GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Josh Jacobs ran for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 1:50 remaining, Micah Parsons recorded a career-high three sacks, and the Green Bay Packers rallied from an early 10-point deficit to beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 on Sunday.
Green Bay (4-1-1) overcame a sluggish first half to claim its first road victory of the season. The Packers faced additional adversity over the weekend as their travel was reportedly delayed by roughly five hours on Saturday due to mechanical issues with their airplane in Wisconsin.
Arizona (2-5) had a chance to win the game on its final offensive drive, but Jacoby Brissett’s fourth-down pass was batted away in the end zone with just six seconds remaining. Brissett, who was filling in for the injured Kyler Murray, threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals have now lost five straight games by a combined total of 13 points. They are just the third NFL team to lose by four points or less in five consecutive games, joining the 2017 San Francisco 49ers and the 1984 Cleveland Browns.
Jacobs was a game-time decision due to an illness and a calf injury but still managed his third straight two-touchdown performance. He finished with 55 yards rushing and also scored on a 7-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Green Bay’s Jordan Love completed 19 of 29 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. Parsons was a dominant force on defense, finishing with three sacks, four tackles for loss, and five quarterback hurries, consistently pressuring Brissett throughout the afternoon.
Late in the game, with the Cardinals holding a 23-20 lead and 5:58 remaining, Brissett was stopped short of a first down on a critical fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak. This turnover gave the Packers possession at the Arizona 48-yard line. Green Bay then methodically advanced downfield, converting a crucial fourth-and-2 pass to Tucker Kraft before Jacobs powered in for the 1-yard touchdown on the 10th play of the drive, giving Green Bay a 27-23 lead.
Cardinals tight end Trey McBride had a strong performance, catching two touchdown passes. His 12-yard score with 4:17 left in the third quarter put Arizona up 20-13. McBride also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass with just seven seconds remaining in the first half, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 13-3.
The Packers managed to narrow the gap to one score by halftime thanks to a franchise-record 61-yard field goal by Lucas Havrisik as time expired. Havrisik was signed on October 11 to fill in for Brandon McManus, who is sidelined with a quadriceps injury.
The Cardinals initially took a 3-0 lead on the opening drive after Chad Ryland connected on a 32-yard field goal. This marked the first time all season that Green Bay had allowed points in the first quarter.
**Injuries**
– Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) left the game in the second half.
– Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) was among six inactive players.
– Running back Emari Demercado (ankle) and safety Kitan Crawford (ankle) were also out for Arizona.
**Up Next**
– Packers: At Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 26.
– Cardinals: At Dallas on Monday, Nov. 3.
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