Green Bay Packers

It's Almost Fitting That Rasul Douglas Sealed the Game For the Packers

Photo Credit: Rob Schumacher (Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports)

It was perfectly aligned to be a classic Green Bay Packers loss. After they went for it on 4th and Goal, the Arizona Cardinals deflected an Aaron Rodgers pass and took over on downs. And then they started to march down the field. As the clock wound down, Packers fans again had to witness an absolute horrendous call by the refs to give Arizona a first down without even discussing it or double-checking.

Apologies for the NSFW tweet, but this sums it up. And this is from an NFL analytics and data expert.

It had all the makings of a last-second loss. Even the TV crews knew it. They cut to Rodgers over and over as he just stared at the defense, waiting for something to happen.

Then Something Happened

With 12 seconds left, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sent a right-corner end zone pass to AJ Green. The only problem was, Green didn’t expect the pass. He wasn’t even looking for it. But Rasul Douglas was. Suddenly, the Packers had intercepted the ball and sealed their seventh victory of the season.

A good chunk of America, including some Packers fans, then said, “Who?” That’s because three weeks ago, Douglas was on the Cardinals. He had been sitting on the team’s practice squad before Green Bay came calling.

If it seems like there is a sense of déjà vu about players from Arizona, that’s because Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell also was with the Cardinals recently. He started all 16 games for them last year and had 99 tackles and two sacks. The Packers found one of their best defensive players this year for a bargain. Bringing on Campbell and Douglas directly helped them beat the Cardinals in Week 8.

Douglas Background

The 26-year-old has already had quite the journey during his career. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles 99th-overall in 2017. In his rookie season, he played 14 games in which he tallied two interceptions and 25 total tackles. Douglas helped them win a Super Bowl that season. He would then play all 16 games in 2018 and 2019 and add another three interceptions and 88 tackles. He didn’t make the final round of roster cuts last year.

The Carolina Panthers then claimed Douglas, and he added another 59 tackles and seven defended passes over 14 games. He missed two games due to being on the COVID-19 injury list.

The Packers are the fourth team Douglas has been on this year. He initially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders but was released in August, then signed with the Houston Texans but was gone in just a week. The Cardinals’ practice squad would then be his home until Green Bay signed him on Oct. 6.

Douglas 2021 Stats

Since joining the team, the New Jersey native has had 18 tackles, a forced fumble, three passes defended, and now a game-clinching interception. He has only played in three games for the Packers and has been a meaningful presence after potentially losing Jaire Alexander for the season.

Douglas was especially impressive against his former team.

Even when Kevin King returns, it appears Douglas has earned his place as a starter. It is truly bizarre how the Eagles and other teams cast him aside. Douglas has 190 tackles, one forced fumble, 37 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his career. For context, King was also drafted in 2017 and had 171 tackles, two forced fumbles, 28 pass deflections, and six interceptions. It doesn’t make much sense that a Super Bowl-winning cornerback was being thrown onto practice squads while King has been a starting corner with almost the same stats.

Hopefully, Douglas’ heroics will continue. He had one heck of a highlight. It’s the kind of moment a team can build around to elevate them to the next level as we hit the second half of the season.

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