Considering both the Packers and Cardinals are tied with the league lead in team sacks – 26 each – the sack masters, Clay Matthews included – could have an active day. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The staff here at Lombardiave.com take a stab at predicting the outcome of today’s Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals game.

While all the writers got away with a win last week in predicting the Packers vs. Jaguars, most of us were way off in predicting the final score – as was most of America.

So, without further adieu, take a peek at how we think things will go today:

Ray Rivard: Last week, most of us went into the Jaguars game thinking “the Packers are back home, they’re going against one of the worst teams on the planet, so this should be over midway through the first quarter.” Boy, were we wrong. We have to remember every National Football League team is made up of professionals whose only goal is to win. That will be the case when the Arizona Cardinals hit historic Lambeau Field today. This could be their Super Bowl. I feel Rodgers is going to struggle early on again today, especially if Jordy Nelson isn’t on the field. However, the Packers defense comes to play today and I feel will get at least three sacks on John Skelton. The Packers will somehow find a semblance of a running game and Rodgers heats up in the second half. Cobb has a big game, the special teams will make one more play than the Cardinals, and two players – James Starks and Jarrett Boykin – make significant contributions.

Packers hit the six-win mark and play better heading into the bye; Packers 28 Cardinals 13

Sept 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) drops a pass while guarded by San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson (38) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Jason Hirschhorn: The Packers looked less than elite in their week 8 win over the Jaguars, and the whole fanbase lost its collective mind. Let’s slow our roll here. The Packers took the lead with 3:02 left in the first quarter and never lost it. They won by two scores. This wasn’t a terrible performance, especially considering the circumstances (Jordy Nelson’s injury, first game without Charles Woodson, etc.).

The only real bad news entering week 9 is that Jordy Nelson still has not returned to practice. He’ll be a game-time decision, and there’s at least a 50% chance he misses another game. Nelson’s absence was the biggest reason I predicted a 24-13 win for Green Bay last week, but I’m not as concerned this time around. Randall Cobb and James Jones will be entering their second week of getting all the first team reps, and Cobb looks more and more like a player who can handle being the opposing defense’s number one priority.

The Packers will enter their bye week 6-3. Packers 28 – Cardinals 17

Dan Turczynski: The Cardinals are a dangerous team that the Packers must not overlook going in to the bye week next week. They have some players who can make Sunday a long day for the Packers’ defense, none more important than Larry Fitzgerald.

On the other hand the Cardinals can’t block anybody on offense and they just so happen to be playing against the Packers, who are number 1 in the NFL in sacks on defense. I think Clay Matthews has a big day, and the defense picks up another mediocre performance by the offense.

Pack win 24-13 to move to 6-3. 

Tim Thomas: After last week’s closer-than-expected win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Packers will be ready to come out and make a statement as they take on a decent Arizona Cardinals team.

The middle of the Packers offensive line will have the challenge of shutting down the Cardinals’ star defensive lineman, Calais Campbell. Aaron Rodgers may also still be without not only Greg Jennings but Jordy Nelson as Nelson is a game-time decision which will mean that Randall Cobb and James Jones will need to step up. Meanwhile, the Packers defense will need to make sure they shut down Larry Fitzgerald as Tramon Williams will most likely be the man assigned to cover him with support from the safeties.

Aug 16, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive back Casey Hayward. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Sam Shields is still out as Casey Hayward will once again be called on  to help shut down a solid Arizona receiving corps. Cardinals QB John Skelton has struggled and the Packers can definitely force some turnovers while Clay Matthews, BJ Raji, and company can force Skelton to rush some throws and make more mistakes.

The Packers will come out with a sense of urgency to avoid an upset which will help them beat the Cardinals.

Prediction: Packers 31, Cardinals 17

Jerry Bulone: This is not a good spot for the Packers. They come into this game pretty beat up and ready for the bye week, while the Cardinals are angry from getting embarrassed by a division rival and need the victory.

That being said, I just cannot picture John Skelton walking into Lambeau and beating Aaron Rodgers.

Packers 24, Cardinals 20

Oct 29, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton. Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Thomas Marquardt: This will be a challenge for the Packers offensive line considering Arizona is tied with the Packers for the lead in sacks. If Jordy Nelson doesn’t play. the offense will have to be creative. The good news is that  John ‘Red’ Skelton and Kevin Kolb have been sacked a combined 39 times thus far this season (10 more than any other team in the league), so I’ll expect a lot of pressure on whomever is behind center for the Cards.

I say Starks gives the running game a spark and Rodgers will move enough to make some plays on the go, while Clay Matthews et al. have a big day.

Packers 27 Cards 13  

 

Jonathan Schweitzer: The Packers thrive on continuity.  They like stable conditions, rhythm.  Many of the offenses’ hiccups this season can be traced to a lack of continuity.  Adjusting to a running back such as Cedric Benson took a good three games.  Of course they’ve now reverted back to the pre-Benson running philosophy.  Adjusting to life without Greg Jennings took some getting used to as well.  And now the Packers, who have gone one game without Jennings and counterpart Jordy Nelson, should be better off/more comfortable having had some time to adjust to an attack with James Jones and Randall Cobb as the featured receivers.  I think the offense gets back on track and if the defense can keep LaRod Stephens Howling from busting loose for big gains, the Packers have a good shot at a win.

