NFL Week 13: Packers vs. Lions Thanksgiving Day Preview & Prediction

Before having a quick look at the Turkey Day extravaganza in Detroit, let's have a brief look back at this past Sunday's beat down of the ViQueens at Lambeau Field. The synopsis: the Packers won in dominating fashion behind a run-centric offense led by backup RB Emanuel Wilson, a pound-the-first-year-starting-quarterback defense, and a game-changing special teams play that turned the game on its head.

Do we need to say anything further? You know about all these things already if you are a Packers fan. And if you are reading this blog, you definitely are!

For the second week in a row, we also had the margin of victory correct, albeit again with a difference of 7 points on either end of the prediction, 23-6 final vs. the 30-13 prediction. Not bad.

Will we see a similar game plan offensively on Thursday? We hope not, frankly. Defensively, we'll definitely take the sacks, pressures and turnover the Packers generated. And if we can get a special teams play that turns the game, well, that would be just fine, as well. Because we expect this to be a close one. Let's take a look.

Packers fans hope to see QB Jordan Love successfully opening

up the passing game today vs. the Lions.

(Photo via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

Let's begin with the Packers having RB Josh Jacobs return to the backfield. They rested him vs. Minnesota to give him a few extra days to get healthy for this Detroit game, with a longer break afterward to recover before the next game against Da Bearz. Of course, Wilson proved on Sunday that he can carry the full load once again if Jacobs is limited. We expect a mix of Jacobs and Wilson depending upon the flow and needs of the game, with head coach Matt LaFleur hopefully scheming and maximizing the strengths of each.

While not having their full complement of receivers available (see the injury report below), there will be enough to give Detroit problems. This assumes, of course, that the Pack's offensive line is stout enough to not only have the running game be effective but to also protect Jordan Love. Recall that Love has a left shoulder separation, according to reports, from taking that unnecessary hit on a scramble a couple weeks ago. He didn't even do handoffs using the left hand during Sunday's game, opting for doing it all with his right hand only. Now, as the game evolved, the bulk of the offense wound up featuring the running game. LaFleur actually said for the first time ever that he called the same running play five times in a row because Minnesota just couldn't stop it (Lombardi would have loved that!).

Against the Lions, however, the air attack will need to ramp up considerably. With WR Christian Watson now seemingly stepping into that Receiver 1 role since coming back from his ACL injury, both downfield and in other patterns, this helps open the door for other receivers, as well. And keep in mind, too, that Jacobs is also a very capable receiver and perhaps an even better run-after-the-catch threat that can be used out of the backfield. Yes, TE Tucker Kraft is not returning this season, and TE Luke Musgrave hasn't taken advantage of his opportunities, with the other tight ends appearing to be used more in recent weeks.

Along the offensive line, it appears that rookie and second round draft pick Anthony Belton may have beaten out Jordan Morgan for the right guard spot. After a bit of rotation in the first half on Sunday, Belton was at the spot the entire second half and did a very good job moving people off the line, opening holes for Wilson, and usually giving Love enough time to execute the limited passing plays that were called. We'd expect to see him start at the position today.

Defensively, the Packers will just need to keep doing what they've been doing, i.e., get after the quarterback. Lions QB Jared Goff, statistically, is very good when he is not under pressure but is, statistically, not so great when he is pressured. If the Packers can do against Detroit what they did against Minnesota they will go a long way to increasing the chances for a Packers win. 

One of the facets of the Packers defense, however, that still needs tightening up — in Week 13! — is the run defense. Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs has been having a good season overall. You don't want to let him have explosive runs for big yardage, take the pressure off Goff and help the Lions control the time of possession. If the Packers come out the way they did in Week 1 against this same team, the result should also be the same.

Packers who are out for the today game include DL Karl Brooks, WR Jayden Reed (darn it!), DE Lukas Van Ness (again) and WR Savion Williams. Players currently listed as questionable include WR Matthew Golden, CB Nate Hobbs, CB Keisean Nixon, and LB Quay Walker. The Lions will also be missing some players, especially along the offensive line which should open up plenty of opportunities for DE Micah Parsons et al to get after Goff.

