The Packers Can't Take Arizona Lightly, Regardless Of Who's Under Center

We’re six weeks into the season, and the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals are separated by just one game in the win column. However, the vibes surrounding the two teams couldn’t be more different. 

Part of that may be because the Cardinals have lost four in a row since their 2-0 start, while Green Bay has only the one loss. Still, the Cardinals are a few bounces of the ball away from a 6-0 record. They’ve lost their last four games by a combined nine points, which included one of the more improbable losses I’ve seen in a long time, two weeks ago to the Tennessee Titans. 

However, they also didn’t look impressive in their 20-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 and nearly blew a massive lead to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Arizona could also easily be 0-6.

But that's representative of who the Cardinals are. They’re a team stuck in no man's land, a squad that boasts a lot of talent but lacks an identity and feels directionless. They compete every week but leave fans consistently frustrated and wanting more.

On any given Sunday, the Cardinals are capable of beating anyone, but they can also lose to anyone.

The Packers have shown some similar qualities. People want more than a team that can win and lose to anyone. However, the highs we’ve seen from Green Bay have been much higher, and the lows haven’t been nearly as low. The Packers are the evidently superior team in this matchup, and they should win, but they can't take the Cardinals lightly. 

Arizona’s quarterback uncertainty adds a whole different element to this game. Kyler Murray suffered a foot injury in their matchup against the Titans and missed last week's game. He’s questionable again this week. However, Jacoby Brissett is one of the more capable backups in the league and played well when called upon. He might have even run the offense better than Murray. 

That makes this a tough game for the Green Bay defense to prepare for. Everyone knows that Murray is supremely talented. He has an awesome arm. He was the ninth-overall pick in the MLB draft as a center fielder. He’s one of the fastest and most dynamic rushing threats at his position. 

Still, despite all the talent and the flashes, the offense has consistently stumbled over the past several seasons because Murray struggles due to his size. He often resorts to playing backyard football.

Brissett is the complete opposite. He has an NFL arm, but he’s a huge statue in the pocket who excels playing in a quick-game timing offense and chucking a few deep balls. Last week, Arizona’s offense put up 27 points on a good Indianapolis Colts defense. Meanwhile, Brissett had 320 yards and two TDs, something Kyler hasn’t done in 34 games.

Arizona still lost the game. Throughout the Kyler Murray era, they’ve been a truly horrible team when he hasn’t played. In the last three years, they’re 1-16 without him. 

If Brissett is the starter, this is a game where the Green Bay defense and Jeff Hafley need to change their approach. In the last two-and-a-half games, teams have begun to figure out how to play this Green Bay defense, using quick game to negate Green Bay’s tremendous pass rush. 

Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns found success in the second half of their Week 3 win over Green Bay. Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys put up 40. After the Cincinnati Bengals traded for Flacco, he found success again in the second half last week, getting the ball out quickly into Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’ hands. 

If Murray is starting, the Packers may be better off sticking with the softer zone and letting Kyler do too much while the pass rush tees off. Still, the Packers would run the risk of Kyler getting hot playing the way he’d like to play, even though it may not be the way the Cardinals want the offense to run. That may allow Trey McBride to eat up the soft spots all game, which could be devastating for a defense.

Even though the QB uncertainty is a tough thing to prepare for, Green Bay’s defense has a few things going in its favor.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is still in concussion protocol after hitting the back of his head after a hard fall last Sunday, forcing him to leave the game, and is questionable for this Sunday's game. 

On top of that, Arizona’s running back room is devastated, with James Conner and Trey Benson both sustaining long-term injuries. Emari Demercado got banged up last week and is questionable this week. It’s down to Michael Carter and Zonovan “Bam” Knight. 

With all of Arizona’s injuries, the run game has been anemic the past two weeks. Carter and Knight have combined for 42 carries for 130 yards in the last two games, good for 3.1 yards per carry. Demercado at least gave them an explosive 71-yard run against the Titans. 

Unfortunately for him and the Cardinals, he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, and it resulted in a turnover and a benching. He has only had four carries over the last two weeks and is now injured.

Green Bay must come in extra prepared and focused for the Cardinals. Not just because Arizona’s record is not reflective of its quality, but also because there are a lot of questions about who’s playing that will dramatically affect the game.

Green Bay is the better team, and this should be a game they win, but it won't be a cakewalk.