Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats
The Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats from August 29, 2026 tell a much more interesting story than the final score alone. Green Bay survived a high-scoring game 42-38, but Arizona produced several strong individual performances, especially on the ground and through its receiving corps. Green Bay, meanwhile, was more efficient through the air, protected the football better overall apart from one lost fumble, and created decisive plays on defense and special teams.
The final score was close enough to make the game look evenly balanced, but the statistical profile reveals different strengths on each side. Arizona finished with 326 passing yards and 166 rushing yards, while Green Bay recorded 226 passing yards and 83 rushing yards. That means Arizona generated considerably more total offensive yardage, yet Green Bay converted its opportunities into points more effectively.
This is exactly why player statistics matter. A box score can explain not only who won, but also how the game developed, which players created the biggest advantages, and why the losing team can still have several standout performers.
Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats
The August 29, 2026 matchup finished:
| Team | Final Score | Record |
| Green Bay Packers | 42 | 2-1 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 38 | 1-3 |
The quarter-by-quarter scoring makes the comeback nature of the game especially clear.
| Quarter | Arizona Cardinals | Green Bay Packers |
| 1st | 3 | 3 |
| 2nd | 17 | 21 |
| 3rd | 11 | 0 |
| 4th | 7 | 18 |
| Final | 38 | 42 |
Arizona built momentum in the third quarter by holding Green Bay scoreless while adding 11 points. However, Green Bay responded with 18 fourth-quarter points and ultimately secured the four-point victory.
The statistical lesson is important: Arizona’s offense produced more yardage, but Green Bay’s scoring efficiency and defensive impact proved more decisive.
Quarter-by-Quarter Game Analysis
First Quarter: A Defensive Start
Both teams scored only three points in the opening quarter.
Arizona and Green Bay each entered the scoreboard with a field goal, producing a 3-3 tie. Neither offense immediately separated itself, suggesting that the game initially developed as a more controlled contest.
The opening quarter is useful when analyzing the final result because it establishes how dramatically the game changed later. The 80-point final total did not come from a fast opening. Most of the offensive explosion happened after the first quarter.
Second Quarter: Both Offenses Accelerate
The second quarter produced 38 combined points.
Arizona scored 17, while Green Bay answered with 21. By halftime, Green Bay had built a 24-20 advantage.
This was the first major offensive swing of the matchup. Green Bay’s passing attack became particularly important, with Kyle McCord eventually finishing the game with four touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Arizona also found considerable success during this period. Its eventual 326 passing yards and 166 rushing yards demonstrate that the Cardinals were consistently capable of moving the football.
Third Quarter: Arizona Takes Control
The third quarter belonged to Arizona.
The Cardinals scored 11 points while Green Bay failed to score. That gave Arizona a significant momentum advantage and demonstrated the effectiveness of its offense after halftime.
Evan Hull’s rushing production was particularly valuable during the game. His 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns gave Arizona a dependable source of production on the ground.
Despite that success, Arizona could not maintain its advantage through the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Green Bay Finishes Strong
The fourth quarter decided the game.
Green Bay scored 18 points compared with Arizona’s seven. That 11-point difference erased Arizona’s late-game advantage and produced the final 42-38 result.
This is arguably the most important statistical detail in the entire matchup. Green Bay did not dominate the game from start to finish. Instead, the Packers finished much stronger when the result was still in doubt.
Kyle McCord’s Four-Touchdown Performance
Kyle McCord was the most important statistical performer for Green Bay’s offense.
He completed:
- 22 of 35 passes
- 226 passing yards
- 6.5 yards per attempt
- 4 touchdown passes
- 0 interceptions
- 3 sacks for 27 yards
- 119.5 passer rating
The most striking number is the touchdown-to-interception ratio. McCord threw four touchdowns without giving Arizona a passing interception.
His 119.5 passer rating also stands out in a game where Green Bay’s rushing attack produced only 83 yards.
That combination tells us something about how Green Bay won. The Packers did not need a dominant running game because their quarterback consistently converted passing opportunities into touchdowns.
McCord also showed that yardage alone does not always explain quarterback effectiveness. Arizona’s team passing total was substantially larger, but Green Bay’s quarterback generated four touchdown passes and avoided interceptions.
Arizona’s Quarterback Production
Arizona used both Kedon Slovis and Gardner Minshew II during the game.
