NFL
Green Bay Packers take on the undefeated Arizona Cardinals
The Green Bay Packers have a challenge ahead of them when they travel to Arizona to take on the undefeated Cardinals with a lot on the line for both teams.
Thursday night kicks off week eight of the NFL with undoubtedly the most exciting game of the week when two of the top teams play each other. The Green Bay Packers will travel to Arizona to take on the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.The Cardinals are the only unbeaten team in the league at 7-0. The Packers have won six straight, their only loss happening in their flukey week one to the Saints.
The Cardinals, with quarterback Kyler Murray, have one of the best offenses in the league, ranking seventh in total offense at 402.1 yards per game and fourth in points per game with 32.1. Murray is fifth in passing yards with 2,002 and has completed 75 percent of his passes and thrown 17 passing touchdowns in seven games.
Green Bay isn’t going to be an easy win for the Cardinals though, as they have Aaron Rodgers, who has thrown 15 touchdown passes in the last six games and had only one turnover. He could be playing without three of his top receivers though, as Davante Adams and Allen Lazard have both been put on the Covid reserve list. And Marques Valdes-Scantling may still be on injured reserve.
The Packers have done fine without Adams in the past, though. Over the last two years, they went 6-0 without him. But without both Lazard, Adams, and Valdes-Scantling, Rodgers may have a harder time, especially against the Cardinals defense, who surely will be on top of running back Aaron Jones. The Packers will also be without their defensive coordinator, Joe Barry, who has been a huge help in play calling.
On the other side, the Cardinals just activated linebacker Chandler Jones from the Covid reserve list. In week one, he had five sacks, two forced fumbles, four tackles for losses, and six quarterback hits. His return will be a huge benefit for the Cardinals. Defensive lineman Zach Allen will also be making his return this week.
What's on the line?
This is a huge game for both teams. If the Packers lose, they will be three games behind the Cardinals, giving them home field advantage to break the tie and nine games left to play against some difficult teams. If the Cardinals lose, they will be knocked out of the top seed, only a half-game up on the Rams in the division, and would possibly have to play at Lambeau Field for the NFC Championship game…in January.
The game kicks off Thursday, October 28 at 8:20 p.m. ET.