If the defense can contain Gibbs and get after Goff ... game, set, match.

The Prediction

The Lions are 2-1/2 point favorites at the time of this writing and according to one metric have about a 54 percent chance of beating the Packers. Really.

Yes, we, too, figure this will be a tight and close game...perhaps another one of those where the last team to possess the ball will win...or not. Hope not. But with the Pack sitting at 7-3-1 and the Lions at 7-4, it is a toss up. Either the Packers will be in first place (assuming Da Bearz lose on Friday to the Eagles) or in third in the NFC North depending upon the outcome of this game. We prefer first place, don't you?

While most pundits are giving this one to the Lions, we're calling this one Packers 24 - Lions 23.

Go Pack Go!!!

2025 NFL Week 12: Packers vs. Vikings Preview & Prediction

After two frustrating home losses, the Pack got back on the winning side of the ledger with their trip to the Meadowlands to take on the NY Giants last weekend. With a final score of 27-20, the Packers did what they needed to do against an inferior opponent.

Of course, as we know, so far this season the Packers have played down to the level of their opponents. Many reasons for that, but at least during the second half of the Giants game, head coach Matt LaFleur took the reins off the offense a bit and allowed QB Jordan Love the opportunity to go downfield, with good results. Now, there were still far too many dropped passes by both offense and defense, but in the end they did enough to win by 7. We had predicted a final score of 20-13 so we had the margin correct just not the tally. So it goes.

Let's now take a look at Sunday's game at Lambeau Field against the ViQueens ... the first of five NFC North Division games in the final remaining seven games of the season. Like many, we're of the view that backloading this many division games is not a great thing for the schedule. But it is what it is and it will definitely determine playoff seedings.

Unfortunately, Packers RB Josh Jacobs is

not available for  today's game against Minnesota.

(Photo via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

The ViQueens swept the Packers in last season's two matchups, and they have won two straight at Lambeau Field. That's just wrong on so many levels, isn't it, Packer fans? Of course, they had a better quarterback than J.J. McCarthy directing the offense then, too.

The young QB, as most do, is struggling; he may yet turn into a good QB but right now ... not so much. Let's pray his coming out party isn't today. If the Packers want to get some takeaways today, McCarthy should be good for an INT or two. The Vikes aren't horrible, of course, they do have playmakers. And, as we all too well know ... the Packers seems to have it in them so far this season to let lesser opponents hang around far too long and give them the opportunity to win with a field goal.

We don't see that happening today.

There are now seven games remaining in the regular season, five of which including today, as we noted earlier, will be against NFC North Division opponents. This is where you can make or break your season.

Luckily for the Packers, since becoming the starting QB, Jordan Love has really come on in the second half of the season...right where we find ourselves. That started to emerge last weekend vs. the Giants. It should continue today, with or without Josh Jacobs at running back. (The early word is Jacobs is out, as are LB Quay Walker and WR Matthew Golden among the notable inactives.)

Love will have nearly a full array of receiving targets available today. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks will share the running back duties. Matt LaFleur should be able, based upon last week's game and the unavailability of Jacobs, to open up the game plan more than he has in the earlier portion of the season. Granted, the issues with the offensive line are still there. But play-action and going deep earlier in the game to stretch the defense can help the running game, too. And might we see a special package or two for backup QB Malik Willis if the situation warrants it? Don't be surprised after what Willis again showed in very limited playing time last weekend when Love was out for a few plays with a left shoulder injury.

The Prediction

The current odds favor the Pack by 6-1/2 points. If the Packers defense plays as they have, and both receivers and defensive backs catch the ball when it comes their way, the Pack should win this one. And it shouldn't come down to whether or not now-beleaguered and still semi-injured (?) kicker Brandon McManus can make a field goal or extra point. We see the Packers taking this game with rounding-into-form play on both sides of the ball. In Week 12, it's about time, right?

We're calling this game Packers 30 - ViQueens 13.

Go Pack Go!!!

