The Cardinals defense finished the regular season ranked fifth in terms of yards allowed per game, and safety Deon Bucannon will try to disrupt Green Bay’s offensive game plan.
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It was an afternoon the Packers would rather forget.
Arizona had surrendered just 11.8 points per game over its previous five games, but enter Saturday night’s Packers vs. Cardinals betting matchup at University of Phoenix Stadium with just one win against the spread in its past six home contests.
“The Cardinals are a solid, balanced team and it will not be easy for anyone to beat them”, said Mike Ditka, ESPN analyst.
Left tackle David Bakhtiari is probable, while corners Sam Shields and Quinten Rollins are questionable.
Fitzgerald turned a short pass into a 75-yard gain on the first play of overtime to set up the winning score.
That’s thanks to Carson Palmer, the Cardinals quarterback, who has led the team to a 13-3 record.
The numbers tell us Palmer is a sure-fire MVP candidate while Rodgers didn’t look like his old self.
The rookie was promoted from Green Bay’s practice squad to the active roster on Friday, a move in conjunction with the team putting tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve.
That is the streak the Packers hope to break Saturday.
The big perception around the Green Bay Packers during this week in the run-up to the NFC Divisional Playoff in Arizona? “It’s a one-and-done mentality and the focus goes up and the intensity goes up”.
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They now get to host the Green Bay Packers, coming off a 35-18 win over the Washington Redskins in the wild card round. Before that, they blew us out, Rodgers said. After the Packers staged an incredible rally to force overtime, the Cardinals won the coin toss – on the second try, after the coin failed to flip the first time – and took the ball. On the next snap, a slant pass intended for Fitzgerald was deflected by Randall, and Floyd caught the deflection in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. They’re the Super Bowl favorites and obviously the favorite team on Saturday night. There is always one boneheaded throw he makes per game. Palmer has also only thrown 11 interceptions on the year, the lowest in his career when he has played a full season.