Kedon Slovis
Slovis finished with:
- 21 completions on 35 attempts
- 223 yards
- 6.4 yards per attempt
- 1 touchdown
- 2 interceptions
- 2 sacks for 13 yards
- 64.3 passer rating
The two interceptions were significant.
Slovis produced more passing yards than McCord, but turnovers reduced the value of that yardage. A quarterback can move the ball effectively between the 20-yard lines and still hurt his team if possessions end in turnovers.
His 64.3 passer rating was also considerably lower than McCord’s 119.5.
Gardner Minshew II
Minshew provided a different statistical profile:
- 7 completions on 9 attempts
- 126 yards
- 14.0 yards per attempt
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 1 sack for 10 yards
- 155.8 passer rating
His 155.8 passer rating was the highest quarterback rating listed for either team.
The small sample size matters, however. Minshew attempted only nine passes. His 14.0 yards per attempt is impressive, but it should not be interpreted the same way as a similar number produced over 30 or 35 attempts.
Together, Arizona’s quarterbacks completed 28 of 44 passes for 326 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Arizona’s Passing Attack Produced More Yardage
Arizona’s team passing numbers were:
- 28 completions
- 44 attempts
- 326 yards
- 7.9 yards per attempt
- 2 touchdowns
- 2 interceptions
- 3 sacks
- 23 sack yards lost
- 84.4 team passer rating
Green Bay, by comparison, recorded 22 completions on 35 attempts for 226 yards.
That gives Arizona a 100-yard advantage in passing production.
Yet Green Bay scored 42 points.
This is one of the clearest examples of why statistical analysis should not focus on a single category. Arizona moved the ball through the air, but Green Bay turned its passing opportunities into touchdowns more consistently.
Evan Hull Leads Arizona’s Rushing Attack
Evan Hull was one of Arizona’s biggest offensive standouts.
He recorded:
- 16 carries
- 107 rushing yards
- 6.7 yards per carry
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- 47-yard long run
His 107 rushing yards represented a major part of Arizona’s offensive success.
The 47-yard long run is particularly notable because it shows that Hull was not simply accumulating short gains. He produced a major explosive play that significantly raised his average.
Hull averaged 6.7 yards per carry, making him one of the most efficient ball carriers in the game.
Arizona’s Other Rushers
Corey Kiner added:
- 5 carries
- 35 yards
- 7.0 yards per carry
Kedon Slovis recorded:
- 2 carries
- 12 yards
Tre Stewart finished with:
- 9 carries
- 12 yards
As a team, Arizona finished with 32 carries for 166 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt.
That is a strong rushing performance, particularly compared with Green Bay’s 83 rushing yards.
Green Bay’s Rushing Game Struggled to Match Arizona
Green Bay finished with:
- 17 carries
- 83 rushing yards
- 4.9 yards per carry
- 0 rushing touchdowns
- 15-yard longest run
Jaden Nixon led Green Bay with nine carries for 44 yards.
Damien Martinez added three carries for 23 yards, while Pierre Strong Jr. had four carries for 12 yards. McCord added one carry for four yards.
The Packers therefore gained 83 rushing yards while Arizona gained 166.
Arizona had exactly twice as many rushing yards as Green Bay.
That is a major statistical difference, yet it did not translate into a victory because Green Bay’s passing and defensive plays compensated for the weaker rushing production.
Receiving Leaders From Both Teams
The receiving statistics provide another important contrast.
J. Michael Sturdivant Leads Green Bay
- Michael Sturdivant finished as Green Bay’s receiving leader with:
- 6 receptions
- 112 yards
- 18.7 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 36-yard longest reception
- 7 targets
His 112 yards accounted for almost half of Green Bay’s 226 passing yards.
The 18.7-yard average also demonstrates that his production came through meaningful downfield gains rather than a collection of short completions.
Simi Fehoko Leads Arizona
Simi Fehoko was Arizona’s top receiving performer:
- 5 receptions
- 94 yards
- 18.8 yards per reception
- 2 touchdowns
- 41-yard longest reception
- 8 targets
Fehoko’s two touchdowns were particularly valuable because he combined scoring production with explosive receiving.
His 18.8-yard average was slightly higher than Sturdivant’s 18.7.
That makes the two players statistically similar in big-play efficiency, although Sturdivant finished with more receiving yards while Fehoko produced an additional touchdown.
