It’s still early in the season, but we already have a good idea of what to expect from the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals. Green Bay is 3-1-1 and looks like a playoff team in the early going. But the Cardinals, in what feels like a make-or-break season, have fallen to 2-4 and have some tough questions to answer.
The Packers are seven-point road favorites for this contest on DraftKings Sportsbook. If you favor a Cardinals upset, they’re listed at +300 on the moneyline. The total for this game is set at 44.5 points. Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Cardinals-Packers matchup.
Cardinals vs. Packers prediction, preview
It’s all clicking for the Packers to start the season. Jordan Love is spreading the ball around well, completing over 70% of his passes and averaging 250+ yards per game. He’s got a three-headed monster at the front of his receiving group, including Romeo Doubs, rookie Matthew Golden, and tight end Tucker Kraft. And, of course, Josh Jacobs is chugging alone in the backfield and staying involved in the passing game. Their offense has been one of the best in the sport, racking up the eighth most points per game (26.2)
But that’s not the most impressive part. Green Bay’s defense is in the top five in rushing yards allowed per attempt and tops the NFL in opponent yards per pass attempt. They’re fighting for every inch out there. Micah Parsons, acquired from the Cowboys, was the final piece needed for their defense to ascend into elite territory.
Things aren’t as rosy in the desert. The Arizona offense was already looking rough in the early going, but now the injuries are piling up. Their top two running backs have gone down, while Kyler Murray is slated to miss his second straight game with a foot injury. When you’re two games underwater in a high-stakes season for everyone in the organization, turning to backups against an NFC powerhouse is less than ideal.
But not all hope is lost. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett slung the ball well last week against the Colts, putting pressure on an emergent Indianapolis Colts squad. Is he enough to keep the Cardinals in the game? Or will Green Bay run rampant on the road?
Cardinals vs. Packers pick, best bet
Somehow, every single game the Cardinals have played this season has been decided by one score. They always find a way to play to the level of their competition, for better or for worse. With a one-score line here, I think the Cardinals find a way to stay close in this one — even if they don’t come away with the win.