2025 NFL Week 11: Packers vs. Giants Preview & Prediction

Well, Packers fans, that Monday night game versus the Eagles at Lambeau Field worked out as we predicted but not as we hoped. And the score was lower, as well: 10-7. Oy. Philly took it. Or did the Packers give it away? Honestly, until the Packers offense begins playing as expected that question about giving the game away will be an ongoing one. A defense that holds opposing offenses to 26 points across two games with an offense scoring just 20. Maddening.

As former Super Bowl-winning quarterback and MVP Kurt Warner noted when asked about what's ailing the Packers by ESPN sportscaster Rich Eisen, Warner said the Pack had a lot of injuries at key positions on the offensive side of the ball. Granted, he also noted, everybody has injuries so that can't be an excuse. But it does offer context. He also thought that it seemed to him Jordan Love is going through perhaps four or five progressions when he could probably eliminate two or three of those at the line of scrimmage when reading the defense so he could get the ball out faster. He also said he saw a couple instances where Love had an open receiver that he's looking at directly, but then tries to throw to a different receiver rather than taking what's right there.

Wondering what the instructions are that head coach and play-caller Matt LaFleur is giving to Love? It seems as if Love is operating as close to whatever the script is as possible ... instead of letting it rip as was the instruction in late 2023 when Love's play was incredible. He still has the arm, he still has the ability ... what maybe he doesn't have — for whatever reason — is the confidence of the head coach ...? This is now part of the conversation around LaFleur, Love and the offensive impotence we've seen especially in the last two games.

Anyway, enough about what was (and perhaps is). Let's look at Sunday's game against the NY Giants.

The Packers need to see RB Josh Jacobs and other playmakers

crossing the goal line today vs. the Giants.

(Photo by Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

The Preview

The Giants are 2-8 coming into this game and after firing their head coach. But they still have four first-round draft picks on the defensive line. So if their performance is mixed as it seems to have been in most games this season, the Packers jerry-rigged offensive line may have opportunities to create some running lanes — wouldn't that be nice? — and provide pass protection to QB Jordan Love who, let's admit it, for whatever reason(s) in the last two games has been like a deer in the headlights. Whether LaFleur doesn't trust his mega-millions QB to operate the offense and "let it rip" or Love is second-guessing himself, something has to change.

Granted, the offensive line challenges for the Packers this season have been of the higher order. Center Elton Jenkins is now out for the season due to a torn ACL and fractured fibula suffered in last week's game. Sean Rhyan is now at center. Moving parts once again because it's not just one guy. Of course, the "deep" wide receiving room was almost scraping the bottom of the barrel last game; WR Bo Melton who had been moved to cornerback was moved back to wide receiver and was targeted on multiple occasions by Love with minimal success. On a crucial 4th-and-6 play late in the game Love hit him cleanly in what would have kept a drive and go-ahead opportunity alive. Instead, Melton never got his hands in position to catch the pass; hit him right in the shoulder pads. Basically, it was game over given the ineptitude of the play-calling and execution for the night. Fortunately, there will be a few better options at receiver in today's game.

But this also raises the question of why LaFleur brought out the still-injured kicker Brandon McManus to try a 64-yarder to tie the game as time ran off the clock after turning down earlier opportunities at shorter distances to use him, going for it on 4th down when a healthy kicker would have been the preferred option. Perhaps as a result of McManus missing field goals in each of the 3 games since his return (and coincidentally being 1-2 in those games with missed field goals playing a role in the two losses), he is listed as doubtful for today's game. Good thing the Packers kept the franchise record-holder, Lukas Havrisik, on the roster...just in case. Look for Havrisik to try to salvage the Pack's kicking game today.

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by 7 at the time of this writing. Oddsmakers are obviously factoring the Pack's defense to handle Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston, who’s replacing Jaxson Dart who is out with a concussion. Winston has a strong arm but is prone to INTs. Plus, the Giants are without their top receiver and running back. Now, we've been there before, facing a team or teams who were without their top whatevers. Result? Packers still lost. It's a disturbing trend.

