Glendale, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals played without the indomitable Tyrann Mathieufor the first time Sunday and Rashad Johnson, their other starting safety.
Mathieu, who doubled as a slot-cover man in nickel defenses, was replaced by Jerraud Powers, while special-teams ace Justin Bethel played outside for Powers.
The Cardinals looked to be highly vulnerable against an offense coached by Mike McCarthyand quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers.
Instead, the Packers were rendered null and void by the stifling Cardinals' defense in a 38-8 defeat.