Cardinals vs Packers

Lore & Background

The second-seeded Cardinals began their playoff run by defeating the fifth-seeded Green Bay Packers 26–20 in overtime in the divisional round, giving quarterback Carson Palmer his first career playoff win. However, they were defeated by the top-seeded 15-1 Carolina Panthers in the NFC championship by a score of 49–15, played in Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the Cardinals committing seven turnovers, tied for the most turnovers in a conference championship game since the Los Angeles Rams were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys abruptly in the 1978 season by a score of 28–0. The 2015 NFC Championship Game was a rematch of the 2008 NFC Divisional Round, which saw the 9–7 fourth-seeded Cardinals upset the 12–4 second-seeded Panthers in their home stadium.

In Their Own Story

The cold wind howled off Lake Michigan, biting at the faces of fans packed into the frozen stands of Lambeau Field. It was December, and the air smelled of pine needles and anticipation. On the field, the Cardinals' crimson jerseys stood out starkly against the emerald green turf, a visual reminder of the long journey from Chicago to Arizona. The crowd roared as the quarterback dropped back, scanning for an opening in the Packers' defense. This wasn't just another game; it was a chapter in a story written over a century ago. Every snap echoed with the history of Vince Lombardi's dynasty and the resilience of the Cardinals' own golden eras. As the ball spiraled through the frigid air, time seemed to suspend, connecting past legends with present heroes in this timeless battle.

Reader's Guide

The Cardinals played (as of 2026) their last game in St. Louis, which had been home to the Cardinals from 1960 until 1987 and the Rams since 1995, with the latter team becoming the Cardinals' divisional rivals in 2002. The Rams returned to the Los Angeles metropolitan area after the 2015 season. Until 2021, this was the last season in which the Cardinals would have a winning season or postseason appearance. Also as of 2025, this remains the most recent season the Cardinals have won a playoff game, having gone 0–2 (including the NFC Championship Game loss) since.

Did You Know?

• The Cardinals clinched their first NFC West title since 2009 and a franchise-best 13 wins in 2015.
• Carson Palmer earned his first career playoff win in the divisional round against the Packers.
• The 2015 NFC Championship Game was a rematch of the 2008 NFC Divisional Round.
• As of 2025, the 2015 season is the most recent in which the Cardinals have won a playoff game.