Still, this is one of those "get right" games for the Packers. They need this win before entering their three-game stretch against NFC North division rivals. Things don't get any easier from there, either.

The Pack needs this game to re-establish (establish?) their mojo.

We're call it Packers 20 - Giants 13. Yes, that's the combined score for the Pack from their prior two games combined. While it could be argued they should be scoring 20 in a half, we'll take it at this point for a game and a win.

Go Pack Go!!! 

2025 NFL Week 10: Packers vs. Eagles Preview & Prediction

First things first: Boy, were we off regarding the Packers game vs. Carolina. Way off. Despite the obviously better talent, the Pack sure underperformed — as they did at Cleveland. Losing to teams you should beat is not a way to demonstrate a team's championship bona fides. Especially leading into a Monday night game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles...the team that smacked the Packers down not once but twice last season.

So, why is it that the Packers seem to play down to the level of a supposedly lesser team? Perhaps playing not to lose? Failing to make adjustments? Missed opportunities, lack of turnovers, special teams glitches...? Now, losing emerging star TE Tucker Kraft during the game and, as it turns out, for the rest of the season to a torn ACL, had an impact on a game plan that probably ran a good chunk through him certainly had a negative effect. But, really, scoring a grand total of 23 points combined vs. Cleveland and Carolina? C'mon. This offense should be able to score more than that in one game even in their sleep.

Especially when the defense holds the opposing two teams to a total of 29 points ... although, admittedly, not getting critical late stops as the games wound down and allowing long field goals as the clock runs out ... can't ... do ... that. It's a concerning trend. Getting gutted up the middle is a formula for defeat ... especially against one of the game's top running backs.

The Packers have some issues. One of the surest ways to rectify that situation is to get a statement win at Lambeau Field tonight vs. the Eagles. So let's take a quick look at what we might expect.

This is a scene Packers fans hope to not see often this evening. Philly RB

Saquon Barkley was a killer for the Packers defense last season. He's not

off to the same start as last year, but with a run defense that's been gashed by

lesser rushers, the Pack has to focus on containing him tonight.

(Photo by Bill Streicher Imagn Images)

The Preview

Here we are in Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season and do we really know who this Packers team is? Sure, the record of 5-2-1 puts them at the top of the NFC North (who'da thunk that tie vs. Dallas would come in handy after all???). But other than the first two games where they were proclaimed by fans and national pundits alike as odds-on Super Bowl favorites, what have they shown? Inconsistency. Offensive linemen and coaches admitting that guys are still blocking the wrong guys. Special teams breakdowns. Lack of turnovers by the defense. Key players not being able to stay on the field. Personnel moves on both sides of the ball that now seem questionable at best. A head coach making inexplicable in-game decisions. e.g., going for it on 4th and 8 deep inside the opponent's territory instead of taking a field goal, ultimately being the difference in the game?

OK, so that's a bit of a look back instead of a forward preview, isn't it? Here's what we know going into tonight's game.

First, the Pack's supposedly deep wide receiving corps was down to just two healthy players on the practice field at one point this last week. Tonight, it's likely Matthew Golden and Savion Williams will not play. Of course, Jayden Reed is still out. TE Tucker Kraft (although not technically a wide receiver he sure was often schemed as one) is done for the year. Calling Luke Musgrave ... calling Luke Musgrave! WR Dontayvion Wicks is supposedly back tonight and there is some speculation that Bo Melton — who had been moved to cornerback this season from wide receiver because of the overcrowding at the position — could get some action at receiver tonight ... as well as at corner given Nat Hobbs is out, again. Wouldn't that be something to see?

Apart from the potential lack of receivers tonight, the Packers still haven't got their running game going. Tonight would certainly be a good night to get that in gear. If the Pack can run the ball to set up play-action and keep the Eagles offense on the sidelines that would be to the Pack's favor. And given the predicted weather forecast for this evening, a running game will likely be needed: it is expected to be cold and windy, with kickoff temperatures around 28 F and wind chills around 20 F with winds at 5 to 15 mph. Oh, yeah, there is also a slight chance of snow. So, yes, a Packers running game would be timely.

