A win's a win, right? That was kind of a weird one... at no point did it ever feel like the Packers were going to lose, but hoo boy did it look like they were trying to do just the opposite for a while. The pass rush remained anemic save for a few key plays, Jordan Love showed a little more rust and then promptly shook it off, and Xavier McKinney is the greatest football player to ever grace the grid iron.

But as the team must shift focus from a win to the next opponent, we must do so as well. So let's raise up the Periscope to look at the past, present and future of the Packers and Cardinals rivalry.

The Past

Sunday's visit from the Cardinals will be number 77 in the series, with the Packers holding a dominant 46-26-4 lead all-time. The first matchup, when the Cardinals were of Chicago, took place on November 20, 1921 a riveting 3-3 tie. I'm sure Curly Lambeau dazzled in that one.

Of late, though, the Cardinals have the Packers number, especially in the playoffs. In Aaron Rodgers' first playoff appearance in 2010, Arizona famously walked it off on an interception/fumble return (with an uncalled facemask!) and in 2016 in overtime after Rodgers hit Jeff Janis on an absurd hail mary to extend the game. Overall, the Cards have won three of the last four overall.

But this week's look back takes to a decade with few wins, especially of the playoff variety. But on this icy Wisconsin day, January 8, 1982, the division-winning Packers hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1982 NFC Wild Card. And they dominated.

The Cardinals opened up the scoring on a Neil O'Donoghue field goal of 18 yards to open the scoring at 3-0. But Lynn Dickey struck just after on a 60-yarder to John Jefferson to put the Pack up 7-3.

Dickey again would hit through the air, this time to Hall of Famer James Lofton from 20 yards out. Back-to-back Eddie Lee Ivery touchdowns put the good guys up 28-3 in the second. A Jan Stenerud field goal and John Jefferson's second TD of the day put the score at 38-9 and some garbage time points finalized things at 41-9.

It was a huge win in a decade of Packers struggles, after a decade of the same. Dickey, Lofton and Jefferson were the keys to a potent, exciting offense, one the Packers had never truly seen. And it was amazing for the Packers fans, after over a decade of turmoil, to get a playoff win at home.

Have a few hours to kill? Me too! Soak in the full game below.

The Present

With a tremendous win at San Fran last week, the Cardinals should be feeling very confident and optimistic about their chances going forward. With Kyler Murray back from his knee injury that ended his season a year ago, he's completing nearly 70% if his passes and starting to find a rhythm with first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr.

But after seeing how effectively the Rams ran against Green Bay last week, starting back James Conner must be loving the film review. Conner is averaging over 75 yards a game, but has been hit or miss so far this season. He's gone over 100 yards twice, but only had 9 carries for 17 yards against the Lions.

This Cardinals offense will be much more dynamic than the Rams, and containing Kyler Murray will be key - his 50-yard touchdown run kicked off the big win in Santa Clara this past week.

Offensively for Green Bay, getting Romeo Doubs back will be helpful. While the Packers managed through the air, with big games from Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft, they need as much playmaking ability as possible with Christian Watson still likely sidelined another week.

Focusing on the run while Jordan Love continues to shake off some rust will be key, too. The Cardinals are a middle-of-the-pack defense, and one that certainly be ran on, as they give up nearly 150 rushing yards per game. Run The Damn Ball!

The Future

Noon kick Lombardi time, Lambeau Field, Green Bay. The weather is calling for a chance for rain which I can't say I mind given the opponent is coming from the land of none. Both teams are coming off wins that should breed some optimism. And I'm glad the Packers are the ones not making the cross-country trek to play an early kick.

This is a critical game in setting off this short homestand the right way. The pass rush, run blocking and offensive crispness have all lacked for the Packers the last two weeks, so it's important to take a step in the right direction.

Arizona presents more than a challenge - they're a team capable of winning this game. It's up to the Packers to keep building off what they've done well this year and keep striving to keep pace in the NFC North.