Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) was all smiles after the Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-17 at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers 31-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals today was much needed.

Here are some of the early tweets after today’s win:

Green Bay Packer

Here’s a first look at photos from the#Packers 31-17 win over the #Cardinalstoday. http://pck.rs/Uaya3H 

Rodgers 14-30, but 4 TDs Passer rating 96.9

New from JS: Packers win, 31-17, take four-game winning streak into bye http://bit.ly/Vr7Xhg #packers

RT @MikeVandermause: MM: We had game going way we wanted in first half offensively. Could have helped ourselves in 2nd half.#Packers

New on CheeseheadTV: Gut Reactions: Week 9 http://bit.ly/WnyUUu  #Packers

RT @MikeVandermause: MM: Crabtree TD was huge play. Important for us to answer there. Picked up our sideline. #Packers

RT @MikeVandermause: Rodgers: Probably my best play of game was recovering fumble.#Packers

McCarthy-We have a lot of big games coming up, but the only one I’m focused on is the Detroit Lions #packers

Rodgers-We control our own destiny. We can make a run at the division title and that’s our first goal. We have to create some momentum

Ooh! First time I’ve wanted to actually watch 60 Minutes in a long time! #AaronRodgersInterview! #GoPackGo

@tcrabtree83 Happy Birthday and Happy Touchdown! #GoPackGo

RT @Desbishop55 For those of u who don’t know or have doubts, Starks is a beast!! If he stay healthy he’ll make OL happy to block for him

Rodgers: It’s always a grind. Put a lot of time in. I’m going to be real critical of this game, try to get better. I need to play better.

Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates a touchdown with fans during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

On the final play of the third quarter, a 72-yard TD pass to Tom Crabtree from Aaron Rodgers (his 4th TD of the day) broke open a game that was first dominated by the Packers, and then turned to the Cardinals before  Crabtree’s TD.

Crabtree’s catch and run down the middle of the field highlighted a Packers win that included a stout defense, great clock management and Randall Cobb.

The Packers second year player was the star in this game; He had 202 total yards today; he caught three passes for 37 yards, ran 2 times for 29 yards; “I’ve got to catch it … dropped a few today,” Cobb said after the game.

He did catch and run enough to help the Packers rush for over 100 yards for the first time in an eternity.

Aaron Rodgers’ pass completion percentage took a hit today, but he did throw for four touchdowns, completing 14 of 30 for 218 yards. He did throw one pick on a great pick by Randall Gay. However, it didn’t hurt the Packers and Rodgers performance was good enough for another win and send the team into the by with a 6-3 record, just a game behind the Bears in the standings.

In the last four games, Rodgers has 15 TD passes to just 1 interception.

The Green Bay Packers host the Arizona Cardinals today in what may be described as a “must-win” for both teams – but then every game is a must in the NFL.

The Packers look to show improvement in its run game and most importantly in the play of the offensive line. Consistency and ball control will be imperative for the Packers.

The Cardinals started this season with four straight wins, followed by four straight losses, including one to the Vikings. This is a team with no offense at this point of the year. Their offensive line is even worse than the Packers, having given up a league-leading 39 sacks in the first half of the season.

So, here we go with our weekly play-by-play account of this game:

Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers – Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Start time: Noon

Attendance: Sell-out

First half

Arizona wins the toss

Mason Crosby kicks off to 5. Powell with return to 16.

First and 10 two yard pass to tight end Jeff King

Second and 8 from 18 Skelton throws down right sideline … one-handed by Larry Fitzgerald, but out of bounds

Thrid and 8 Mike Neal gets the sack on Skelton. Beats Daryn Colledge, former Packer left guard

Punt to the 50, Cobb 28-yard return on the punt to the Cardinals 20

First and 10 Rodgers sacked under a pile of Cards. Calais Campbell gets credit for sack

Second and 20, Starks slips on run wide ride, but gets up and picks up four

Third and 16 from the Cardinals 26 Rodgers scrambles left, throws a dart to Randall Cobb, but just out of his reach

Crosby 44 FG – MISSES LEFT

Packers drive: 3 plays, -6 yards

Cardinals second possession

First and 10, Lerod Stephens-Howling for 1

Second and 9 from their own 35, Skelton throws quick out to Howling for first down

First and 10 from 49, Howling for 5

Second and 5 from Packers 46, Skelton pass dropped by TE Housler

Third and 5, Pass to left sideline to Fitzgerald dropped.

