- CARDINALS at Packers
- 10 a.m. Sunday
- Lambeau Field
- Line: Cardinals +5 (For more NFL odds, visit the BetMGM online sportsbook)
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What's Love Got To Do With It?
Answer: A lot. With all apologies to both Tina Turner (song title) and HOF QB Brett Favre (nickname), Jordan Love is the new gunslinger in Green Bay.
Remarkably, Love is second in passing yards per game (291) while ranking second-to-last in completion percentage (56.1). Also, the former first-round pick simultaneously leads the NFL in passing touchdowns per game and interceptions thrown per game (1.7).
It's not feast or famine – it's both. Like, two weeks ago at Lambeau, when Love threw four TD passes and three picks in a loss to the Vikings. Apparently, with Green Bay quarterbacks, elite arm talent simply gets, ahem, passed on from generation to generation (Favre to Rodgers to Love).
In fact, when asked about defending the Packers offense this week, Jonathan Gannon immediately summed it up: "They throw the ball over people's heads." What's the solution? Simple. Jordan Love also sports the lowest passer rating when under pressure (23.3) in the NFL. As JG might say – Gotta affect the quarterback.
-- Paul Calvisi
While 30 Works, 60 Can Double The Pleasure
For the second time this season, the Cardinals pitched a second-half shutout -- this time, against the 49ers, with the first coming in Week 3 against the Lions. It's been impressive to see the halftime adjustments make an immediate impact. It's a credit to the players, but also a kudos to defensive coordinator Nick Rallis for recognizing what the opponents are doing. The next step is stringing together a complete game on that side of the ball. You'd love to see the Packers have a zero on the scoreboard, but Jordan Love is a good quarterback. If the Cardinals defense can run on the field to start the game and play with the same intensity that was on display in the second half, it'll be a big test for Love and Co.
-- Zach Gershman
Get The X Out Of The Way
There is nothing more important in the game than the football. Protect the football. Take the football away. The latter is something the Packers do very well. In fact, no team does it better.
"Ball security is going to be at a premium for us," wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said.
The Packers lead the league with 14 takeaways, including nine interceptions (they had seven all of last season). The driving force behind the Packers' success has been safety Xavier McKinney, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Signed to a big-money, free-agent deal in the offseason, McKinney is tops on the team in both interceptions (5; No. 1 in the NFL) and passes defensed (6).
Again, the Cardinals must protect the football at all costs.
-- Craig Grialou
