2009 NFC Wild Card playoff game (Green Bay–Arizona)
The presentation of the flag and singing of The Star-Spangled Banner before the start of the Wild Card game | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | January 10, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Stadium | University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Arizona | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorite | Packers by 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | Scott Green | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 61,926 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TV in the United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Network | Fox | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver, and Chris Myers | |||||||||||||||||||||
The 2009 National Football Conference (NFC) Wild Card playoff game was a National Football League (NFL) Wild Card playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals on January 10, 2010. The game, which was contested at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, became notable due to its high score, which set numerous NFL playoff records, as well as its dramatic conclusion in overtime. The Cardinals, who went to the Super Bowl the previous season, hosted the Packers after winning the NFC West, with the Packers making the playoffs as a Wild Card team. It was the first playoff start for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Cardinals dominated early, jumping to a 17–0 lead in the first quarter after two Packers turnovers. The Packers finally responded in the second quarter with their first score, a short rushing touchdown. However, the Cardinals struck back, with Kurt Warner throwing his second touchdown pass of the game to restore the Cardinals' 17-point lead. The Packers kicked a short field goal as time expired in the first half to cut the deficit to 24–10. Each team scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, all on touchdown passes. The Packers, down by 14 going into the fourth quarter, tied the game at 38–38 after a successful onside kick helped them score back-to-back touchdowns. Each team exchanged touchdowns again, leaving the score tied, 45–45. Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers missed a short field goal at the end of the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.
The Packers got the ball first in the overtime period. On the first play of overtime, Rodgers overthrew an open Greg Jennings on what could have been a game-winning score. One play later, Rodgers snapped the ball and was sacked by Cardinals defensive back Michael Adams as he was about to throw. The ball came loose, bounced off of Rodgers' foot and fell right to Karlos Dansby, who returned the fumble 17 yards for a touchdown to win the game. There was some controversy on the final play, with replays showing Adams grabbing Rodgers' face mask during the sack, although the play stood and the Cardinals won. At the time, the game set the NFL playoff record for most points (96), touchdowns (13), and first downs (62), while ranking third in total yards (1,024). In 2019, on the occasion of the NFL's 100th anniversary, the league ranked this game as the 47th best in its history.