Fourth and 5, punt to Cobb fair catch to Packers 16

Packers second possession

First and 10 from own 16 Rodgers in shotgun inside handoff to Alex Green for 3

Second and 7, pass to James Jones over the middle for 8

First and 10 packers in no huddle Rodgers runs up the middle for 25 yards

First and 10 from Cards 47, Rodgers in gun, quick pass to Jermichael Finley for six

Second and 4, in gun Rodgers hands off to Green over left tackle and rips off 21 yards. Jones with nice block, Green with nice stiff-arm

First and 10, Rodgers runs and slides for three yards

Second and 8 from Cards attempted screen incomplete

Third and 8 Rodgers dances around great coverage, Rodgers goes through entire progression and then runs for 11

First and goal, Rodgers scrambles left, nobody open, starts to run, but tackled at line of scrimmage

Second and goal from 8, Rodgers to Jordy Nelson, but Nelson hurt on catch, limps off field – Cardinals challenge catch – to add insult, the ruling on the field of a catch is overruled.

Third and goal, false start on Finley

Third and goal from the 13, quick hitter pass from Rodgers to Randall Cobb over the middle and he runs through the Arizona defense aided by a great block by Donald Driver. Cobb’s fifth TD of the season

Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards in 4:49

Packers 7 Cardinals 0

Cardinals third possession

Crosby kicks off to Cards – touchback

First and 10 at their own 20, Howling for 4

Second and 6, Skelton in gun, inside handoff to Howling for 5

Third and 1 from the Cardinals 29, I formation, Howling over center needs only inches, but gets just enough

First and 10, Skelton under center is pressured and throws it into the ground

Second and 10, Skelton under center handoff to Howling for 3 up the middle

Cardinals Time out – first

Third and 7, Skelton in gun, Cardinals penalty – false start

Third and 12, pass to Fitzgerald right at the first down marker

First and 10 from own 40, Skelton hands to Howling, who is hit in backfield, but squirms for 2

Second and 8, pass to Doucette tipped by receiver and it falls incomplete

Third and 8, pass by Skelton to a double-covered Fitzgerald falls incomplete

Fourth down punt rolls to the Packers 17

Packers third possession

First and 10, Rodgers throws incomplete to James Jones

Second and 10, Rogers on play action passes to left side for 17 yards

First and 10 from own 34, Rodgers hands off to Alex Green up the middle for 6

End of first quarter

Packers start from own 40, second and 4, Rodgers in gun, rolls right, throws to Cobb, but the ball intercepted by Randall Gay – Under review by booth – Gay actually caught the ball as he was rolling over Cobb who was on the ground trying to make the catch. Reviewed and call on field of interception stands

Rodgers’ fifth interception of the season

Cardinals ball on the turnover

First and 10 from the Packers 43, Skelton long pass to Andre Roberts down to the Packers 3. Hayward beaten on coverage.

First and goal, handoff to Howling to 1

Second and goal, Howling breaks tackle by Jarrett Bush and runs to corner of end zone for the Touchdown

Extra point by Fiedler

 Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards in 1:27

Packers 7 Cardinals 7

Packers fourth possession

Kickoff to Packers -touchback

First and 10 from the 20, quick pitch right to Cobb who gets 11 yards

First and 10 from 31, handoff to Starks who makes good cut off left tackle for 4

Second and 6, Rodgers under center with Cobb in backfield, stretch handoff to Cobb for 12 yards – great run; Bulaga comes out with injury

First and 10, Starks with good move off the right side for 9

Second and 1, Rodgers under center, hands off to Starks for three

First and 10, reshuffled offensive line, Starks for three

Lang to right tackle and Dietrich Smith in at left guard

Second and 5, pass incomplete to Cobb

Third and five from Cardinals 38, offsides, free play pass over middle to Cobb falls incomplete

Third and 1, Rodgers in gun with Alex Green lined up to his right

Time out Packers -first

Third and 1, Green hit right at line, but picks up first down – big hit by Kerry Rhodes

