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.
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.
