NFL Analysis Network

5 reasons the Arizona Cardinals will defeat the Packers in Week 8

The Arizona Cardinals are looking to remain unbeaten when they host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football to begin Week 8. The latest win for the Cardinals came against the Houston Texans in what was a lopsided game by the score of 31-5. Kyler Murray is amid the NFL MVP race and has Arizona’s offense running smoothly to begin the season.

As for the Packers, they’ve now won six straight games following their blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers has Green Bay’s offense humming along nicely, and they may need him to play even better if Davante Adams is out in Week 8 due to COVID-19.

Ahead of what is a battle of two of the top NFC teams, here are five reasons why the Cardinals will defeat the Packers in Week 8.

Kyler Murray Isn’t Slowing Down

As previously mentioned, Murray is an NFL MVP candidate thus far, and for good reason. Murray is completing a league-leading 73.5% of his attempts for 2,002 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He’s also carried the ball 43 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

While the defense of the Packers has performed better than expected in recent weeks without Jaire Alexander, Murray is playing at an elite level right now, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Chase Edmonds And James Conner Are Proving To Be A Dynamic Duo

The passing attack of the Cardinals has been nearly unstoppable this season, but they’ve also been able to run the ball effectively. Chase Edmonds has been the most dynamic option out of the backfield for Arizona, operating as the early-down back.

Even though James Conner isn’t the running back he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in certain moments, he’s excelling as a short-yardage option for the Cardinals. If it turns into a slow-paced game on Thursday night, then Arizona is capable of winning through their rushing attack.

Who Is Covering Each Wideout On The Cardinals?

I’ve already spoken about Alexander being out for the Packers in the secondary. It would be one thing if the Cardinals only had DeAndre Hopkins at the wide receiver position. However, aside from Hopkins, Arizona has one of the deepest wide receiving corps in the NFL with Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, and Rondale Moore.

At the same time, Zach Ertz is now an option at the tight end position for the Cardinals. With a quarterback as explosive as Murray, having a deep group of weapons makes Arizona’s offense so tough to stop. It’s hard to envision the Packers being able to have the personnel to slow down the offensive threats of the Cardinals on Thursday.

Davante Adams Likely To Be Sidelined

Everyone was anticipating seeing two of the top teams in the NFC square off on Thursday night. But the interest of the game could decline a bit if Davante Adams is ruled out. Adams tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

With Adams being vaccinated, he will need to produce just two negative tests to be able to play against the Cardinals. That being said, if Adams is unable to have two negative tests before Thursday, then a large portion of Green Bay’s offense will be sidelined.

Teams Can Get Pressure On Aaron Rodgers

While the Packers have been able to string together six straight wins, they’ve been susceptible to allowing pressure on Rodgers. Of the first seven weeks, Rodgers has been sacked at least three times in four weeks.

Altogether, Green Bay’s offensive line has given up 17 sacks (tied for the ninth most in the NFL). The bad news for the Packers is that Chandler Jones was just activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list after missing the last two games for the Cardinals. Jones has five sacks on the season, which all came in Week 1 versus the Tennessee Titans.


If you’d like to bet on anything Cardinals related, check out Arizona sports betting.

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