With upcoming games against the Texans and Lions, the Packers can’t afford to overlook their home game against the Cardinals this Sunday. Despite Arizona’s 2-3 record, they’ve been competitive, losing to Buffalo by only six points in Week 1 and pulling off a major upset against the 49ers. The Cardinals ran for 169 yards on offense and held San Francisco to just one touchdown in six red-zone trips on defense. Here’s a breakdown of the key matchups:
Pass Offense:
The Cardinals’ offense revolves around quarterback Kyler Murray, who has been inconsistent throughout his career but is off to a solid start this season with 972 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and a passer rating of 99.1. His tendency to extend plays can lead to big gains but also sacks. Green Bay’s strategy will likely focus on keeping him in the pocket to limit his effectiveness.
Rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., known as “Maserati Marv” during his time at Ohio State, is the top target with 279 yards and four touchdowns. He may face Packers’ cornerback Jaire Alexander, who could return from injury. Michael Wilson and tight end Trey McBride provide additional receiving threats. Green Bay’s defense, which leads the league in turnovers, will need to do more than just create takeaways to contain this group. Advantage: Cardinals.
Rush Offense:
The Packers were dominated by the Rams’ run game last Sunday, allowing 134 rushing yards. They’ll face a bigger challenge against Kyler Murray, who is averaging over 10 yards per designed run. With James Conner adding power to the backfield, Arizona’s third-ranked run game averages 5.55 yards per carry. Green Bay’s defense must step up to avoid another tough outing. Advantage: Cardinals.
Pass Defense:
The Packers should find opportunities against a Cardinals defense ranked 29th in yards allowed per attempt. Jonathan Gannon’s defensive unit has 11 sacks, but lacks the talent he had in Philadelphia. The Cardinals’ cornerbacks have struggled, and their safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson lead the secondary. The return of receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson could help Green Bay exploit Arizona’s weaknesses. Advantage: Packers.
Overall, the Packers will need to execute on both sides of the ball to overcome the Cardinals’ dynamic playmakers.