Now, the Eagles have the defensive script on how to keep the Packers in check given both Cleveland's and Carolina's success: stop Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson and force Jordan Love to throw underneath. That's OK if the chains are moving, but without a running threat that is a death-by-papercuts outcome for the Pack.

On the flip side, the Packers must contain Philly RB Saquon Barkley and if they do that, then also contain QB Jalen Hurts. 

How are you feelin'?

The Prediction

After their earlier season humiliation against the Browns, the Packers came back nicely. Until the game last week vs. the Panthers, that is. We'd like to think that would be the case tonight — getting right again. Losing two in a row at home is not what you need at this stage of the season. The Packers are at the time of this writing a 1-point home favorite. Oy.

Still, given the ongoing issues of consistency the Packers have had — including that of Kicker Brandon McManus in the last two games — and Philly come off their bye week, we find it hard to believe the Packers will take this game. Hope we are wrong. Nothing we want more than a Packers victory against their NFC East nemesis. If they play up to their capability, the Packers can pull it off. Probably another down to the wire game. Let us pray.

We're calling it Packers 20 - Eagles 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

2025 Week 9: Packers vs. Panthers Preview & Prediction

Before looking at this Sunday's game at Lambeau Field between the 5-1-1 Green Bay Packers vs. the 4-4 Carolina Panthers we obviously need to give a nod to last Sunday's night's 35-25 win in Pittsburgh against the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers. C'mon, say it with me: YES!

While the Steelers seemed to be holding sway in the first half, the Packers turned it up in the second, and particularly in the fourth quarter. QB Jordan Love had an epically good evening, throwing for 360 yards, 3 TDs and at one point completing 20 passes in a row, tying the Packers franchise record held by Brett Favre. Love said after the game he had no idea how many passes he had consecutively completed and that he was tied with Favre for the record; he said he may not have chucked that 21st pass into the turf if he had known. Either way, well done, Mr. Love.

One of the big factors for Love's success on the night was the return of WR Christian Watson coming off his torn ACL recovery. It looked like Watson hadn't lost a step and caught all four  passes on which he was targeted for 85 yards on the night. Welcome back, Mr. Watson!

Another big factor for Love and the Packers offense was the big night for TE Tucker Kraft, who had 143 yards receiving on seven catches with more than 131 of those yards coming after the catch ... yes, that amazing YAC stat! Can it be argued that Kraft is one of the top tight ends in the NFL at this point? A-duh! He was targeted 10 times for the second game in a row. That is getting into Receiver #1 territory...in fact, the last time a Packers receiver was targeted 10 time in three straight games was Davante Adams in 2021 (if memory serves). If it seems as if head coach Matt LaFleur is game-planning around Kraft it might just well be because he is. And a third straight 10 target game might well be in the cards today.

DE Michael Parsons (#1) had a big night for the Packers against the

team's former starting QB, Aaron Rodgers (shown here as a stand-in is

the Bengals Joe Flacco), including a sack and multiple pressures.

(Photo by Tork Mason, USA Today NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Oh, and the Packers defense did what they needed to do against former QB Rodgers, including sacking the increasingly immobile A-Aron. DE Micah Parsons was part of that sack success. And when he wasn't directly involved in the sack, he created such havoc that others, such as Rashan Gary, also recorded sacks. May it continue thusly.

All in all, the Pack won in Pittsburgh for the first time since the immortal Bart Starr was QB'ing the Packers ... in 1970. Guess you could say Green Bay was due.

In the process, as this may well be the last time that Rodgers plays against his former team, he has beaten 31 of the NFL's 32 teams; he did not get the win against the Packers. Amen.

We were also fairly close on our final prediction...but the Pack, thankfully, did slightly better than expected, which is always welcome, of course. We had it going 30-27 in favor of the Packers, the final score was 35-25.

The Preview

While it is expected that Carolina will have starting QB Bryce Young back today, they do have some potential concerns with others. Cade Mays (C) and Princely Umanmielen (OLB) are ruled out, a number of others are questionable. While 4-4, the Panthers got smacked by the Bills last week, 40-9. Granted Young did not play, forcing the Cats to go with veteran QB Andy Dalton who did not have a good day, obviously.

