Cardinals clinch No. 2 seed with one-sided victory

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

By Associated Press December 28, 2015 4 min read

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – The Arizona Cardinals had lost dynamic playmaker Tyrann Mathieu for the season. Fellow safety Rashad Johnson, the secondary’s “quarterback,” was sidelined with an ankle injury.

And the Cardinals responded with their best defensive game of the season.

Well, one of their best anyway.

“I thought we played better in Seattle,” coach Bruce Arians said.

Maybe, but this one was a close second.