The Green Bay Packers will face the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field on Sunday. While in the NFC, the Cardinals qualify as an uncommon opponent — the Packers have only played Arizona once since Matt LaFleur was hired in 2019.
The lone matchup came when the Packers upset the Cardinals in Arizona midway through the 2021 season.
Are the Cardinals capable of returning the favor on Sunday?
To help preview Packers-Cardinals, we asked five questions of Cards Wire managing editor Jess Root. Here’s the Q&A:
1. The Cardinals have been so up and down. What’s the root cause of the inconsistency?
Cards Wire: They haven’t been consistent on offense or defense. Offensively, they are successful if James Conner can run the ball. Defensively, it is when they can play the run decently well. I honestly don’t know what to think about their defense. They have been awful and then they shut out two of the best teams in the conference for a half each.
2. What kind of season is Kyler Murray having so far?
Cards Wire: It has been solid. He is not playing at the same level we saw in the first half of 2021 but it is approaching that. He has used his legs to make plays as a runner and a passer. He has had a few plays that only he can make. But he has not been particularly productive in the passing game. He takes good care of the football in general.
3. Who should Jordan Love and the Packers fear on the Cardinals defense?
Cards Wire: They have to account for Budda Baker, who will blow up plays. Teams rarely throw his way anymore and often go out of their way to make sure he is blocked, which frees up other players. The Cardinals’ two starting inside linebackers, Kyzir White and Mack Wilson, are playmakers against the run, and Wilson will also get after the quarterback.
4. Are the Cardinals capable of explosive plays on offense?
Cards Wire: Absolutely. James Conner, Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. are the biggest playmakers. Tight end Trey McBride can do it. And we saw it in the first quarter against the 49ers. Murray took off for a 50-yard touchdown run and knew just after clearing the front seven that he was going to score. They are a more methodical offense but they can break off a play or two.
5. The Cardinals win if…? The Packers win if…?
Cards Wire: The Cardinals will win if they are able to control the ball offensively, not turn the ball over and get a takeaway. The Packers will win if they let Xavier McKinney get another takeaway, don’t slow Josh Jacobs and look the way they did against Washington defensively. They also can’t really afford to fall behind by double digits like they did against the Niners.