The Green Bay Packers are back at home this week for a Week 6 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Packers are hoping to build off last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams after coming back from a halftime deficit. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are also looking to keep up their momentum on the heels of a big divisional victory against the San Francisco 49ers.
Arizona hasn’t been to the postseason since 2021, which is also the last time they faced Green Bay. Packers fans will remember that game for Rasul Douglas’ game-clinching interception in the final seconds.
Three years later, the Cardinals are still led by quarterback Kyler Murray, who is starting to look like the Kyler Murray of old. Green Bay’s defense must be on their toes if they hope to contain Murray’s dual-threat ability.
Offensively, this is a good matchup for the Packers, as they are about to face the 27th-ranked scoring defense. Jordan Love and company should have no issues putting up points on Sunday as long as they don’t shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and missed opportunities.
Here are three key matchups that will go a long way toward determining the outcome between these two NFC teams with playoff aspirations.
Packers’ containment vs. QB Kyler Murray
After missing most of last season while recovering from a torn ACL, Murray appears to have gained all of his mobility back. He is currently rushing for 49.4 yards per game, which is the most he has averaged since his first Pro Bowl season in 2020. Murray rushed for a season-high 83 yards on seven attempts against the 49ers, including a 50-yard touchdown on their first possession. Green Bay has already faced a pair of mobile quarterbacks this season in Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson. By playing more QB contain, they were able to hold both to under 40 rushing yards. Limiting the damage Murray can do as a runner will likely be a point of emphasis again this week.
RB Josh Jacobs vs. Arizona’s run defense
It’s expected to be a rainy day at Lambeau Field on Sunday, which could mean a heavy workload for the home team’s lead back. Jacobs scored his first touchdown as a Packer last week and could be in for a big day against a vulnerable Cardinals run defense. Arizona is allowing 4.6 yards per carry this season and 147.8 rushing yards per game. Matt LaFleur loves to air it out, but this may be the week to play it safe in questionable conditions and lean on the ground game. I’m expecting a bounce-back week for Jacobs, who has been averaging only 55.7 yards per game over the past three weeks.
LB Edgerrin Cooper vs. RB James Conner
My eyes will be glued to Green Bay’s rookie linebacker who has seen his snap count steadily increase over the past few weeks. Last week in LA, Cooper had his most productive outing to date despite playing only 38 percent of the defensive snaps, finishing with five tackles, a sack, and two QB hits. This week, Cooper could see his role expand even more, given Murray’s mobility and Arizona’s run game leaning on an ultra-reliable veteran in Conner. Currently sitting at 379 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, Conner appears to be aging like fine wine at age 29. The Packers need to have an answer for the Cardinals’ rushing attack and something tells me that Cooper will play a key role.