Cardinals Put Unbeaten Record On Line Vs Packers

First place in the NFC is up for grabs Thursday when Arizona (7-0 SU, 6-1 ATS) hosts the Packers (6-1, 6-1) in a prime-time showdown. The Cardinals opened as 3.5-point favorites but Green Bay has won nine straight under the lights.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Arizona was steamed to a 6-point favorite at many sportsbooks Monday afternoon once news broke that the Packers might be without several players and coaches due to positive COVID-19 tests. The total had also dropped a bit to 51 by the time of writing.

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Green Bay News & Notes

Injuries to several key starters haven’t stopped the Packers from a 6-1 SU and ATS start, but they could be even more short-handed when they take the field against Arizona.

A few hours before the time of writing Monday night, star wide receiver Davante Adams and defensive coordinator Joe Barry had both tested positive for COVID-19, putting their availability for Thursday’s contest in jeopardy.

Adams’ potential absence would particularly be a big blow for a Green Bay offense that has already had to play its past four games without wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling, although Valdes-Scantling might be able to return from his hamstring injury to face the Cardinals. Adams leads the team with 744 receiving yards, while no other Green Bay player has more than 200.

The Packers gained just 304 total yards last week against Washington but still managed to cover the spread as 7.5-point favorites thanks to a defense that bent but did not break.

Green Bay held its opponent scoreless on three separate trips inside the 10-yard line, stopping Washington twice on downs and intercepting a pass in the end zone. The 24-10 final marked the fourth straight game Green Bay has gone UNDER the total.

Arizona News & Notes

Judging by his debut last week, tight end Zach Ertz won’t have much difficulty fitting into Arizona’s high-octane offense. Just over a week after being acquired from Philadelphia, Ertz caught three passes for a team-high 66 yards in a 31-5 win over Houston, including a 47-yard touchdown reception that was the longest scoring play of his nine-year career.

“I’ve never seen so much green grass in the middle of the field,” Ertz told the Associated Press after the game, crediting the presence of star receivers DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green for all of that open space.

Hopkins might not be at his best this week, however, after suffering a mild hamstring injury against the Texans. Linebacker J.J. Watt (shoulder) was also banged up against Houston, although Watt and Hopkins are likely to suit up vs Green Bay.

How Green Bay Will Cover

Aaron Rodgers always seems to find a way to get it done for the Packers under the lights, leading Green Bay to a 9-0 SU and 8-1 ATS record in its last nine prime-time contests. As long as No. 12 is under center for the Packers, Green Bay has a shot at staying inside this inflated number.

How Arizona Will Cover

As good as Kyler Murray and the offense has been, Arizona’s defense has allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL this season. If the Cardinals can open up a comfortable lead, Rodgers and the short-handed Packers should have trouble coming back against Arizona’s third-ranked secondary.

Computer Pick: Cardinals -6

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