The 3-1-1 Packers travel to Arizona on Sunday to take on the 2-4 Cardinals. Week 7 predictions and injury updates for the Green Bay Packers are here.

Last week against the Bengals, the Packers once again failed to operate consistently within all phases. The Packers allowed the Bengals to hang around longer than they should have.

The 27-18 victory did not feel like a good win. This team has still struggled to find their rhythm. Despite the inconsistencies, Green Bay is first in the NFC North right now, and second overall in the NFC standings.

So, how can the Packers continue to find ways to win?

Offense

The Packers were carried last Sunday by performances from running back Josh Jacobs and a few spectacular catches by rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden.

Josh Jacobs had his “flu” game, as it was later released that he was vomiting before and during the game. Despite the illness, Jacobs had his best performance this season so far.

Jacobs carried the ball 18 times for 93 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He even found the endzone twice. An outstanding performance overall.

Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden also had his best game as a Packer so far this season last Sunday. Golden grabbed three catches for 86 yards, averaging 28.7 yards per catch. The rookie showed up when it really mattered.

Jordan Love on the rookie’s performance last week “I think he (Golden) made some big time plays today. I think he’s a guy we’re going to keep trying to get going and find ways to get him the ball.”

The offense still struggled with remaining consistent throughout the game but shined in the fourth quarter when the game got too close for comfort.

Jordan Love threw completed 19 of his 26 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The interception came on the first drive of the game and was a questionable throw.

Love has still remained extremely consistent and has delivered some wow throws (see video above of Love to Golden). His ability to scramble been huge this season. His touchdown pass Sunday was to tight end Tucker Kraft, another play who needs to stay involved.

Overall, a balance between Jacobs and his tough runs, and spreading the ball around (preferably to Matthew Golden) can absolutely win the Packers the game on Sunday. A full four quarters of efficiency on offense can without a doubt win the Packers the game on Sunday.

Defense

Another week of football, another week of watching Micah Parsons get put in a chokehold on defense. The defense itself has been put in a chokehold by its opponents so far this season, predominantly in the fourth quarter.

There is a noticeable trend within Jeff Hafley’s defense this year. The Packers enter the game looking unstoppable on defense. Green Bay hasn’t allowed a single point in the first quarter so far this season.

The fourth quarter? Much different story. The Packers have allowed 60 points total in the fourth quarter across their five games played so far this season. Night and day difference compared to the defense we see in the first quarter.

The Cardinals are a very injured team, but anything can happen on any given Sunday. It is never too early to find out why the defense is struggling so badly in the fourth quarter.

The defense held the Bengals to zero points in the first half. The Bengals found the endzone once in the third quarter and then scored 11 points in the fourth.

A cleaner fourth quarter going forward will allow this team to actually feel like they have won the game early. Letting the opponent hang around is not a characteristic of a contender.

Injury Updates

The Packers will be thin again at pass rush this weekend. DL Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt are both out for Sunday’s game against Arizona.

Christian Watson practiced this week but was ruled out. It seems he is getting closer and closer to a return, but this week won’t be it.

Prediction

The Cardinals are an extremely injured team at the moment. Quarterback Kyler Murray might not even play Sunday. As always, anything can happen any given Sunday, but I think Green Bay takes care of business Sunday.

Packers 34 – Cardinals 17