Week 8 in the NFL kicks off Thursday night with a premier matchup between two division leaders that are well on their way to the postseason. The Green Bay Packers (6-1) take on the Arizona Cardinals (7-0) on the road. Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium. Below, we look at the Packers vs. Cardinals odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Packers have won six straight games after a 38-3 drubbing in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. QB Aaron Rodgers is playing at his usual high level, although his production is a bit below what he did as league MVP in 2020. He has 1,710 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes and three interceptions in seven games so far. Green Bay’s offense is in the middle of the pack in the league, averaging 24.0 points per game, while the defense is a top-10 unit.
The Cardinals have been the best team in the NFL. They are the only undefeated team in the league and have blown out three playoff teams from last season, all on the road. They are fourth in the league in scoring and, on the other side of the ball, first in points allowed, third-down defense and fourth-down defense. QB Kyler Murray has 17 touchdown passes and three rushing touchdowns through seven games.
Packers at Cardinals odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Packers +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Cardinals -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Packers +6.5 (-112) | Cardinals -6.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Packers at Cardinals key injuries
Packers
- WR Davante Adams (COVID list) doubtful
- WR Allen Lazard (COVID list) out
- CB Kevin King (shoulder, back) questionable
- LB Preston Smith (ankle) questionable
Cardinals
- DE J.J. Watt (shoulder) out
- DT Rashard Lawrence (calf) questionable
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Packers at Cardinals odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Cardinals 31, Packers 20
Money line
It hasn’t mattered whom the Cardinals have faced this season. The better the opponent, the better the game. They have scored over 30 points in six of seven games. They have allowed 20 or fewer points in six of seven games.
Green Bay is missing their top two receivers and their left tackle. Yes, the Cardinals will be without DE J.J. Watt, but OLB Chandler Jones returns to the lineup with his five sacks to join OLB Markus Golden, who has four sacks in his last two games.
The Packers don’t have the defense to shut down the Cardinals’ offense and, without Adams, they lack the firepower to keep up offensively.
Take the CARDINALS (-270).
Against the spread
Before the news that Adams and then Lazard would be out, I had this game being close. However, this actually has the potential for the Packers to go off the rails like in Week 1.
The Cardinals are 5-1 ATS on the season and have beaten the three opponents who were in the playoffs last season by an average of 21.7 points, and all three of those games were on the road.
Take the CARDINALS -6.5 (-108).
Over/Under
Only three of the Cardinals’ seven games and only two of the Packers’ have gone Over projected total this season.
However, we can bank on at least 30 points for the Cardinals, so it is a matter of Green Bay’s offensive output.
I think there is a chance they get shut down, but I just don’t see Rodgers letting that happen a second time this season.
I LEAN OVER 49.5 (-115).
Also see: All Week 8 odds and lines
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