Next: Seattle at Carolina
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (-7)
The Cardinals are one of the more complete teams in the National Football League. After going 13-3 and earning the second seed in the NFC playoffs, Arizona finds itself having to play Green Bay for the second time in four weeks. The first time around, the Cardinals sacked Aaron Rodgers on nine occasions and won 38-8 in what was a statement went for Bruce Arians and his group.
The Packers were left for dead after losing in Week 17 to the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field, and in the process blowing the NFC North title. However, Green Bay showed that it is still a very dangerous team. In the NFC Wild Card game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, the Packers fell behind 11-0 before rallying for a convincing 35-17 win.
So who takes this battle of heavyweights? Green Bay has the star power in the names of Rodgers, Clay Matthews Jr., Randall Cobb and Julius Peppers, but the Cardinals are the much more complete team. Arizona has three nice receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown. Carson Palmer is having the best year of his long career and rookie running back David Johnson has been great.
Arizona should win this game and do it without much problem, if only because Green Bay won’t be able to defend the passing attack. Once the Cardinals take the lead, look out for Rodgers’ health.
Pick: Arizona 34, Green Bay 20