An Unlikely Hero Saved the Packers’ Secondary and Ruined the Cardinals’ Undefeated Season

After the Chargers’ top cornerback Jason Verrett tore his Achilles in Week 2, it looked like San Diego’s victory over Green Bay was assured. Then one fan surprised everyone with a last-minute touchdown to hand Green Bay their first loss of the season.

The “robert tonyan fantasy” was a last-minute hero for the Packers. The Cardinals’ undefeated season came to an end when Tonyan intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Over the last several years, Thursday Night Football has established a reputation for showing less-than-stellar games. On paper, the Green Bay Packers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 had all the makings of an instant classic.

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals were unbeaten on the one hand. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, on the other side, had won six consecutive games.

While most Cardinals supporters were sick to their stomachs after the game, the Thursday battle certainly lived up to the anticipation.

The Packers were rescued by an unexpected hero.

During this NFC matchup, we witnessed a little bit of everything. DeAndre Hopkins, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, played despite agony the whole game. Zach Ertz, a recent Cardinals addition, caught four passes. Aaron Jones, a running back with the Green Bay Packers, rushed for over 100 yards. Murray and Rodgers each showed flashes of MVP-caliber play.

Despite the star-studded event, it was an odd and unheard-of man who helped Green Bay close the deal.

Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas came away with an end-zone interception with the game on the line and Murray and the Cardinals only yards away from going away with a victory. Because Cardinals WR A.J. Green never even turned around, it seemed to be a somewhat foolish play. Douglas, on the other hand, was in the right position at the right moment and made the play that ended Arizona’s hopes of being undefeated in 2021.

Douglas’ journey to become a starting cornerback for Green Bay during a pivotal NFC showdown is a fascinating one.

Before arriving in Green Bay, Rasul Douglas had traveled a long way.

Rasul Douglas was signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad only three weeks ago by the Packers.

He made the game-winning interception on Kyler Murray on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/O8ixihM88k

October 29, 2021 — B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron)

Douglas, a West Virginia University graduate, was picked first overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. Douglas’ Philly career was unappealing, despite his little role in the team’s Super Bowl victory as a rookie.

He bounced about between starter and bench roles for the most of his career with the Eagles. He didn’t suit defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s system and was eventually dismissed during training camp in 2020.

Douglas regained his footing with the Carolina Panthers the next year. His victory, however, was fleeting. Despite his outstanding performance in Carolina’s secondary, he had no employment offers the following summer. Before being claimed by the Packers on October 6, 2021, he spent time on three practice squads (Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, and Cardinals).

Due to a lack of depth in the Green Bay roster, Douglas was shoved into the starting lineup immediately away. His last-second heroics against his old club will almost certainly earn him more time with the Packers in the future.

Will Douglas be able to make an impact in the Packers’ secondary?

Packers CB Rasul Douglas.

Packers CB Rasul Douglas. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/Rasul Douglas

The Packers’ defense has been a problem for many years. They seem to be eager for a lift in whatever way they can.

Is Rasul Douglas capable of providing that boost?

Based on how his Eagles career ended and his lack of free agency interest this past winter, common sense dictates no. Douglas is a big-bodied, sluggish cornerback who struggles with long throws. Only on throws near the line of scrimmage has he shown himself to be useful.

Green Bay, on the other hand, may be the new start he’s been looking for. Douglas is a young man, barely 26 years old. There is obviously room for improvement.

Regardless, he made a huge play against the Cardinals on Thursday Night Football and deserves to feel good about himself. Because of that lone interception, he’ll almost certainly get another chance in Green Bay.

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RELATED: The 49ers’ Controversial Draft Decision Is Under Fire After Terrifying Reports of Season-Ending Surgery

The “packers news” is a story about how an unlikely hero saved the Packers’ secondary and ruined the Cardinals’ undefeated season.

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