First and 10, Quick pass to Tom Crabtree dropped

Second and 10, ball at Cardinals 32, rodgers stumbles and throws a strike to Donald Driver who drops; Rodgers grimaces. Packers have had 4 drops in the first half

Third and 10, Rodgers in gun, pass to Driver tipped up and caught by Driver

First and 10, Rodgers in gun, lobs a pass to Cobb who makes fantastic catch right side of end Zone – TD – Second TD catch by Cobb; Rodgers second TD pass of the day; 23 TD passes by Rodgers this season

Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards in 5:42

Packers 14 Cardinals 7

Packers

Kickoff to Powell returns to 22

Cardinals possession

First and 10, Howell for three

Second and 7, Skelton under center, drops back and throws incomplete toward Roberts

Third and 7, Early Doucette juggles a pass and drops it after he had enough for a first down; Skelton crushed after the pass by Clay Matthews

Fourth and 7 punt, delay of game on Cardinals

Fourth and 12 punt to Cobb at the 23, returned to the 25 Cobb concussion

Packers fifth possession

First and 10, Rodgers under center, hands to Starks, runs for four and fumbles; Ball bounces around and Aaron Rodgers dives from out of nowhere to recover

Second and 3, screen to Green for 6

First and 10 ball at 38, Green for 2 off right tackle; fight breaks out, but no flag

Second and 8, Green with delayed handoff for 3,

Second and 3, pass to Jones for 6 first down

First and 10, Screen to Green for 20 to the 31; well executed play with great downfield blocking. Good to see the Packers running screens once again.

First and 10 at 31, quick pass to Boykin gets 1

Second and 9, Rodgers in gun, Green in backfield, James Jones makes incredible catch over the cornerback for Touchdown. Rodgers third TD of the day; Jones has 8 TD Passes this season.

Crosby extra point

Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards in 4:39

Packers 21 Cardinals 7

1:54 left in the first half

Kickoff Crosby – touchback

Cardinals possession

First and 10 at 20, pass to Fitzgerald for 9,

Second and 1, pass to Fitzgerald for 11, nearly intercepted

First and 10, handoff to Howling for six

Second and 5 from Cardinals 41, Skelton pass to TE for 9

First and 10, Skelton sacked for rookie Mike Daniels on stunt

Second and 20

Cardinals time out

Second and 20, from own 40, pass to Doucette knocked down by M.D. Jennings

Third and 20, in gun, quick pass to Doucette dropped

Fourth down and 20 punt Cobb back in game fair catch at the 15

Packers sixth possession

First and 10, 23 seconds left, Rodgers takes a knee.

Packers 21 Cardinals 7

End of first half

First half statistics brought to you by si.com

• Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Randall Cobb 13 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 5:31 Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards in 4:49
Green Bay 7-0

2nd Quarter

LaRod Stephens-Howling 1 yard TD run (Jay Feely extra point is GOOD), 13:26 Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards in 1:27
Tied 7-7

Randall Cobb 21 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 7:44 Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards in 5:42
Green Bay 14-7

James Jones 28 yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby extra point is GOOD), 1:54 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards in 4:39
Green Bay 21-7

Cardinals

Packers

Cardinals

Packers

Interesting stats: Packers first half: 126 rushing yards, 127 passing. Most rushing yards in 1H for Packers since 2008 vs. Detroit.

Second half

Cardinals kickoff by Jay Feeley to Randall Cobb with a 43 yard slicing return

Packers first possession of second half

First and 10 from the Packers 48, in gun, handoff to Green for 4

Second and 6 Rodgers scrambles right, throws across the field ala Brett Favre, but the pass fall short and incomplete

Third and 6, ball at Cardinals 48, Rodgers in gun, Cardinals offside

Third and 1, Rodgers in gun with Green in backfield, quick slant to Jones over the middle incomplete knocked down by Patrick Peterson

Fourth down punt by Masthay, ball bounces into the end zone for a touchback

Cardinals first possession of second half

First and 10 from 20, Skelton pass knocked into air by Casey Hayward, topped ball picked off by LB Erik Walden

