This Sunday, two of the oldest franchises in the NFL will battle in their 78th meeting in 103 years.
The Green Bay Packers (3-2) and Arizona Cardinals (2-3) both come out of Week 5 with road wins against NFC West opponents and look to stay in the win column this Sunday, October 13th at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In order to do so, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Arizona’s Jonathan Gannon will need to exploit the weaknesses present in the matchup to fully execute the major successes they attained last week.
Will Green Bay, Arizona Deliver Another Overtime Thriller? Packers, Cardinals Preview
Cardinals Besting Titletown As of Late
While the Packers hold a commanding 46-26-4 all-time record against the Cardinals in their illustrious existence, Arizona has taken the cake recently. In the last six head-to-head matchups, the Cardinals have won four, including two overtime playoff games in 2010 and 2016.
The crushing 51-45 loss in overtime came just a week after the Packers defeated Arizona 33-7 in their regular season finale and marked the last playoff loss before Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to their fourth Super Bowl win in 2011. 2016 also witnessed Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald put on the performance of a lifetime to end the Packers season in shocking fashion despite magical hail mary plays by Rodgers in the final seconds of regulation.
Week 5 Recaps
Gannon’s Cardinals continue their road trip to Lambeau after upsetting the mighty 49ers 24-23 at Levi’s Stadium to keep the race for the NFC West close. San Francisco saw the likes of quarterback Kyler Murray using his legs to exploit holes in the 49ers defense early and scoring on a 50-yard run on the Cardinals first drive.
Arizona, down 23-10 after a momentum-shifting blocked field goal and return touchdown, was able to erase the deficit as the 49ers offense continued to make mistakes and stall drives.
In their second game without cornerback Jaire Alexander, the Packers were able to get it done despite another slow start from the offense after their opening touchdown drive. With Los Angeles holding just a three-point lead at the half, Green Bay’s defense forced two Los Angeles turnovers leading to 14 unanswered points and a two-possession lead.
The Rams had opportunities to crawl back into the match as the Packers offense stalled, yet fell short of victory thanks to defensive success. But what can both squads do to ensure their team name is accompanied by a “W2” in the league standings?
Packers Cardinals Preview
Cardinals – Give the Ball to James Conner
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has not shied from giving the ball to James Conner, as he is 6th in rushing attempts this season – and for good reason.
Arizona has been successful in the run game this season as James Conner ranks 7th in rushing yards with 379 and three touchdowns through five games. Petzing should establish the run game to see results through the air that were absent against San Francisco, as Murray was rarely comfortable as a pocket passer and received pressure early and often by a 49ers blitz.
James Conner will face a Green Bay front that has allowed 100+ rushing-yard performances to Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, and Kyren Williams, which is all the more reason James Conner should receive the extensive workload he has been receiving all year against Green Bay.
Packers – Avoid Conservatism on Offense
If there is any time for Jordan Love to let the pigskin fly, it is this weekend. With Romeo Doubs returning from suspension and Tucker Kraft coming off of a monster showing last week, the Cardinals secondary will have their hands full trying to stop Love from making plays left and right.
While Love has completed just 56.1% of his passes, a league-low among active starters, 11.1% of those passes have been dropped. The Cardinals defense is ranked 30th in completion percentage among opposing passers and is ranked last in first downs allowed to opposing receivers.
Look for Matt LaFleur and this Packers offense to exploit this Cardinals secondary schematically while Josh Jacobs takes more of a back seat in this preview.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA Today Sports
