Putting unbeaten record on line
CARDINALS PASS OFFENSE VS. PACKERS PASS DEFENSE
The Cardinals need to do a better job of protecting quarterback Kyler Murray, who was sacked four time in Sunday’s 31-5 rout of the Texans. Twice, Murray had to go into the medical tent on the sideline. Right guard Josh Jones needs to learn from last week’s efforts and there could be a change at starting center if Max Garcia (Achilles) can’t go. Sean Harlow is the third-string center. Garcia has been filling in for Rodney Hudson, who is on injured reserve (ribs). The rest of the offensive line must keep outside linebacker Rashan Gary and Preston Smith at bay. Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is nursing a hamstring injury but has yet to miss a game since joining the team prior to last season. Even if he’s not 100 percent or sits this one out, Arizona has plenty of other weapons to target. The Packers won’t be able to cover them all.
Cardinals
Edge:
CARDINALS RUN OFFENSE VS. PACKERS RUN DEFENSE
Arizona ranks fifth in the league in rushing (136.6 yards per game) and its nine rushing touchdowns are tied for the third-most. James Conner, who leads the team with 86 carries, has six rushing TDs. One more will surpass his 2020 season total. With two rushing TDs, Murray would become the first player in NFL history with 60 or more passing touchdowns and 20 or more rushing touchdowns in their first 40 career games. Teams have been able to run on the Packers, who are allowing 120.9 rushing yards per game. Former Cardinals inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell leads Green Bay with 68 tackles and he also has two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Among players with at least 60 rushing attempts, Chase Edmonds’ 5.84-yard rushing average ranks third in the NFL.
Edge:
PACKERS PASS OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS PASS DEFENSE
Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers has thrown three-plus touchdown passes in seven of his last 12 road games, the most in the NFL since the start of the 2020 season. Rodgers has thrown for 15 touchdowns this season, but he will be without two of his top receivers in Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, who were each placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. That’s going to put extra pressure on Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers and Equanimeous St. Brown. Look for the Packers to try to get the ball a little more to tight ends Mercedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan. The Cardinals get outside linebacker Chandler Jones back this week after he missed the past two games while on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Defensive end Zach Allen was also activated. J.J. Watt, however, is dealing with a shoulder issue. If the secondary keeps things relatively locked down, which is never easy against Rodgers, Arizona’s pass rush could thrive. Like Murray, Rodgers has been sacked 16 times.
Cardinals
Edge:
PACKERS RUN OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS RUN DEFENSE
Green Bay ranks 19th in rushing yards per game (102.0) and has just four total rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the third-fewest in the league. Aaron Jones leads the way with 404 yards on 89 carries and two touchdowns. He’s only had one 100-yard game this year, but he can be electrifying as a pass catcher as he caught three TDs during a Week 2 win over the Lions. The Cardinals are still susceptible against the run and are prone to occasionally giving up big plays there. They do have 29 tackles for loss this season, however, and have the athletes to lock things down when they’re in their right assignments. Keeping Jones under wraps would be a huge accomplishment in Arizona’s
efforts to improve to 8-0 for the first time in franchise history. A.J. Dillon is getting more and more snaps in the No.2 running back spot and he can also be dangerous.
Packers
Edge:
SPECIAL TEAMS
Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby has already missed five field goals this season, including two from 30-39 yards, and he’s also missed an extra point. Punter Corey Bojorquez has downed a third of his punts (7 of 21) inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and his 47.2 gross average isn’t too far behind Arizona’s Andy Lee (50.5). Neither team has had much success in the return game, but if this ends up getting decided by special teams, Matt Prater and his strong right leg tips the scales in the Cardinals’ favor.
Edge: Cardinals
TIPICO SPORTSBOOK ODDS: The Cardinals are 3½point favorites. The over/under is 53.5. Money line: Packers +155, Cardinals -190
OVERALL
Rodgers mentioned the surge of the roaring crowd this week when talking about the return to State Farm Stadium, so the louder the fans get, the more it likely will be on his mind and possibly make his multiple check-downs tougher to bark out. The Cardinals have enough other things going in their favor behind the obvious home-field advantage, though. That being said, I’m expecting a squeaker.
Pick: Cardinals 27, Packers 24
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