NFL Week 8 Packers at Cardinals Betting Preview
Showdown Loses Some Luster With Green Bay Absences
The Week 8 Packers at Cardinals matchup looks like it will be a meeting of two of the popular choices to make the NFC Championship. While Green Bay may still get to that point eventually, Thursday’s matchup gets tougher with WRs Davante Adams and Allen Lazard both out due to COVID.
Can Aaron Rodgers put this team on his back with a rag tag bunch of WRs? The line has jumped from ARZ -3.5 to ARZ -6.5 after the Packers COVID absences. The Cardinals had a pretty easy contest last week in a 31-5 win over Houston so they should be prepared on the short turnaround week.
Who Steps Up for Green Bay?
Not having Adams is going to string for the Packers offense, as his 52 receptions are second behind only Cooper Kupp in the NFL. Lazard also had 15 receptions on the season with 2 TD. Now Rodgers will have to turn to old target Randal Cobb, rookie Amari Rodgers, or the TE duo of Mercedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan to keep Green Bay’s passing offense in tact.
Rodgers may have a harder go of it in the week 8 Packers at Cardinals matchup as Arizona’s defense ranks 3rd in the NFL giving up just 201 ypg through the air. RB Aaron Jones will likely need to play a big role on Thursday night as he hasn’t had more than 17 carries in a game this season.
The Packers defense also has their work cut out for him against Kyler Murray and a Cardinals offense that is 7th in the NFL in tallying up 402.1 ypg. Green Bay has built up their defensive numbers helped by playing Washington and Chicago the last two weeks, and are #7 in the NFL allowing 331.4 ypg.
Arizona a TD Better Here?
The Cardinals are up to -6.5 favorites for Thursday’s matchup as they try to push their record to 8-0 on the season. Arizona has answered all the major challenges they’ve faced so far which includes wins in Tennessee, at the Rams, and at Cleveland and now they get the advantage of facing the Packers at home.
Murray got even more weapons with the acquisition of Eagles TE Zach Ertz and he produced immediately with 3 catches for 66 yards and a TD. Rodgers is throwing to 3rd and 4th stringers on Thursday night, while Murray gets Ertz, Deandre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, and Rondale Moore.
The Cardinals also have a solid run game with the tandem of Chase Edmonds (397 yards) and James Conner (336 yards) and the Packers are allowing 120.9 yards/game on the ground (22nd).
Week 8 Packers at Cardinals Pick
It’s rare to see Rodgers getting +6.5 points in a game but that’s a sign of just how depleted their receiving corps is coming into this matchup. Marques Valdez-Scantling (hamstring) is also likely out for this contest. Is Rodgers still good enough to lead Green Bay to at least cover the number though?
Oddsmakers are expecting some points in this one, and ultimately that’s the way to go in wagering on this game.
Green Bay 24 – Arizona 31
Free Pick: Over 50.5