Packers second possession

First and 10 from Cardinals 13, handoff to Green for 2

Second and 8, in gun, Rodgers lots of time throws the ball away toward Green in right flat

Third and 8, Rodgers in gun overthrows Jones in left corner of the end zone incomplete

Crosby 33-yard FG is GOOD

4 plays, 2 yards in 0:45

Packers 24 Cardinals 7

Kickoff Packers to Cardinals Powell good return to the 28

Cardinals second possession

First and 10 from 28, Skelton handoff to Howling for 3

Second and 7, Skelton under center passes to Fitzgerald who had fallen on the play along the left sideline

Third and 7, Skelton from the gun, pass to Housler dropped – five drops by Cardinals receivers on the day

Cardinals

Fourth down punt shanked to 50 yard line

Packers third possession

First and 10 from own 50 yard line, Green for 2

Second and 8, Rodgers in gun has ALL day, but can’t find anyone open and he throws it away

Third and 8, Rodgers attempts pass, but falls incomplete as he loses control of the ball

Fourth and 8 punt by Masthay – to Patrick Peterson who muffs the ball, but recovers ball

Cardinals third possession

First and 10 from their own 13, Skelton passes to Michael Floyd for 15 yards

First and 10 from 30, Clay Matthews has Skelton in his grasp and throws the ball away.

Second and 10, Skelton throws and the pass is broken up by Jarron McMillian

Third and 10, ball at 30, Skelton completes to Housler for 11 and first down

First and 10 from the 41, Skelton play action hits Andre Roberts for 23 over the middle; Roberts hurt on play

First and 10, ball at Packers 36, Dezman Moses tips ball on outside rush and pass is incomplete

Second and 10, from gun, handoff to Howling who is hit in backfield, gets up and gets 5 yards – Packers challenge spot of the ball – After review – call on field upheld. GB loses time out

Third and 5, Skelton pass to Fitgerald for catch and run for TD

Feeley Extra point

Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards in 2:55

Packers 24 Cardinals 14

Cardinals kickoff to Cobb from goal line return to the 22

Packers possession

First and 10, Rodgers rolls right and hits Boykin for 6

Second and 4, Starks stretch play for 3

Third and 1, Rodgers under center, handoff to Green stuffed

Fourth down punt by Masthay (third punt of second half), fair catch by Peterson at 20

Cardinals possession

First and 10 at their own 20, Howling runs to the edge for 10

First and 10, Skelton from gun throws short in the flat to Howling

Second and 10, ball at Cards 35, pass to Housler for 11 first down

First and 10, Skelton under center hand off to Howling who churns ahead for five

Second and 5, pass to Housler down to the 28 for first down

First and 10 from Packers 28, Skelton to FB Sherman for 2

Matthews not in – out with injury

Second and 7, Skelton to Roberts to the 11

Cardinals time out – first

First and 10 from Packers 11, Skelton in gun, passes out of the back of the end zone.

Second and 10, 2:20 in third; Skelton hits Fitzgerald for 9 to the 2

Fourth and 1, Mike Daniels and AJ Hawk stuff Howling at line

FG from Jay Feeley 20 yards GOOD

Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards in 5:11

Packers 24 Cardinals 17

Cardinals kickoff to Packers – Cobb to the 22 on return

Packers possession

First and 10 from the 22, Rodgers under center, Green delayed handoff for 6

Green Bay Packers tight end Tom Crabtree (Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Second and 4, Rodgers in gun, pass over the middle for Crabtree and he barely outruns defenders for 72 yards, falling exhausted on the last play of the third quarter

 Drive: 2 plays, 78 yards in 0:50

Crosby extra point

Packers 31 Cardinals 17

End of third quarter

Packers kickoff to Cardinals

Cardinals possession

First and 10, Howling loses 1 yard

Second and 11, Skelton’s pass to Fitzgerald is under thrown incomplete

Third and 11, pass to Housler for 9 short of first down

Fourth down punt to Cobb – ball rolls dead at Packers 31

First and 10, handoff to Starks for 5

Second and 5, ball at Packers 36, Starks for 4

Third and 1, Starks runs right, lunges but is short of the first down

Fourth down punt by Masthay – to Patrick Peterson returns it 12 yards to the 25

Cardinals possession

First and 10 from their own 25, Skelton in the gun, passes down left sideline that was off the hands of  Davon House for the near interception

Second and 10, pass to Floyd for 8; House on the coverage

Third and 2, 10:20 in fourth; Skelton passes to Howling in right flat and is immediately tackled by Erik Walden – huge play by the linebacker.

