Cardinals tee off on Rodgers, Packers

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – The Arizona Cardinals flattened Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

That makes it nine consecutive victories for the Cardinals, who think they're still gaining steam.

"You want to play your best ball at the end of the season," Arizona defensive lineman Calais Campbell said, "and I think this is the best game we've played."

The Cardinals sacked Rodgers eight times and returned two of his fumbles for touchdowns in a dominant 38-8 victory.

Carson Palmer threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals (13-2), and Michael Floyd caught six passes for 111 yards.

The winning streak is the franchise's longest since the 1948 Chicago Cardinals won 10 in a row.

Green Bay was without starting left tackle David Bakhtiari because of an injury and lost starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga because of an ankle injury during the game.

"They were very aggressive to the line of scrimmage," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "They played very well and took advantage of it."

In all, Packers quarterbacks were sacked nine times in their most one-sided loss of the season. Dwight Freeney had three and Campbell 2 ½. Cory Redding rambled 36 yards with one of the fumbles for a score, Jerraud Powers took another 5 yards for a touchdown.

The Packers (10-5) have a half-game lead over Minnesota in the NFC North with the Vikings facing the New York Giants on Sunday night. Green Bay is home against Minnesota in its regular-season finale next Sunday.

"This was a playoff-style game and we played terrible," Rodgers said, "but we have won a lot of games here. When you play long enough, you are going to be on the wrong side at times, but I am confident that we have guys and myself that, when it matters for all the marbles, guys will show up."

Arizona clinched at least the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC. They still can take the No. 1 seed with a victory over Seattle and a Carolina loss to Tampa Bay next week.