The 6-1 Green Bay Packers head to Arizona to face the undefeated Cardinals in what could be a preview of the NFC championship game. Green Bay is on a six-game win streak, but will it stop here?
Rob Schumacher / The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
- Money line: Green Bay (+225) | Arizona (-275)
- Spread: Green Bay +6.5 (-110) | Arizona -6.5 (+110)
- Total: 50.5 – Over (-110) | Less (-110)
- Game information: October 28, 2021, 8:20 pm ET | NFL Network
Let’s look at some quick numbers. Both teams have good offenses, but the Cardinals’ 32 points per game this year would easily cover the margin compared to Green Bay’s 24. Defensively, the Cardinals have allowed opponents the lowest points in the NFL, an average of 16.3 points per game. , to the 21 of the Packers.
It’s easy to see how the Cardinals are the favorites at home.
Green Bay should never be ruled out, but we do have to take into account the fact that Aaron Rodgers probably won’t have bolt catcher Davante Adams, and they will definitely be without catcher Allen Lazard. Adams and Lazard are on the COVID-19 list, and only Adams has the slim chance of clearing the protocol in time. We still have to know if Marques Valdez Scanting will be activated for this game.
Now before you worry too much about Rodgers, it’s worth noting that in his last five games played without Davante Adams, he threw for 17 touchdowns. Rodgers has thrown for 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns this year with a 68.3% completion rate.
On the Arizona side, Kyler Murray has been playing soccer like a video game. He’s running less than ever, but he’s making up for it with yards in the air.
Kyler’s stats this year are staggering: 2,002 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and a 73.5% completion rate. When it comes to weapons, Kyler has a huge advantage. DeAndre Hopkins, AJ Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore and now Zach Ertz round out their pass receivers, and they’re all healthy.
The running game should be active for both squads, with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon capitalizing on an Arizona running defense that has allowed opposing running backs the third-most yards per carry this year (4.79). On the other hand, Chase Edmonds and James Conner should make some progress while Green Bay is busy trying to stop Kyler in midair.
In the end, Green Bay will remain competitive, but the Cardinals will remain undefeated.
Check the odds in SI Sportsbook
As for the points scored in this game, I like the UPON on the total of the game of 50.5. I don’t see this as a defensive chess game.
Now, let’s have fun with some gamer accessories!
Chase Edmonds for over 43.5 rushing yards -120
Chase Edmonds is out of the injury report. He had 15 carries last week compared to Conner’s 10, and he played 70% of snaps to Conner’s 30%. Edmonds had 81 rushing yards last week, and has beaten this rushing pillar in five of seven games. Sports betting YES He’s got James Conner’s pillar taller than Edmonds, maybe because they expect Arizona to play a big lead, but that just doesn’t add up to me. I’m taking control with 43.5 rushing yards for Chase Edmonds.
Speaking of James Conner, I love him for a touchdown anytime at +138. Plain and simple, Conner is the goal-line runner. Edmonds hasn’t found the end zone once, and Conner is averaging 41% of goal-line chances for Arizona. Conner has already recorded six touchdowns this year, so grab the extra money.
The running game should be active Thursday for Green Bay. Arizona has allowed 4.79 yards per carry, the third-most in the league, and an 85% catch rate for opposing running backs. Aaron Rodgers can’t win this one alone, and Jones may be the best weapon he has.
If there is no Davante Adams, and there is no Allen Lazard, and there is no Marquez Valdez Scantling, well, who does he go to? Randall Cobb is the wide receiver Rodgers will find. It’s no secret that Cobb’s addition was part of the deal Rodgers made to stay in Green Bay this year. They’re actually “best friends” and maybe we’ll even get a cute Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski-style Instagram story. Or, better yet, maybe we have a two touchdown game like in Week 4, even though we really only need one.
Joseph Maiorana / USA TODAY Sports
Marcedes Lewis anytime TD +650
Okay, here’s your lottery ticket for Thursday.
You may be thinking of playing Robert Tonyan for a TD at any time, and yes, it is a good play. We know Rodgers loves him as a red zone target, and let’s face it, the Packers don’t have many great options. Consider this though: The Cardinals have yet to allow a TD to an opposing tight end this year. They have also allowed the fewest receiving yards at tight end, just 156.
Now, you can say that’s because the tight ends they’ve faced haven’t beaten the world. Here’s the list: Anthony Firkser, Tyler Conklin, Jacob Hollister, Tyler Higbee, Ross Dwelley, David Njoku, Austin Hooper, and Jordan Akins. In reality, though, Arizona’s dominance against tight end dates back to 2020, and that’s down to linebacker Isaiah Simmons’s defense.
So here’s a scenario: While Simmons is busy taking out TE1 Tonyan, Rodgers sneaks one into Lewis. Lewis had three touchdowns in 2020 and saw three goals last week, so he’s heading in the right direction.
Who’s with me?
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.