Cardinals at Packers -- Week 9
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Packers by 7.5
Forecast: Sunny, mid-40s, slight chance of rain
Records: Packers (Overall: 5-3, NFC North: 1-0); Cardinals (Overall: 4-4, NFC West: 1-2)
Past results: Recent meetings -- These teams haven't met since January 2010, when they played in back-to-back weeks, first in the final game of the regular season and then in the first round of the playoffs ... Jan 10, 2010: Cardinals 51, Packers 45; Jan. 3, 2010: Packers 33, Cardinals 7. Series record: The Packers hold a 44-23-4 edge in the all-time series, including each of the previous six meetings at home.
What matters: The Cardinals are a shell of their former selves, and now they have to handle the powerful Packers? In the topsy-turvy world of the NFL, that's what you call piling on. One minute Arizona is 4-0. The next, it's 0-4 and staring at 0-6, with two games in three weeks at Green Bay and Atlanta. With the running game's disappearing act and pass protection at a premium, the Cardinals are going to have to dig deep. And the defense will have to dig in against one of the game's premiere passing offenses.
Who matters: CB Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals' all-world cornerback has come back down to earth, and opposing quarterbacks are noticing. 49ers QB Alex Smith picked on Peterson with Michael Crabtree, and the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and a rotating cast of targets. Green Bay's passing game isn't at the prolific pace it was last year, but Rodgers still has 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. Video game numbers.
Key matchups: Cardinals offensive line vs. Green Bay pass rush. There were times last week against the 49ers when John Skelton had just enough time to throw, and he did just enough to get it there. And it worked, just enough. Now, granted, it hasn't happened enough, but if it does happen enough, the Cardinals will have a shot.
Injuries of note: G Adam Snyder (quad) remains out for the Cardinals, and his absence is a big one. TE Todd Heap (knee), S Kerry Rhodes (knee) and CB Greg Toler (hamstring) all were limited participants in practice this week, but any of one them would be a big return.
Inside stuff: LaRod Stephens-Howling, you've got about a month. The running back's short-term audition appears to have a few weeks left, but he'll need to prove more than he did on Sunday against the 49ers, when he had just eight attempts for six yards.
Connections: Arizona LB Paris Lenon played for the Packers for four years from 2001-05, including a one-year stint alongside Aaron Rodgers during Rodgers' rookie season.
Stats you should know: The Cardinals' red zone woes are striking. As Josh Weinfuss of AZCardinals.com points out, Arizona allowed just three touchdowns and six field goals in its 4-0 start, but seven touchdowns and one field goal in the last four games.
Looking ahead: Arizona gets a very much needed bye week to rest and prepare for the Atlanta Falcons, who sport another brilliant passing game with Matt Ryan throwing to Roddy White and Julio Jones.
Prediction: Packers 34, Cardinals 13
For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Jon Gold, follow @CBSCardinals on Twitter.