but first, we have to discuss why they were necessary in the first place. Two words: Aaron Rodgers.
The reigning NFL MVP threw his second Hail Mary touchdown pass of the season -- a 41-yarder to Jeff Janis -- as time expired in the fourth quarter. Mason Crosby's extra point sent the game into the extra session.
Aaron Rodgers did it again: Packers down to 1 last play... Rodgers finds Jeff Janis for the HAIL MARY #Touchdown ? https://t.co/nqOSTI5eUG
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2016
Full credit to Rodgers and Green Bay, who overcame a ton of injuries -- and a 30-point loss in Glendale three weeks ago -- to nearly pull off an extremely improbable win.
2. Larry adds to his legend.
The Cardinals were collectively not good on offense Saturday, save for their future Hall of Fame wide receiver, who single-handedly willed them to victory.
Fitzgerald was back to his incredible 2008 playoff self on Saturday: He capped the Cards' win with a 75-yard catch and run in overtime, followed by a five-yard game-winning TD via a shovel pass from Carson Palmer.
You think Larry wants to get back to the Super Bowl?
Game on the line? Presenting Larry Fitzgerald...FOR THE WIN! #GBvsAZ #BeRedSeeRed https://t.co/GZoknPvs52
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2016
3. Cards need to be better from here on out.
The sign of a great team is one that can beat quality teams without playing their best. That's what the Cards did Saturday, as Palmer looked off for most of the game, and rookie rusher David Johnson had no room to run.
Arizona's next opponent -- Seattle or Carolina -- is a better overall defensive team than Green Bay is. If the Cards are going to advance to their second-ever Super Bowl, Palmer will need to be more accurate, and Arizona's offensive line will need to open more running lanes for Johnson and Andre Ellington.