The Packers come into this game fairly healthy. Granted, the Pack still has issues to resolve as we go into Week 9 (!) of the season. Chief among them, some might say, is that the running game is still not rolling. Carolina could be the ideal opponent to match up against to help remedy that situation: they gave up 245 yards and 12 first downs rushing to the Bills. Ouch. Still, as reports note, Carolina has allowed 200 or more yards rushing twice in their eight games, but they've allowed only an average of 75 yards per game in the other six. A bit of a Jekyll-Hyde thing. While RB Josh Jacobs has been productive in terms of scoring touchdowns, the big chunks of yardage haven't yet been there. His backfield partner, however — Emanuel Wilson — so far has been the back to reel off some good runs. Between the two, they should have a big day today. Particularly since there now seems to be stability on the offensive line.

Now, some have referred to today's game — only the second home game in the last seven! — as the proverbial trap game with next Monday night's game against the Eagles (who have a bye this week...oy) on the horizon. The Packers can't look past the Panthers. We don't need a repeat of the Cleveland game (the horror...the horror....). But I don't believe the coaches or the leaders on the team will let that happen. They can't let that happen.

We're still looking for a full 60-minute game from this squad. Could they use this game as a tune-up in that regard for the Eagles? That would be good. Very good.

The weather report for today's game has the temps in the low 50s, with any rain holding off until later in the evening, but winds may be gusting up to 25 miles per hour during the game. Challenging.

By the way, Brandon McManus will once again be the active kicker for the Packers. Phenom fill-in and Packers record holder for the longest FG in franchise history (61 yards!) K Lukas Havrisik is still on the roster but again inactive today. But with the trade deadline coming up and other key personnel coming off IR in the weeks ahead, Packers management may face a difficult decision on the kicking front in the coming days. McManus, after missing two field goals last week (including a 57-yarder), needs to reestablish his consistency today when given his opportunities. Havrisik will likely be playing for someone the remainder of the season given his audition with the Pack. But if the team is unable to trade him, they will need to release him and will likely be picked up by another team. He's a kicker you'd love to keep on the practice squad but he would need to be released and not picked up in order for that to happen. Not likely. Anyway, keep an eye on his performance today.

The Packers will be wearing their 1923 throwback uniforms today,

including hand-painted "leather" look helmets. Very cool.

(Photo by Evan Siegle, Green Bay Packers)

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by 13 points at the time of this writing, if one is a betting person and is concerned about such things. We're always uncomfortable with a spread that large. We're happy with a "W" regardless of the final sores. Still, it should be noted that this is a game in which the Pack should dominate in all phases of the game. Whether that is reflected in the final score or not ... ???

We're calling this game Packers 34 - Panthers 20.

Go Pack Go!!!

P.S. The Packers will be wearing their 1923 throwback uniforms today, including hand-painted "leather" look helmets. According to Packers historian Cliff Christl, these 1923 uni's reflect perhaps the most important year in Packers history: it was the year the Packers became a publicly held, nonprofit corporation. As Christl noted in a recent radio interview, if that had not happened the likelihood of the team surviving and remaining in Green Bay would have been slim and none. Keep that in mind as you watch the game today. And thank those community visionaries of more than 100 years ago for putting the future of the team in the hands of the fans. And if you're like more than 500,000 fellow fans, we salute you as a fellow owner of the Packers.

2025 NFL Week 8: Packers vs Steelers Preview & Prediction

Well, Packer fans, we were able to return from the desert of Arizona earlier this week with a 27-23 win over the Cardinals in a game that really went right down to the wire. We called it 30-24 in our prediction; once again, very close.

Will say here what I said to a Cardinals fan on the walk out of the stadium — which was filled with about two-thirds Packers fans as you could hear on the TV coverage I was told — that the Cardinals are so very close. They have now lost five games this season by a total of 13 points, if memory serves. They should also stick with backup QB Jacoby Brissett. He had a great command of the game and had big plays to his top receivers.