Team Receiving Comparison
Arizona’s receiving group finished with:
- 28 receptions
- 349 receiving yards
- 12.5 yards per reception
- 2 touchdowns
- 41-yard longest reception
- 42 targets
Green Bay finished with:
- 22 receptions
- 226 receiving yards
- 10.3 yards per reception
- 4 touchdowns
- 36-yard longest reception
- 34 targets
Arizona had a clear advantage in total receiving yardage.
However, Green Bay doubled Arizona’s touchdown total through the passing game, recording four receiving touchdowns compared with Arizona’s two.
This is another example of production versus scoring efficiency. Arizona generated more receiving yards, but Green Bay produced more touchdown results.
Total Offensive Production
One of the most interesting aspects of the game is that Arizona appears to have generated more offensive yardage overall.
Arizona recorded:
- 326 passing yards
- 166 rushing yards
- 492 combined passing and rushing yards
Green Bay recorded:
- 226 passing yards
- 83 rushing yards
- 309 combined passing and rushing yards
That is a difference of 183 yards in Arizona’s favor.
Despite that enormous yardage advantage, Arizona lost.
Why?
The answer lies in turnovers, touchdowns and special teams.
Green Bay produced two interceptions on defense, while Arizona recorded none. Green Bay also scored a punt-return touchdown.
Those high-value plays can dramatically change the relationship between yardage and points.
Turnovers Were a Major Difference
Arizona’s quarterbacks threw two interceptions.
Green Bay’s Kyle McCord threw none.
Arizona also did not record an interception against Green Bay’s passing game.
Green Bay’s defense recorded:
- Arron Mosby: 1 interception
- Nyjalik Kelly: 1 interception
Mosby returned his interception two yards, while Kelly recorded no return yardage.
Even without a large return, an interception immediately ends the opponent’s possession and creates an opportunity for the defense’s offense.
Arizona’s two interceptions therefore represented lost possessions at critical moments.
Damien Martinez’s Lost Fumble
Green Bay was not perfect with ball security.
Damien Martinez recorded one fumble, and it was lost.
Green Bay’s team total was one fumble and one lost fumble.
Arizona’s listed fumble data showed one fumble by Ihmir Smith-Marsette, but it was not lost.
That means both teams had a fumble recorded, but only Green Bay surrendered possession through a lost fumble.
The turnover battle therefore cannot be described as completely one-sided. Instead, Green Bay benefited from two defensive interceptions while giving away one lost fumble.
Defensive Player and Team Impact
Green Bay recorded:
- 84 total tackles
- 48 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 7 tackles for loss
- 9 passes defended
- 10 quarterback hits
- 1 defensive touchdown
Arizona recorded:
- 47 total tackles
- 36 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 4 tackles for loss
- 4 passes defended
- 6 quarterback hits
- 0 defensive touchdowns
The defensive statistics favor Green Bay in several categories.
Both teams recorded three sacks, so the pass rush was even in that particular measure.
But Green Bay produced more tackles, tackles for loss, passes defended and quarterback hits.
The most important difference was the defensive touchdown category. Green Bay recorded one, while Arizona recorded none.
That additional defensive scoring play contributed directly to the final result.
Green Bay’s Special Teams Made a Huge Difference
The most dramatic special teams play came from Will Sheppard.
He returned one punt for:
- 81 yards
- 81.0 yards per return
- 81-yard long
- 1 touchdown
That single return was enormous.
Green Bay’s punt-return team finished with two returns for 81 yards. Jaden Nixon recorded the other return for zero yards.
An 81-yard punt-return touchdown is the kind of play that can compensate for large differences elsewhere in the box score.
Arizona’s punt-return team had four returns for 17 yards, averaging only 4.3 yards per return.
This created a major field-position advantage for Green Bay.
Arizona’s Kick Return Numbers
Arizona was more effective on kick returns.
Harrison Wallace III recorded:
- 3 returns
- 81 yards
- 27.0-yard average
- 33-yard long
Ihmir Smith-Marsette added:
- 2 returns
- 44 yards
- 22.0-yard average
- 22-yard long
As a team, Arizona produced 125 kick-return yards at a 25.0-yard average.
That was solid special teams production, although it did not produce a touchdown.
Kicking Performance Was Strong on Both Sides
Chad Ryland was perfect for Arizona.
He made:
- 3 of 3 field goals
- 3 of 3 extra points
- 12 total points
- 35-yard longest field goal
Trey Smack was also perfect for Green Bay:
- 2 of 2 field goals
- 4 of 4 extra points
- 10 total points
- 37-yard longest field goal
Neither kicker missed an attempt.
