Football isn't always about the storied rivalries like the Bears and Packers or the Cowboys and Giants. Sometimes, the weirdest, most heart-stopping stuff happens between teams that only see each other every few years. That is exactly the vibe with the Green Bay Packers Cardinals matchup. It’s the second-oldest rivalry in the NFL, stretching back to 1921, and honestly, it’s produced some of the most "how is this even possible?" moments in sports history.
You’ve got a team from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin and another that’s hopped around from Chicago to St. Louis to the Arizona desert. On paper, they shouldn’t be this dramatic. But tell that to anyone who watched the 2015 playoffs or the absurd shootout in 2009.
Why the History Between These Two is Actually Insane
Most fans think of the Packers as this dominant force, and historically, they kind of are in this head-to-head. Green Bay leads the all-time series 49-24-4. That’s a lot of wins. But if you look at the modern era, especially the postseason, the Cardinals have been a massive thorn in the Packers' side.
Take the January 2010 Wild Card game. It was Aaron Rodgers’ first-ever playoff start. Most young QBs would crumble, but Rodgers threw for 422 yards and four touchdowns. The problem? Kurt Warner was on the other side and played a nearly perfect game. He had more touchdowns than incompletions for a huge chunk of that night. It ended 51-45 in overtime when Rodgers got strip-sacked and Karlos Dansby took it to the house. It’s still the highest-scoring playoff game ever.
✨ Don't miss: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
Then, six years later, we got the "Hail Larry" game. You remember this one. Rodgers throws a 41-yard prayer to Jeff Janis as time expires to force overtime. The Packers fans are losing their minds. And then, on the very first play of overtime, Larry Fitzgerald catches a short pass, weaves through the entire Packers defense for 75 yards, and then scores the game-winner a couple of plays later. It was brutal.
The Recent Reality: 2024 and 2025 Showdowns
Fast forward to the present. The dynamics have shifted, but the intensity hasn't really dipped. In October 2024, the Packers hosted Arizona at Lambeau Field and basically put on a clinic. Jordan Love was coming off a knee injury from earlier in the season and looked every bit like the franchise guy, throwing four touchdowns in a 34-13 blowout.
The Cardinals were "undercut" by penalties in that one—13 flags for 100 yards. Kyler Murray looked frustrated. Marvin Harrison Jr. left early with a concussion. It was a messy, rainy day in Green Bay that proved the Packers' defense, under Jeff Hafley, could actually take the ball away (they forced three fumbles that day).
🔗 Read more: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
But the 2025 meeting? That was a different beast.
On October 19, 2025, the Packers traveled to State Farm Stadium and narrowly escaped with a 27-23 win. This game was basically the Josh Jacobs show. He was dealing with an illness and a calf injury but still managed to punch in the go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes left.
Micah Parsons, who had joined the Packers by then, had a massive day with three sacks. It’s these kinds of gritty, back-and-forth games that define the Green Bay Packers Cardinals history. The Packers actually trailed by 10 points early on but were saved by a franchise-record 61-yard field goal from Lucas Havrisik right before halftime.
💡 You might also like: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
Breaking Down the Matchup: What People Get Wrong
People often assume the Packers' "pedigree" makes them an automatic lock in this series. But if you're betting or just analyzing the game, you've got to look at the location. Playing in Glendale is a nightmare for Green Bay. The grass is fast, the dome is loud, and the Cardinals always seem to find an extra gear at home.
- The Quarterback Factor: Kyler Murray (when healthy) is a nightmare for the Packers' contain. Even in the 2024 loss, the Packers were obsessed with keeping him in the pocket.
- The "Janis" Phenomenon: For some reason, random players become superstars in this matchup. Jeff Janis had 145 yards in that 2015 playoff game; he had 200 yards in his entire regular-season career.
- Defensive Takeaways: In the last two meetings, the Packers have survived on turnovers. If they don't get those three fumbles or the late-game batted pass like they did against Jacoby Brissett in 2025, the Cardinals probably win those games.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're watching the next installment of Green Bay Packers Cardinals, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the First Quarter: Arizona has a weirdly consistent habit of scoring on their opening drives against Green Bay. If they don't score early, they usually struggle to keep pace.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Because this is often a mid-to-late season game, soft tissue injuries (like Jacobs' calf or Murray's foot) usually dictate the speed of the game.
- The Over/Under: Historically, these games go "Over." Even the defensive struggles usually end up with someone breaking a long run or a big special teams play.
The Packers might have the "all-time" lead, but the Cardinals have the "all-time" highlights. Whether it's a 51-45 shootout or a defensive battle decided by a 61-yard kick, this matchup is never boring. To stay ahead of the curve, track the development of the Packers' young secondary against the Cardinals' vertical threats, as that’s where the 2025 game was won and lost in the final six seconds.