But enough about last week. We have some story lines to talk about in tonight's Sunday Night Football extravaganza, don't we? Let's get on with it then.

Packers WR Christian Watson is expected to make his return to the

playing field for the first time since last January after recovering from

an ACL tear. While he has been practicing for the last three weeks, fans

shouldn't expect to see perhaps more than 10-20 plays from him as the

Pack eases him back into playing form. Still, his ability to lengthen the

field and put pressure on the Steelers defense — even as a decoy —

shouldn't be underestimated.

(Photo by Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

There are so many ways to look at this game that space and time prevent reviewing each. So let's just note a few:

• The Packers last win in Pittsburgh against the Steelers was in 1970. 1970! With the legendary Bart Starr at quarterback, no less.

• Steelers QB (and, of course, former Packers QB) Aaron Charles Rodgers has beaten 31 of 32 NFL teams during his illustrious Hall of Fame career. The only team he hasn't beaten? The Packers, of course.

• WR Christian Watson will be making his 2025 NFL season debut today. As a down-field threat, he should give a boost to the Packers offense even if he is not targeted much. But we'd expect a few throws to go his way.

• High-priced Packers cornerback signing Nate Hobbs got exposed last week in Arizona. He had difficulty covering the Cardinals big-time receivers and gave up huge yardage. If Rodgers exposes him again it will be interesting to see what adjustments Jeff Hafley and his defense make during the game.

• The only Packers players ruled out for tonight's game are WR Dontayvion Wicks and DE Lukas Van Ness. Among other notables indicated as questionable on the injury report are K Brandon McManus and DT Devonte Wyatt.

• While McManus did practice this week after missing the last two games with a quadriceps injury to his kicking leg, the Packers released TE Ben Simms to make room for retaining K Lucas Havrisik who has been stellar in his appearances, making 100% of his field goals and PAT attempts ... including a franchise record 61-yard field goal to end the first half last week in Arizona. While it's unusual for teams to keep two kickers on the active roster it has been done before. The thinking here is that while McManus may be good to go, ya never know at this stage of his recovery. And releasing Havrisik risks the chance — especially after the way he has performed — that another team might sign him. Gotta hedge your bets. For a while at least.

• RB Josh Jacobs should be a bit fuller speed than last week where he was limited with a calf injury. That bodes well against a somewhat shakey Steelers defense.

• While both Steelers WR DK Metcalf and DE TJ Watt missed two days of practice this week, they both were also full participants on Friday which would lead one to assume both will play in today's game. Darn it!

• Packers DE Micah Parsons got the first three-sack game of his career last week ... and it should have been four if not for a first-time-this-season "hip drop" penalty ... which was also only called once all last season. Oy. Some of those sacks came late in the game when the Cardinals inexplicably decided to try to block him one-on-one. Let's hope the Steelers also try that tonight. And good luck with that!

• Jordan Love seems to love playing on Sunday night. As an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel states: "Love has started four Sunday night games in his career and is 3-0-1, the only blemish a Sept. 28 tie against the Dallas Cowboys. In those four games, Love has thrown 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has passer ratings of 118.6, 125.3, 123.8 and 118.1. Dating to 2023, his first year as a starter, Love leads the NFL with a passer rating of 121.1 in Sunday night games and is tied for No. 1 in passing touchdowns. Love’s 121.1 passer rating in Sunday night games is the second best since 2000 (100 pass attempts minimum) behind New Orleans’ Drew Brees (121.7)." Let us hope this kind of performance continues tonight.

We could go on with the bullet points. Lots of bits to look at. But, in the bigger scheme of things, whether this turns out to be "Rodgers Revenge" game against his old team, as some see it, or a confirmation of the changing of the guard for the Packers, this will be a full-on battle for four quarters.

The Prediction

At the time of this writing, the Packers are favored by 2-1/2 points, down from 3 earlier in the week; the odds always seem to adjust closer to game time, as you know. The over-under is set at 46-1/2 points.