Ryland actually scored more total points because Arizona attempted three field goals, while Green Bay attempted two.
That makes the kicking battle one of the cleaner statistical areas of the game.
Punting Comparison
Arizona’s Jack Browning punted three times for 138 yards.
His numbers included:
- 46.0-yard average
- 52-yard longest punt
- 1 punt inside the 20
- 0 touchbacks
Green Bay’s Daniel Whelan punted four times for 204 yards.
His numbers included:
- 51.0-yard average
- 55-yard longest punt
- 2 punts inside the 20
- 0 touchbacks
Whelan had the stronger average and more punts inside the 20.
However, the most important special teams statistic from the game was arguably Green Bay’s 81-yard punt return touchdown.
Why Arizona Lost Despite 492 Offensive Yards
This is perhaps the most useful lesson from the entire box score.
Arizona generated approximately 492 combined passing and rushing yards based on the listed team totals.
Green Bay generated approximately 309.
Yet Green Bay won 42-38.
That means offensive yardage did not determine the game.
Several factors explain the difference.
1. Green Bay Avoided Passing Interceptions
McCord threw four touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Arizona’s quarterbacks threw two interceptions.
Turnovers can have more impact than ordinary yardage because they end possessions immediately.
2. Green Bay Scored Four Passing Touchdowns
Green Bay produced four receiving touchdowns.
Arizona produced two.
The Packers were more efficient at turning passing possessions into touchdowns.
3. Green Bay Produced an 81-Yard Punt Return Touchdown
Will Sheppard’s punt return added seven points without requiring the Packers’ offense to drive the length of the field.
That is a major scoring advantage.
4. Green Bay’s Defense Created Two Interceptions
Arron Mosby and Nyjalik Kelly each recorded an interception.
Arizona did not record one.
5. Green Bay Finished Strong
The fourth-quarter scoring difference was 18-7 in Green Bay’s favor.
That final-quarter performance ultimately determined the winner.
The Most Important Player Stats to Remember
When reviewing the Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats, several performances stand above the rest.
Green Bay Standouts
Kyle McCord
22/35, 226 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 119.5 rating.
- Michael Sturdivant
6 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD, 18.7 yards per reception.
Will Sheppard
1 punt return, 81 yards, 1 TD.
Arron Mosby
1 interception.
Nyjalik Kelly
1 interception.
Arizona Standouts
Evan Hull
16 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD, 6.7 yards per carry.
Simi Fehoko
5 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD, 18.8 yards per reception.
Gardner Minshew II
7/9, 126 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 155.8 rating.
Chad Ryland
3/3 field goals, 3/3 extra points, 12 points.
These players represent the clearest individual statistical stories from the matchup.
A Closer Look at Quarterback Efficiency
A common mistake when reading quarterback statistics is to focus exclusively on passing yards.
The matchup demonstrates why that approach can be misleading.
Arizona’s quarterbacks combined for 326 passing yards.
McCord alone produced 226.
That gives Arizona a 100-yard advantage through the air.
Yet McCord threw four touchdown passes without an interception, while Arizona’s quarterbacks combined for two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Gardner Minshew’s 155.8 rating was excellent, but his nine attempts make the sample smaller. Slovis’ 64.3 rating was dragged down by his two interceptions.
The broader conclusion is that Green Bay received more scoring efficiency from its passing game, while Arizona generated greater volume.
A Closer Look at Explosive Plays
Explosive plays were important on both sides.
Arizona’s Evan Hull had a 47-yard run.
Simi Fehoko produced a 41-yard reception.
Green Bay’s J. Michael Sturdivant had a 36-yard reception.
Will Sheppard delivered the biggest special teams play with an 81-yard punt return touchdown.
These plays show that the game was not won through a slow, methodical accumulation of short gains.
Both offenses created explosive opportunities, but Green Bay’s special teams turned its biggest explosive play directly into seven points.
What the Box Score Says About Each Team
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona’s statistical profile suggests a team that was capable of generating offense.
The Cardinals rushed for 166 yards and passed for 326 yards. Their receiving group averaged 12.5 yards per reception, while their leading receiver averaged 18.8 yards.
The problem was converting that production into enough points while protecting possessions.
Two interceptions were costly, and Arizona was outscored 18-7 in the fourth quarter.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay’s profile was almost the opposite.
