Preview: Green Bay Packers at Cardinals
by Brandon on Jan 1, 2010 10:33 PM CST
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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PrintThis game could be a preview of the Green Bay Packers' first playoff game, which will likely include a return trip to Arizona. This is their 2nd matchup of 2009, the Packers defeated the Cardinals by a score of 44-37 during the preseason, but that was the preseason. And most of the damage in that game was done by QB Matt Leinart. Though that might be the case again this week as neither team has a lot to play for.
The Cardinals could still end up with the 2nd seed and a bye week, but the desire to rest WR Larry Fitzgerald and help QB Kurt Warner avoid any future concussions might outweigh that benefit. I don't see how playing for the 5th or 6th seed, with no possibility of a bye week and a road game either way, can benefit the Packers. Especially since we don't even know who they'll be playing.
The official rankings, based on yardage, from NFL.com:
| Team | Run Offense | Pass Offense | Run Defense | Pass Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 14 | 8 | 1 | 10 |
| Cardinals | 26 | 10 | 18 | 22 |
Both teams should be able to throw against each other, but while the Packers can run against the Cardinals, it doesn't look like the Cardinals will have much success running against the Packers' No. 1 ranked run defense.
This is assuming both teams will play their starters. Ken Whisenhunt admitted the outcome of the Giants at Vikings game will have an impact whether he benches his starters. Mike McCarthy wouldn't say, and he said he would treat this week just like the first 15 games. Though Greg Bedard noted that McCarthy benched seven starters in the final regular season game before the 2007 playoffs despite avoiding the question earlier that week. Since NFL.com is running news stories on their front page speculating about how much playing time backup QB Matt Flynn will get on Sunday, it's a safe bet to assume that the Packers intend to bench at least some starters early in the game.
Usually I try and predict the score, but I've got no idea if it turns out to be a glorified preseason game. I'll just pick the Packers to win.
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I think the smart move would be to bench Aaron and most starters early to avoid injuries
The GB QB has taken a lot of shots this year due to poor blocking – why take a chance on him getting hurt before the playoffs ?
Plus AZ does not need any more film because these teams will play again in 6 days when it matters
But if they play I do not mind since I have Rodgers on 9 FF teams – number 1 ranked FF QB this year !
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Just trying to figure out
who we are supposed to replace starters with on defense???……… I mean, we are already using the back ups in the secondary. Chillar is out and we already rotate LB’s and DL’s anyway. I mean seriously, we are already down to using Bush, underwood and Bell -- those would be back ups’s and special teamers. So I really just have to smile about the whole “resting our starters” thing. Offense is a different story, we can rest people there Rodgers, clifton, tausher etc… but from everything I have heard from the press conferences of MM and the players it sounds like they are playing ( unless they get a big fat lead) . 2007 was completly different. We were already seeded, we had HE who’s name shall not be mentioned and the whole starter vs rotation situation worked much differently. I AM NOT AN EXPERT OR A SPORTS WRITER, just my opinion. I forgot to tell everyone HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I just hope Rodgers throws a couple TDs before they pull him—I’m in the championship, and I need the points.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
I wouldn’t start Rodgers if I was you. I’d pickup a quarterback who you can be sure will play the whole game.
Rodgers said on some late night program on Channel 4...
that he would play the whole game. He mentioned that teams who are wild cards (Giants/Steelers) of years past used their last games as momentum in the playoffs. I don’t know though, he could just be saying that.
The show also had Brandon Jackson on. The one thing that the said about him was that he was picking up blitzes nicely. They showed some nice pickups and boy did that surprise me. That part of his game goes underappreciated.
Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge
by Bush League All Star on Jan 2, 2010 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
Just send no one
except the kicker for ST plays. It couldn’t exactly hurt, right…? ;-)
Both Jackson and Johnson are exceptional blockers
I expect to see a lot of both of them today.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Going to be unable to watch.
My parents have DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket, but I won’t be able to go to their house due to a NASTY snowstorm here in Vermont. It’s already dumped about six inches on us here, and it’s supposed to snow all day tomorrow, too.
My local FOX channel is showing Giants-Vikings at 1 PM, and Eagles-Cowboys at 4 PM.
I guess my fellow APC’ers will be my news source for the Packers-Cardinals game tomorrow.
Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jan 2, 2010 7:12 PM CST reply actions
Pulling starters
I don’t see the Pack pulling any body early because you just do not want to mess with the flow of the game or the offense just one week from the start of the playoffs.
packer wannabe http://maxsportsplus.com
So what
early game do you recommend watching, anyone?
Giants playing spoiler
And knocking the reeling Vikings out of a first-round bye.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
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