4. “I don’t care” touchdown pass vs Green Bay Packers in Week 16
A Week 16 match up against a struggling Packers team was the Cardinals’ most dominating win of the season. The defense sacked Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers 9 times. 2 of these sacks resulted in fumbles returned for touchdowns. However, in a game where the defense was a highlight, Carson Palmer still had one of his best “I’m a boss” moments of the season.
While the play itself wasn’t that spectacular, it’s the story line leading up to the pass that made it so memorable. In the final minutes of the second half, Carson Palmer was knocked down to the ground on a pass attempt. Packers’ linebacker Clay Matthews gestured his hand towards a sitting Palmer. When Palmer reached up, Matthews punked him and walked away. On the very next play, Palmer threw a rocket to John Brown that resulted in a 7 yard touchdown to put the Cardinals up 17-0 heading into the half. And who just happened to be in Palmer’s face on this throw? Clay Matthews.