The Packers produced substantially fewer yards, but their passing game was more touchdown-efficient. Their defense created two interceptions, and their special teams produced an 81-yard touchdown.
The fourth-quarter scoring surge completed the comeback.
From a purely statistical perspective, Green Bay won the efficiency battle even though Arizona won the yardage battle.
What Fans Should Look For Beyond the Final Score
A good player-stat analysis should answer more than “who had the most yards?”
For this game, the better questions are:
- Which players generated touchdowns?
- Who protected the football?
- Which defense created turnovers?
- Which team produced explosive special teams plays?
- Who performed best in the fourth quarter?
- Which individual performances translated directly into points?
Those questions provide a much clearer explanation of the 42-38 result.
For example, Arizona’s 492 combined passing and rushing yards look dominant at first glance. But Green Bay’s four passing touchdowns, two interceptions and punt-return touchdown explain why the Packers still won.
Understanding the Difference Between Volume and Efficiency
The matchup is also a useful example of volume versus efficiency.
Arizona had:
- More passing yards
- More rushing yards
- More total offensive yardage
- More receptions
- More receiving yards
Green Bay had:
- More passing touchdowns
- Fewer passing interceptions
- More defensive interceptions
- More quarterback hits
- More tackles for loss
- A punt-return touchdown
- More fourth-quarter points
Volume made Arizona’s box score look stronger in several categories.
Efficiency and scoring impact made Green Bay’s box score more valuable.
This distinction is especially useful when comparing players. A receiver with 100 yards is not automatically more valuable in a particular game than a receiver with 70 yards and two touchdowns.
The same principle applies to quarterbacks, running backs and defensive players.
Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways
The most important statistical conclusions from the game are straightforward.
Green Bay won 42-38, despite being outgained substantially.
Arizona’s offense was productive, generating 326 passing yards and 166 rushing yards.
Kyle McCord was highly efficient, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Evan Hull was Arizona’s leading rusher, producing 107 yards and two touchdowns.
Simi Fehoko was Arizona’s leading receiver, recording 94 yards and two touchdowns.
- Michael Sturdivant led Green Bay in receiving, with 112 yards and one touchdown.
Gardner Minshew posted the highest quarterback rating, at 155.8, although he attempted only nine passes.
Green Bay’s defense created two interceptions, through Arron Mosby and Nyjalik Kelly.
Will Sheppard delivered the biggest special teams play, returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown.
Both kickers were perfect, with Ryland going 3/3 on field goals and Smack going 2/2.
The fourth quarter was decisive, with Green Bay outscoring Arizona 18-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Packers vs Cardinals game on August 29, 2026?
The Green Bay Packers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 42-38.
Who was Green Bay’s leading passer?
Kyle McCord completed 22 of 35 passes for 226 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He finished with a 119.5 passer rating.
Who led Arizona in rushing?
Evan Hull led Arizona with 107 rushing yards on 16 carries. He also scored two rushing touchdowns.
Who was the leading receiver in the game?
- Michael Sturdivant led Green Bay with 112 receiving yards, while Arizona’s Simi Fehoko recorded 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Which team had more total offensive yardage?
Arizona had substantially more combined passing and rushing yardage. Its listed totals were 326 passing yards and 166 rushing yards, compared with Green Bay’s 226 passing yards and 83 rushing yards.
Who returned a punt for a touchdown?
Green Bay’s Will Sheppard returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown.
Conclusion
The Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats show why a final score should never be analyzed in isolation.
Arizona produced the larger offensive numbers, including 326 passing yards, 166 rushing yards and 349 receiving yards. Evan Hull delivered a strong rushing performance, Simi Fehoko created big plays through the air, and Gardner Minshew was extremely efficient in his limited passing work.
Green Bay won through a different combination of strengths. Kyle McCord’s four touchdown passes and zero interceptions provided efficient quarterback production. J. Michael Sturdivant supplied 112 receiving yards, while the defense generated two interceptions. The special teams unit added an enormous 81-yard punt-return touchdown through Will Sheppard.
The fourth quarter ultimately provided the clearest explanation for the result. Green Bay scored 18 points in the final period while Arizona managed seven. That late scoring advantage turned a high-scoring statistical battle into a four-point Packers victory.
The most valuable lesson from this matchup is that yardage, scoring and efficiency must be considered together. Arizona moved the ball exceptionally well, but Green Bay generated more decisive plays when possessions and points mattered most.
