Packers Edge Cardinals 42-38 in Preseason Finale

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 42-38 in a high-scoring preseason finale at Lambeau Field, with Kyle McCord’s four-touchdown passing performance leading an 18-point fourth-quarter rally Friday night.

Green Bay improved to 2-1 in the preseason after responding to a seven-point deficit entering the final period. The Packers and Cardinals were tied 3-3 after one quarter, then traded productive offensive stretches in the second. Green Bay put up 21 points in the quarter while Arizona scored 17, sending the Packers into halftime with a 24-20 edge.

Arizona seized control in the third quarter. The Cardinals blanked Green Bay 11-0 and carried a 31-24 lead into the fourth, putting the Packers’ late-game execution under the spotlight. Green Bay answered with 18 points over the final 15 minutes, while its defense limited Arizona to one touchdown in the quarter. That closing surge turned a seven-point deficit into a four-point preseason win.

The result was especially meaningful in the final week of the preseason, when quarterbacks, skill-position players and depth pieces are making their final cases before regular-season roster decisions. Neither side needed overtime, but the fourth-quarter scoring swing supplied the kind of pressure situation teams hope to evaluate before the games count in September.

Key Performers

Kyle McCord paced the Packers’ passing attack with an efficient and productive 22/35, 226 YDS, 4 TD line. McCord’s four scoring throws accounted for much of Green Bay’s offense and helped the Packers find the end zone repeatedly after Arizona’s third-quarter push. An interception total was not included in the available game data.

Evan Hull gave Green Bay balance on the ground, carrying 16 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. His 107-yard effort made him the game’s rushing leader and ensured the Cardinals had to account for more than McCord’s passing attack.

J. Michael Sturdivant was McCord’s top receiving target, posting 6 REC, 112 YDS, 1 TD. Sturdivant supplied half of McCord’s passing yardage and delivered the game’s top receiving total, providing a standout audition in a crowded preseason setting.

NerdSports Stat: Green Bay scored 18 fourth-quarter points after managing 24 points across the first three quarters, a 75% increase over its prior scoring total.

Arizona fell to 1-3 despite scoring 38 points and winning the third quarter 11-0. The Cardinals showed plenty of offensive resilience, but Green Bay’s final-quarter response made the difference. With preseason play complete, the Packers next host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 13, while Arizona will visit the Los Angeles Chargers the same day as both teams turn toward the regular-season picture.

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