Cardinals vs. Packers: Five Packers To Watch

It’s another week of the walking wounded for the Packers. It’s also another week of the Packers facing off against a weakened opponent. So that means another week of highlighting the replacement players stepping up to make a difference for the Packers this week.

DE C.J. Wilson - For a while Wilson was quietly putting together an impressive season. He got two sacks in two weeks and was stout against the run. That’s more than anyone expected out of him. The problem is that he disappeared last week and was eaten up by the woeful line of the Jaguars. As it turns out the Cardinals offensive line may actually be worse which gives Wilson another chance to turn heads. Add in the fact that he is one of the few defensive linemen totally healthy and it’s an even bigger chance for Wilson to make a name for himself this week.

S Morgan Burnett – Burnett was the man who stepped up last week. He filled in the void of Charles Woodson as a blitzer and a playmaker for the defense. More importantly though he displayed the most leadership he ever had here in Green Bay. This week he will be put to the test with a more potent passing attack brought to town by the Cardinals. Can Burnett step up his game to help stop Larry Fitzgerald & Company?

S M.D. Jennings – Jennings was not bad against the Jaguars. He did not shine, but he wasn’t a liability. Now with Jerron McMillian questionable for Sunday Jennings is going to have to hold things together for a full game. Jennings is a player who was hyped early in the offseason and then disappeared quickly. A good game today can help him get back on the radar of Packer fans and perhaps get his name back in the starters spot for the long term future of the team.

WR Randall Cobb – It’s another week where Cobb and James Jones have to carry the load on offense. The problem is that they are going against a better secondary than last week led by budding superstar Patrick Peterson. If Cobb really is going to be the Greg Jennings of the future for the Packers he is going to need to show that he can be the focal point for the offense. With Jordy Nelson questionable again, there is no time like the present to make that point.

RB James Starks – No one on this team has fallen faster or harder than Starks over the last eight months. Over the summer he was thought of as the unquestioned starter and hope for the Packers run game. Now it takes mounting injuries for him to even get one snap on the field. This is going to be another week where the Packers are going to want to run the ball, and with Alex Green struggling, Starks may be the Packers last shot to do so in this game. If he can turn it on then his season may just take on new life. A bad performance and the writing may be on the wall for this former hero of the post season.