We see this game, between two division leaders, as one where the last team to have the ball will likely win. Rodgers is Rodgers for a reason: he's seen everything a defense can throw at him. While his mobility is limited, he is getting passes out of his hand in less than 2-1/2 seconds ... remarkable. And unless the Packers defense can figure out a way to disrupt that rhythm and get pressure on him, it might be a long night for the D. Conversely, if the Packers offensive line can protect Love the way they have been — along with creating rushing lanes for Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson — the Pack will be in it to win it.

We're calling this one Packers 30 - Steelers 27.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL 2025 Week 7: Packers vs. Cardinals Preview & Prediction

Happy Day in the Desert, Packer fans! Yes, we're talking about the Packers visiting the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. And they aren't the only ones; we will be there, too! We'll do our best to  to bring you all a victory. More on that in a moment.

But first, a look back at last Sunday's game at Lambeau versus the Bengals. Our predicted score: 27-17. The final score? 27-18. We love it when we get it so close! But what made it that close was a Packers defense that couldn't get off the field (remember that roughly 10-minute possession by the Bengals to start the second half?), couldn't get to QB Joe Flacco, the human statue (for the second time in three weeks lest we forget), and couldn't cover Cincinnati's two top wide receivers. What went right for the Packers was that QB Jordan Love had a solid game (despite the redzone interception), RB Josh Jacobs got going in the second half and scored two TDs, rookie WR Matthew Golden had his best game so far in his young career, special teams didn't have any major breakdowns, and that a kicker signed over the weekend to replace the injured Brandon McManus was 100 percent on the money with his field goals and PATs. It was all good enough to put the Pack at 3-1-1 and atop the NFC North. Can you believe it? Yes, lots of work still to do in all phases of the game.

Rookie WR Matthew Golden had his best game so far in the win

vs. the Bengals. He and the Packers look to continue to excel this Sunday

vs. the Cardinals in Phoenix.

(Photo via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

And the ongoing lesson, of course, is not to take any team for granted. Especially not the 2-4 Cardinals. Let's take a look at this game in a bit more detail to see why.

The Preview

Let's consider that the Cardinals four losses have been by a combined total of 9 points including several last second losses on field goals and in their last game, a blown penalty non-call on the last play of the game in the end zone that would have given the Cardinals the win. QB Kyler Murray was out for that game and veteran Jacoby Brissett wound up getting the start and throwing for more than 300 yards. It could be argued that the Cardinals are one of the best 2-4 teams in the league. And that should make the Packers nervous whether Murray plays or not.

Now if the Packers play up to their own level of talent — and do so for a full 60 minutes — they should come away with the win. But given that it seems as if the Pack is still trying to figure out who they are...well, as we saw in Cleveland and Dallas, anything can happen.

It looks as if Packers K Brandon McManus will likely not again be available; that wasn't a factor with the on-the-mark replacement in the last game. He also got solid protection from the blocking unit and that will once again be needed to make that part of the game work...which could just be the difference in the game. Word also has it (on Saturday) that RB Josh Jacobs may not be able to go; perhaps a gametime decision. The Pack would miss his impact if he is unable to go, which could alter the outcome.

The Prediction

Thankfully, the stadium in Phoenix is enclosed as the temperature forecast for Sunday is about 90. Yowza. Hopefully, the Packers players will ignore the outdoor temps and focus on turning up the temperature on their opponent inside the stadium. Nothing is a given in this league this season. While the Packers are at the time of this writing 6-1/2 point favorites (down from 7 points earlier in the week), that spread also doesn't seem to give Arizona the credit they are due given the record.

Still, we think the Packers will finally start putting more of their game together than not. If so, we are calling this one Packers 30 - Cardinals 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

P.S. We have been spending the past few days in Arizona. We ran into two busloads of Packers fans — 110 we were told! — wearing all their Packers gear in Sedona, AZ on Friday. On Saturday, we ran into a bunch of individual Packer fans in Jerome, AZ...some of whom said they had also seen the horde of Packers fans in Sedona! Expect a lot of Packer fans at this game. And that may very well be part of the story on Sunday, too. Ya never know.