Packers 30 Cardinals 17

 

The Detroit Lions will fall to 1-1 today when the fall to the San Francisco 49ers. Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

As we head into the full National Football League schedule – minus the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears – we take a look at the winners and losers from among all games today and tomorrow.

There will be some surprising outcomes, some not-so-surprising – but one thing is for certain – it should be another unrelentingly fun two days of football.

So, without further adieu, here are my picks for today and tomorrow’s game. Let me know if you think I’m right on or full of soup.

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills: Though the Chiefs get back their pass rushing master, Tamba Hali, I think the difference in this one will be the Bills’ defense. I think the Bills’ offense will do just enough to overcome a Chiefs team that doesn’t want to fall to 0-2. Bills 23 Chiefs 20

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers: Both of these teams come in at 0-1 – a surprise to many who felt both teams should have won last week. The Saints defense looked helpless last week against Robert Griffin III and the Redskins and the Panthers had no run game last week against Tampa Bay. I think Cam Newton relies more on the run game this week to get an opportunity to pass the ball. Carolina 27 New Orleans 23

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns: Wow! If there’s a sleeper game out there, this is it. The battle for Ohio doesn’t mean much to anyone else in the nation and when the Browns’ offense implodes in this one, not many will care. The Bengals will find a way to win this one, despite the tough Browns’ defense. Cincinnati 16 Cleveland 10

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder won’t be quite as effective today as he was last week. Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts: Ok, so I said the Bengals and Browns would be a sleeper … this one may top that game. Though watching Adrian Peterson run the ball is always exciting, I feel that, in his home opener, Andrew Luck will make everyone forget Peterson’s performance. I think both teams will score points in this one, but the Colts find a way to win … could even go to OT. Indianapolis 24 Minnesota 21

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars: Another mismatch here. Despite Maurice Jones-Drew getting back into the swing of things, this one won’t even be close. Behind Arian Foster, the Texans will run all over the Jaguars. Houston 38 Jacksonville 10

Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins: So, which team is worse? Both come in at 0-1 after terrible performances last week. I think the Dolphins’ rookie QB Ryan Tannehill is more successful this week and will help the Dolpins make a game of it. However, Oakland will somehow pull this one out behind Carson Palmer. Oakland 23 Miami 17

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots: Everyone got excited about the Cardinals’ come-from-behind win over the Seattle Seahawks last week – I wasn’t one of them. This one won’t even be close and the Cardinals will be embarrassed by what Tom Brady does to them. New England 44 Arizona 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants: This is one of the most intriguing match ups of the day. Can the Giants lose two in a row at home? Tampa Bay, which played a tough pressure defense against the Panthers last week and shut down Cam Newton think they can do it again. I don’t think so. I feel Eli Manning will show the world why they won the Super Bowl last year. New York Giants 28 Tampa Bay 17

Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles: This battle of the birds will come down to one thing – defense. I wasn’t surprised to see Michael Vick throw four interceptions to the Cleveland Browns last week and I won’t be surprised to see him repeat that performance again today against the Ravens. Both teams have tough defenses, but the Ravens will get more production on the ground and through the air in this one. Baltimore 27 Philadelphia 23

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks: The ‘Boys will show why they are 1-0 with their big opening night victory over the Giants in New York. Seattle won’t be in this one long as rookie Russell Wilson shows why he’s a rookie. In fact, don’t be surprised to see backup Matt Flynn hit the field at some point today. Dallas 32 Seattle 20

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is the real deal. Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams: Robert Griffin III showed last week that he probably should have been the number one pick in last April’s NFL draft by beating the Saints on the road. He gets his chance again at St. Louis and don’t be surprised to see him match last week’s performance against the upstart Rams who played well in a losing cause agains the Lions. Washington 27 St. Louis 16

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers aren’t the Bills and Mark Sanchez and the Jets will figure that out quickly today. Ben Roethlisberger will shine in this one and the New York media will be back bashing Rex Ryan when this one comes to an end. Pittsburgh 35 New York Jets 20

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers: Neither team has a running game. San Diego has the better quarterback. Because of that, I feel that if Philip Rivers can keep from throwing interceptions that he will lead his team to another win today. San Diego 23 Tennessee 13

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers: The Niners will show once again that it’s their defense that rules the roost. The Lions will show once again that they are an overrated group. This has been set up as the game of the week in the NFL and on paper I would agree. However, when pad hits pad today, it’s not even going to be close. Stafford gets picked off three times and the Niners’ running game goes wild. San Francisco 38 Lions 17

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons: Ok, here we go once more with the Peyton Manning hype. The thing is, there’s plenty of hype  surrounding the Falcons. Neither team is as good as most believe. Though the Falcons speed will be a factor in this one, the intangible will be Manning. If he can move his team, this one will be close – and I think that will be the case. Somehow, Manning will show some magic. Broncos 28 Falcons 24

So, there you have it, my best guesses on the games today and tomorrow.

Though it’s a Sunday without the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, it should still be a fun day of NFL action.

Get the popcorn ready.