A High-Scoring Preseason Finale
The Green Bay Packers secured a 42-38 victory over the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game served as a high-octane display of offensive firepower, with both teams combining for 80 points in front of a crowd of 71,678.
The decisive factor was the performance of Packers quarterback Kyle McCord, who finished with four touchdown passes, while the Cardinals relied on a balanced attack from Kedon Slovis and running back Evan Hull. The result improved Green Bay’s record to 2-1, while Arizona dropped to 1-3.
Early Momentum Shifts
The Cardinals established an early lead in the first quarter when Chad Ryland kicked a 35-yard field goal. Trey Smack responded for Green Bay with a 36-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3. The second quarter saw the score fluctuate rapidly.
Simi Fehoko caught a 41-yard pass from Gardner Minshew II to give Arizona a 10-3 lead. McCord answered with a 29-yard touchdown pass to J. Michael Sturdivant. Evan Hull then rushed 47 yards for a touchdown, extending the Cardinals' lead to 17-10.
Green Bay tied it at 17-17 via a 12-yard pass from McCord to Will Sheppard. However, Sheppard capitalized on a miscue by returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown, putting the Cardinals ahead 24-17. Ryland kicked a 25-yard field goal to end the half, leaving Arizona up 24-20.
Second-Half Battle
Arizona maintained its lead into the third quarter, with Ryland adding a 27-yard field goal to make it 24-23. The game swung dramatically when Hull rushed one yard for a touchdown and successfully converted a two-point run, giving the Cardinals a 31-24 lead. The fourth quarter began with Trey Smack kicking a 37-yard field goal for Green Bay, narrowing the gap to 31-27.
Simi Fehoko then caught a 9-yard pass from Kedon Slovis for a touchdown, extending Arizona’s lead to 38-27. Green Bay mounted a final drive, with McCord connecting with Kisean Johnson on a 28-yard pass followed by a two-point conversion run by Damien Martinez to make it 38-35. McCord sealed the victory with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Johnson and a successful kick by Smack.
Key Performances
Kyle McCord completed 22 of 35 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns for Green Bay. J. Michael Sturdivant led the receiving corps with six catches for 112 yards and one touchdown. On the ground, Jaden Nixon rushed nine times for 44 yards.
For Arizona, Kedon Slovis passed for 223 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 21 of 35 attempts. Evan Hull was a force on the ground with 16 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Simi Fehoko had five receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
The Packers’ ability to execute in the final minutes proved decisive in this competitive preseason matchup.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401874102
