PACKERSTATS: GAME 12 VS. CARDINALS — The more Rodgers passes, the more likely the Packers will lose

By JERR TAPP

Here are some of the numbers that helped define the Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on December 2:

One of the frustrating aspects of statistics is that what can seem obvious isn’t always the case. Based on the history and stats entering the game against the Arizona Cardinals, there was no way the Cards would beat the Pack, at least that’s what the numbers “told us.” But as we have all learned, “that’s why they play the game” and don’t just trust the stats.

Prior to the game Sunday against the Cardinals the Packers had been 11-2 at home in the Mike McCarthy era (since 2006) against the NFC West and they had won six straight … the team was 22-4 in home games in December since 2006 … the Packers had won eight of their last nine games that were the 12^th game of the season … Green Bay had won eight straight at home versus the Cardinals, who had not beaten the Packers in Green Bay since 1949.

• It was Aaron Rodgers birthday. He is now 1-1 on his birthday. He won on December 2, 2012 versus the Vikings on his birthday.
• The temperature was 34 at game time. The Cardinals have now won four straight in games where the temperature is below 40 degrees. They are 4-8 in such games since 2000.
• Davante Adams has caught 85 passes this year; he has been targeted 127 time. That’s a percentage of 66.7, the highest catch percentage of his career.
• Mason Crosby missed a last-second field goal in the game. Green Bay is 0-3-1 this season when Crosby misses a field goal in the game. They are 5-9-1 since 2015 in games when Crosby misses a field goal.
• The Packers held a three-point lead at halftime, 10-7. The team is now 61-4-1 at home since 2006 when they have the lead at halftime.
• Jimmy Graham had eight receptions in the game, the most in a game for the Packers. It is the most receptions he has had in a game since he had eight for the Seattle Seahawks in a game on November 7, 2016.
• Rookie running back Chase Edmonds had a pair of TDs for the Cards. It was the first time that a rookie had two TDs in a game versus the Packers since Robert Kelley had three for the Washington Redskins in a game on November 20, 2016.
• Green Bay was behind 17-10 going into the fourth quarter. The Packers are now 14-35-1 (.290) since 2000 in games at Lambeau when they are trailing going into the fourth quarter.
• Aaron Jones has scored a TD in five of his last six games for the Pack.
• The Packers are now 4-7-1 for the season. The last time the Packers ended the season with only four wins was in 2005, Mike Sherman’s last season and the year prior to Mike McCarthy taking over the head coaching duties.
• Rookie Arizona QB Josh Rosen became the seventh rookie QB to defeat the Packers in game since 2000. The others six: Dak Prescott, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan and Kyle Orton.
• The Packers have now lost 10 of their last 11 home games when they score fewer than 20 points. Since 2000, the Packers are 14-22 (.389) in games at Lambeau when they score less than 20 points.
• Aaron Rodgers attempted 50 passes in the game, the sixth time in his career that he had 50 or more pass attempts in a contest. The Packers are 1-5 in such games.