GREEN BAY, Wis. – Larry Fitzgerald expected to make the catch. Everyone expected Fitz to make the catch.
"If he had dropped it," safety Antoine Bethea said with a grin, "we would've given him some (expletive)."
It was a happy locker room in which Bethea spoke, the Cardinals thrilled with an unlikely 20-17 win at Lambeau Field over the Packers, when new kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a 44-yard field goal to give his team the lead and Packers kicker Mason Crosby missed a 49-yard try of his own right on the final play of the game.
The result was apparently so unlikely that it cost Mike McCarthy his job, with the Packers announcing he was fired soon after the game.
None of it would have been possible without the legendary receiver who hooked up with rookie quarterback Josh Rosen for a diving 32-yard gain on third-and-23, a play that if incomplete seemed certain to doom the Cardinals' hopes.
"I've been doing this a long time," Fitzgerald said. "Catching the ball is what I do."
Racing left after pressure shooed him from the pocket, Rosen let it fly, thinking if any player was going to provide a miracle, it'd be Fitz so "I might as well chuck it up." In the place where Aaron Rodgers has turned broken plays into an art form, Rosen pulled off one of his own.
"(It's) get away from the bad guys initially," Rosen added. "It's kind of a game between you and the pursuit. Aaron is one of the best ever at doing it. I have to work on it."
It didn't hurt to have a future Hall of Famer on the other end.
"I saw Josh get flushed out to the right and we went to the scramble drill," Fitzgerald said. "We work on those plays all the time."
Rosen's numbers were not great. The temperature was freezing, the snow fell in the first half and the Cardinals (3-9) historically didn't play well at Lambeau Field, having lost all three appearances there since moving to Arizona. So to have him complete only 11-of-26 passes for 149 yards wasn't a shock.
He was playing behind an offensive line that featured by the end not one player who was supposed to be a starter heading into training camp, and three who weren't even on the roster prior to Oct. 23. Mike Iupati left with a knee injury so Colby Gossett had to play left guard; D.J. Humphries had a setback with his knee, forcing Will Holden – who just signed a few days before – into the lineup at right tackle.
Rosen didn't turn the ball over however – he did throw a near pick that was dropped, although Rodgers had two that the Cardinals dropped – and engineered the drive the Cardinals (3-9) so desperately needed.
The Cardinals were on their own 12 when Rosen found Fitzgerald, who tied Jerry Rice for the most receptions ever for one franchise. It was memorable. It also meant the Cardinals didn't have to punt from their own 12.
"I just spoke with Fitz walking over to this press conference," coach Steve Wilks said. "Great play. Turning point. It's hard to say it's routine for a guy like that, but pretty much it is."
Gonzalez, who was cut from the Browns in Week 2 after missing multiple field goals, easily converted his 44-yard try. But that left 1:41 for Rodgers (31-for-50, 233 yards, one touchdown), a miracle worker who – the last time he played the Cardinals – came up with two different miracle Hail Mary passes to force overtime. The degree of difficulty this time wasn't as hard.
"You know how good he is, man," said defensive end Markus Golden, who was chasing Rodgers on those 2015 playoff plays and again at the end Sunday. "Anytime you play a great quarterback like him, you can't think about what he did (before). At the end of the game, you know he can make plays, so I was just trying to figure out ways to get to him."
Rodgers did what he had to, but with the wind kicking up, Crosby's try faded right and the Cardinals had their victory.
"I couldn't be more proud of a group of men," Wilks said. "With all the noise circling around, these guys came together."
The Cardinals were in that position because of a defense that never let the Packers (4-7-1) a chance to get going offensively – Green Bay converted only 3-of-14 third downs, and rushed for only 98 yards, 84 less than the Cardinals.
The Cardinals' rookies were also on display – wide receiver Christian Kirk had a key 23-yard run and 37-yard catch to spark a third-quarter field-goal drive, and running back Chase Edmonds scored his first two NFL touchdowns while rushing for 53 yards on just five carries – as the team tries to build behind Rosen for the future.
This game won't fit in the all-time highlight film alongside the Cards' two recent playoff wins over the Packers. But it was the first time the franchise had won in Green Bay since 1949, what had been an eight-game losing streak. It was beautiful on a dreary day during what had been a dreary season.
"Being 2-9, we could just tank it and not really care," Bethea said. "But the way we came on the road, regardless of what their record is, going against a great team, to get a win, it does a lot for us."
Images from the Week 13 matchup in Green Bay
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks in a post game news conference following an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. Arizona won 20-17. McCarthy was fired as head coach following the game. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks in a post game news conference following an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers have fired McCarthy and made offensive coordinator Joe Philbin the interim head coach. The move announced by team president Mark Murphy came after a 20-17 loss on Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, dropping Green Bay to 4-7-1.(AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy watches a play on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers have fired McCarthy and made offensive coordinator Joe Philbin the interim head coach. The move announced by team president Mark Murphy came after a stunning 20-17 loss on Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, dropping Green Bay to 4-7-1. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a diving catch for a first down late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. Arizona won 20-17. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) rushes for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals players celebrate a win after a last minute missed field goal by the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. Arizona won 20-17.
Zane Gonzalez nails the field goal to put the Cardinals ahead 20-17
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald talk out on the field following the conclusion of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. Arizona won 20-17.
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby reacts after missing a last second field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. The kick would have taken the game into overtime but instead resulted in a 20-17 win for Arizona.
Larry Fitzgerald comes up with an incredible catch
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones rushes for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter to tie an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
The Cardinals celebrate the win at Lambeau Field
Cardinals QB Josh Rosen (left) meets with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (right) after the game
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) is hit during a run by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) and Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Josh Rosen scrambles
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald lines up for a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) rushes for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen scrambles while being rushed by Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Patrick Peterson celebrates after the Packers miss their field goal try
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds is hit on a rushing play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, left, is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Leonard Johnson, right, after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
RB Chase Edmonds scores a touchdown
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling jumps to make a catch while being covered by Arizona Cardinals defensive back David Amerson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is hit on a run play by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hodges during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
K Zane Gonzalez hits a field goal at Lambeau Field
RB Chase Edmonds fights for extra yards
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (33) and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) celebrate after a play against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is hit during a run by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
QB Josh Rosen looks for the pass
DE Chandler Jones sacks Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
CB Patrick Peterson enjoys the snow before the game
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hands the ball off during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
RB Chase Edmonds tries to break into the end zone
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham signals first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen hands off the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
The Cardinals tackle Packers RB Aaron Jones
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones rushes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
The Cardinals defense gets a stop at Lambeau Field
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers slides to down the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Snow falls on WR Larry Fitzgerald
Head coach Steve Wilks at Lambeau Field
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
QB Josh Rosen warms up for the game
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen warms up before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
DE Benson Mayowa
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joe Walker warms up before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen warms up before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen signs autographs before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
Equipment managers test out audio in helmets on Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis.
A snow covered Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis
