Josh Jacobs runs for 2 TDs, Micah
Parsons has 3 sacks as Packers rally past Cardinals 27-23
[October 20, 2025]
By DAVID BRANDT
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The majority of this road trip didn't go well
for the Green Bay Packers, who waited on a tarmac several hours
because of travel delays on Saturday before falling into a 10-point
hole in the first half on Sunday.
Thanks largely to Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons, a potentially
frustrating weekend had a happy ending.
Jacobs ran for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 1:50 remaining,
Parsons had a career-high three sacks and the Packers rallied from
an early deficit to beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23.
“From the moment we got on the trip, nothing seemed to go right,”
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “Then in-game, there were a lot of
things that didn't go right. But the guys kept battling and that's
what it takes in this league.”
Green Bay (4-1-1) fought through a sluggish first half to win its
first road game of the season. The Packers had plenty of adversity
even before the kickoff — the team’s travel was delayed roughly five
hours on Saturday because of mechanical issues with their airplane
in Wisconsin.
Parsons said the team spent the lengthy downtime playing cards and
bonding. That camaraderie came in handy on Sunday.
“As long as we've got each other, we're straight,” Parsons said.
“The way we stayed together was big.”
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 6 seconds left. Brissett — filling in for the injured
Kyler Murray — threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
“I've got to do a better job at the end of the game and making the
right decisions,” Brissett said. “There are some throws that more
than likely could have changed the outcome of this game.”
The Cardinals have lost five straight by a combined 13 points.
They're just the third NFL team to lose by four points or less in
five straight, joining the 2017 San Francisco 49ers and 1984
Cleveland Browns.
Jacobs was a game-time decision because of a calf injury, but
produced his third straight two-touchdown game. He finished with 55
yards rushing and also ran for a seven-yard touchdown in the third
quarter.
“Josh is a dog,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “He's one of
those guys that you know you're going to get his best every time. He
loves the game. He finds a way to make plays and put the team on his
back.”
Love completed 19 of 29 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
[to top of second column] |
Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons sacks Arizona Cardinals' Jacoby
Brissett during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct.
19, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Parsons finished with three sacks, four tackles for
loss and five quarterback hurries, making life difficult for
Brissett all afternoon. The two-time All-Pro had a crucial sack of
Brissett on the final drive and said he was surprised that there
were so many one-on-one opportunities to make plays in the
backfield.
“When we get those looks, we've got to take advantage of them,”
Parsons said.
The Cardinals had the ball and a 23-20 lead with 5:58 left but
Brissett was stopped short of a first down on a fourth-and-1
quarterback sneak. That gave the ball to the Packers at the Arizona
48.
Green Bay methodically moved downfield — converting an important
fourth-and-2 pass to Tucker Kraft — before Jacobs fought for the
1-yard touchdown on the 10th play of the drive and a 27-23 lead.
Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught two touchdown passes,
including a 12-yard score with 4:17 left in the third quarter for a
20-13 lead.
McBride's also caught a 15-yard touchdown with 7 seconds remaining
in the first half, giving the Cardinals a 13-3 lead. The Packers
managed to make it a one-score game by halftime when Lucas Havrisik
booted a franchise-record, 61-yard field goal as time expired,
cutting the margin to 13-6.
Havrisik was signed on Oct. 11 to fill in for Brandon McManus, who
is dealing with a quadriceps injury.
The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead on the opening drive after Chad
Ryland's 32-yard field goal. It was the first time Green Bay had
given up points in the first quarter all season. Bam Knight led
Arizona with 57 yards rushing.
Injuries
Packers: WR Dontayvion Wicks (calf) left the game in the second
half.
Cardinals: Murray (foot) was among six inactives. RB Emari Demercado
(ankle) and S Kitan Crawford (ankle) were also out.
Up next
Packers: At Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Cardinals: At Dallas on Monday, Nov. 3.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
