Cardinals try to snap 4-game losing streak when they host Packers
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Green Bay (3-1-1) at Arizona (2-4)
Day/Time /TV: Sunday, 3:25 p.m., CDT, FOX
Series record: Packers lead 47-26-4.
Last week: Packers beat Bengals 27-18; Colts beat Cardinals 31-27.
Last meeting: Packers beat Cardinals 34-13 on Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay.
Packers offense: overall (9), rush (12), pass (10), scoring (8).
Packers defense: overall (5), rush (1), pass (11), scoring (10).
Cardinals offense: overall (22), rush (17), pass (24), scoring (20T).
Cardinals defense: overall (24), rush (13), pass (28), scoring (14).
Turnover differential: Packers minus-1; Cardinals plus-1.
The Arizona Cardinals are in the midst of a four-game losing streak like few others in NFL history. The Cardinals (2-4) have lost those four contests by a combined nine points and the first three setbacks all came on last-second field goals — the first time that’s happened in NFL history. Now Arizona has to try to find answers in Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers, who have looked like one of the league’s better teams. “You take emotion out of it and you solve problems,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “You have to find solutions. You have to have a steady mind to do that. I think our guys are trained that way, our coaches are. “If you want to turn it around with a lot of ball left here — we’re mid-October — you have to find solutions and you have to play better.”
The Packers (3-1-1) are coming off a 27-18 win over the Bengals. Green Bay hasn’t won on the road this season, falling to the Browns 13-10 on Sept. 21 and tying the Cowboys 40-40 on Sept. 28. Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 259 yards against the Bengals, helping Green Bay score 17 points in the fourth quarter to hang on for the win at Lambeau Field. Now they’re ready to close a game on the road. “It’s something we’re going to have to find a way to get past,” Love said. “Like you said, we haven’t won yet. An ‘L’ and a tie. We’ve got to find a way to go out there and be our best on the road and get over that hump.”
Lack of turnovers
Green Bay forced three turnovers in its 34-13 victory over Arizona last year and finished that season with 31 takeaways to rank fourth in the league. The Packers haven’t been nearly as effective taking the ball away so far this year. They have only two takeaways all season. “We put more focus on turnovers this year than I’ve probably ever had in my career,” Packers safety Evan Williams said. “For them not to show up, just proves that sometimes it’s just a random thing. It doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with your process that you’re not getting turnovers. Sometimes the opportunities aren’t (there), or maybe the offense is being taught during the week to really cradle that ball.”
QB shuffle
Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett played well in place of the injured Kyler Murray last week, completing 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the 31-27 loss to the Colts. Murray (foot) has been limited in practice this week, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Brissett gets his second start of the season on Sunday. The 6-foot-4 Brissett doesn’t have Murray’s uncanny ability to scramble out of trouble, but showed a willingness against the Colts to stand in the pocket and deliver balls downfield. “Obviously, we tailored a little bit of the scheme going into this week with the possibility of Jacoby starting, I would say,” Gannon said. “I thought it was a good job by (offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing) and his staff to make sure that we’re putting, just like all our guys, Jacoby in spots that he does well with.” Brissett’s performance was even more impressive considering the Cardinals were without top receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) for more than half of the game. Harrison has been limited in practice this week ahead of Sunday’s game.
Kicking concerns
Packers kicker Brandon McManus didn’t play against the Bengals due to a quadriceps injury that also kept him from practicing early this week. The Packers have reason to feel good about their backup plan if McManus can’t play. Lucas Havrisik filled in for McManus against Cincinnati and went 2 of 2 on field-goal attempts with kicks from 43 and 39 yards away.
Clutch defense
Arizona’s defense has been a strength over the first three quarters of games this season. The fourth quarter has been a different story. Arizona had a 24-17 lead entering the fourth quarter against the Colts, but gave up two touchdowns down the stretch, surrendering more than nine yards per play. The Cardinals’ defense also coughed up a 21-6 fourth-quarter lead against the Titans in Week 5. “The last touchdown they put on the board, we have to do a better job there,” Gannon said. “We’re all trying to find solutions together because you have to keep points off the board there.”
