The Green Bay Packers will not be at full strength when they take the field on Thursday. Not only will they not have their defensive coordinator Joe Barry after he tested positive for COVID-19, but star wide receiver Davante Adams is also a long shot to play while on the COVID-19 reserve list. Arizona will be the clear favorites as the Packers travel to play an undefeated Cardinals team. However, with Aaron Rodgers available and playing at a high level, Green Bay will always have a chance.
Arizona enters Week 8 with a top 10 offense and defense. They are loaded with veteran and young talent on both sides of the ball, with plenty of playmakers to create havoc. With a win already over the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals have a chance to add another signature win to their 2021 resume.
Meanwhile, this is a good opportunity for the Packers to show that they can compete with the class of the NFC. The odds are stacked against them as former defensive coordinator Jerry Gray will replace Barry as the play-caller. Gray will try to lead a banged-up defense that has managed to get by without their top corner and edge rusher. Offensively, Green Bay is expected to be without Adams and left tackle David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari returned to practice last week, but the team will take it slow as he nears the end of his recovery from an ACL injury.
Even with four All-Pros expected to be out of the lineup for the Packers, there are still some intriguing matchups to keep an eye on.