The Green Bay Packers return home in Week 6 to host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. With both teams coming off of a win, this is an important week to keep the momentum going. The Packers enter this matchup 3-2 while the Cardinals are looking to even their 2-3 record.
We’re entering a very important stretch of games in the first half of this season, and with the NFC North being the toughest division in football, putting a 4 in the win column would keep the Packers right where they need to be.
Here are 3 things to watch in the Packers vs. Cardinals Week 6 matchup in Green Bay:
X Marks The Spot
Tucker Kraft said it best while mic’d up last week in Los Angeles…
Xavier McKinney has played 5 games for the Packers, he has 5 interceptions. Leading the league in INTs, McKinney has proven to be worth every penny of his four-year, $67 million contract that included a $23 million signing bonus. He is already entering the conversation of one of the best free-agent signings in Green Bay history.
“We all knew he was a good player, but I think the way he’s going out there and playing and getting these takeaways every game, I think no one could see it coming,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. Add in a fumble recovery and X is responsible for 6 of the Packers’ league-leading 14 total takeaways.
Kyler Murray has thrown 2 INTs in the last three weeks. Keep an eye on McKinney in that ball-hawk role looking for yet another takeaway against the Cardinals passing attack.
Contain Kyler Murray
Jeff Hafley and the Packers’ defense has already had to deal with two of the most mobile QBs in the NFL in Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson. Now they have to deal with the headache that is Kyler Murray. Murray ran for a 50-yard TD for the Cardinals’ first TD in last week’s win over the 49ers. According to NFL NextGen Stats, he hit 21.27 mph on the run, which is the fastest speed recorded for a QB over the past eight seasons.
The defense will have their hands full trying to contain Murray while keeping James Conner and rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. under wraps. The Packers will need to be disciplined and keep an eye on Kyler Murray at all times. This is not an offense you can afford to take a play off against.
Packers’ Air Attack
Five weeks into the season and the Arizona Cardinals have one of the worst pass rushes in the league. They do not have that game-wrecker on that level of their defense and as a unit, are struggling to get any pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. They are ranked last in the league in Pass Rush Win Rate at 26%.
The Packers offensive line comes in to this matchup ranked at the top of the list in terms of pass protection.
Expect Jordan Love to have a clean pocket and enough time to find the open receiver. With Doubs returning to action, the Packers offense will have plenty of weapons at LaFleur’s disposal. If the line can keep Love clean, and the receivers can eliminate some of the drops, I would expect a big day from Green Bay’s air attack.
Prediction: Packers 31, Cardinals 21
People might be overlooking this matchup but this could be a sleeper for game of the week. Two teams looking to put together a run of wins and get their offenses rolling sets up for a treat on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. I think the Packers defense continues to make plays on the ball and forces at least one major turnover that gives the Packers the momentum they need to leave Week 6 with a W. Look for Jordan Love to have a clean game, spreading the ball around while mixing in a couple big 3rd down conversions.