Parsons sounds off
Green Bay’s Micah Parsons has six quarterback pressures per game to tie Pittsburgh’s Nick Herbig for the NFL lead, according to Next Gen Stats. But he’s only been credited with 2½ sacks so far this season. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said this week that opponents have been getting away with some “egregious” holds against Parsons. For his part, Parsons said he believes there are about two or three of those egregious examples per game as he discussed his belief there’s a double standard in officiating to reward offense. “They don’t call offside for offense, but they call it on defense,” Parsons said. “They won’t call offensive pass interference, but they’ll call defensive pass interference. We know what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to load the points up so fans can be happy. They’ll call defensive holding, but they won’t call offensive holding. Let’s just wake up. It’s one of those things like we know what the higher-ups are trying to do.” Parsons said he got poked in the eye during the Packers’ victory over Cincinnati last week, causing him to change his facemask to protect himself midway through the game.
Packers player to watch
RB Josh Jacobs has rushed for two touchdowns and gained at least 150 yards from scrimmage in each of Green Bay’s past two games. He rushed for 93 yards on 18 carries and caught five passes for 57 yards against the Bengals despite dealing with an illness. Jacobs said after the game he had vomited on a couple of occasions during the game.
Cardinals player to watch
TE Trey McBride has been one of the few constants in an up-and-down season for the Cardinals’ offense. The fourth-year Colorado State product is on the way to another productive season with 37 catches with 347 yards and two touchdowns through six games.
Key matchup
The Cardinals have been a run-first team for much of third-year coach Jonathan Gannon’s tenure, but the Packers have the NFL’s best rushing defense. On top of that, Arizona’s top two running backs — James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) — are out with injuries.
Key injuries
Packers: DL Devonte Wyatt (knee) and K Brandon McManus (quadriceps) didn’t play against Cincinnati and didn’t practice Wednesday. DL Lukas Van Ness (foot) and OT Zach Tom (oblique/back) also didn’t practice Wednesday. WR Christian Watson has been practicing on a limited basis as he works his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. WR Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder) is on injured reserve and will miss a fourth straight game.
Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray (foot) and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) are part of a long injury list. Murray missed last week’s game. RB Emari Demercado (ankle) and WR Zay Jones (knee) were held out of Wednesday’s practice, which was a walkthrough. Rookie DL Walter Nolen III (calf) had his 21-day practice window opened in his return from the PUP list. He could be activated at any time over the next three weeks.
Series notes
The two teams have split the past 10 games going back to 2003. The first meeting in the series goes back to 1921, which is the second-oldest rivalry in NFL history.
Stats and stuff
The Packers have won their past 11 regular-season games against NFC West teams… Packers coach Matt LaFleur (70-34-1) has reached 70 career wins in the shortest amount of time by any coach since Bill Cowher also got his 70th win in his 105th game in 1998, according to the Elias Sports Bureau… The Packers are seeking their first road victory. They lost 13-10 at Cleveland and tied Dallas 40-40 in their first two road games… The Packers are outscoring teams 24-0 in the first quarter of games… The Packers are allowing a league-low 73 yards rushing per game… Packers CB Keisean Nixon has nine passes defensed to rank second in the NFL, behind Cincinnati’s D.J. Turner (11)… Packers DE Micah Parsons has six quarterback pressures per game according to Next Gen Stats to match Pittsburgh’s Nick Herbig for the highest average in the league… Lucas Havrisik probably would be Green Bay’s kicker on Sunday if McManus remains unavailable. Havrisik filled in for McManus against the Bengals and made both of his field-goal attempts, from 43 and 39 yards… The Packers are converting an NFL-leading 52.3% of their third downs… The Packers have forced only two takeaways all season… This is Arizona’s only home game in a span of 40 days from Oct. 6 to Nov. 15… All of Arizona’s six games this season have been decided by a touchdown or less. The team has lost four straight games by a combined nine points… LB Mack Wilson Sr. leads the team with 50 tackles… QB Jacoby Brissett started for the injured Murray in last week’s game vs. the Colts, completing 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. It was the fifth time in Brissett’s career he has thrown for at least 300 yards… McBride has at least five catches in eight straight games going back to last season… Edge rusher Josh Sweat has four sacks in three home games this season.