Fourth down punt to Cobb who returns it 10 yards to the 20

Packers possession

First and 10, Starks takes a pitch to the right outside, eludes a couple of tackles, breaks one and gets 14 yards

First and 10, Starks running hard and making decisive cuts gets three

Second and 7, Starks shut down for a two-yard loss

Third and 8, ball at Packers 35, Rodgers in gun, offside on Arizona

Third and 3, Rodgers alone in backfield, quick, high pass to Cobb is juggled with one hand and brings it in for the first down

Cobb nears 200 total yards on the day

First and 10, ball at 47, Play action Rodgers rolls right and passes deep to Cobb, but it falls incomplete

Second and 10, Packers using clock well, Starks for 1

Third and 9, Rodgers in gun pitches to Cobb who runs for 6 – good clock management

Fourth down and 2; punt by Masthay – Peterson returns for 7

Cardinals possession

First and 10 from own 17, 5 minutes remain in game, pass to Fitzgerald; however, personal foul on Cardinals for piling on puts ball at their own 12

First and 15, pass to Floyd for 10

Third and 6, pass to Roberts well out of his reach

Fourth and 6, Cardinals go for it on fourth down with 3:53 left in game; Skelton in gun, passes deep to Floyd down right sideline for first down

First and 10, pass to Roberts for first down, fumbles, but ball goes out of bounds gain of 9

Second and 1, pass incomplete

Third and 1 from the Packers 32, Howling stuffed for loss of 3

Fourth down and 4, cardinals go for it, Skelton passes incomplete; pass broken up by Casey Hayward

Packers take over on downs

Packers possession

2:20 left in game, Rodgers hands off to Starks who is taken down with a horse collar tackle – personal foul

First and 10 at the Packers 49, Starks up the middle for 4

Time out Cardinals

Second and 7, Starks for 2

Time out Cardinals – final

Third and 5, Rodgers in gun, pass to Cobb incomplete

Fourth and five Masthay punt Peterson muffs the punt and Bush recovers at the 2

Packers possession

First and goal, Packers run out the clock, kneel on ball

Packers 31 Cardinals 17

Cardinals

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2012/11/04/5013/index.html#ixzz2BI6JS3H3

This week the Packers find themselves once again as heavy home favorites. However they are playing the NFL’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Arizona Cardinals, who started off 4-0, only to lose their next 4 games. They come into Lambeau Field 4-4 and desperate for a win to save their once promising season.

Aug 19, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Good

The Cardinals miss Kolb

The Cardinals will have John Skelton at quarterback. He has started 3 games this year. He was benched in his first start, and lost in the other two. He is ranked last in the NFL in quarterback rating (64.5), and has only thrown one touchdown pass all year.  In the interest of fairness his three starts have all come against pretty good defenses. Still when the opposing quarterback has as many touchdown passes as your punter (Masthay has 1 also), that’s a good thing.

The Cards O line is real bad

I will admit I have not watched the Cardinals play a lot this year, but some stats just stick out. One is that the Cardinals have given up 39 sacks this year. Thirty-nine! When the quarterback does happen to get off a pass they are only averaging 6.2 yards per attempt (31st in the NFL). So they are dumping the ball off a lot most likely due to the lack of protection. They cannot run the ball very well either. They are worst in the NFL in yards per carry (3.5) and second to last in yards per game with 79.

It’s at Lambeau Field

The Packers have only lost once this year at Lambeau, while the Cardinals have only won once on the road. The Cards stats are worse on the road across the board, especially offensively where in their last two games they could only muster three points against the Rams, and 14 points against the Vikings.

The Bad

The Cards D is still legit

I watched Alex Smith tear apart the Cardinals defense on Monday, and figured the Cardinals D was overrated. Then when I looked at the stats I saw a much different picture. The cards lead the NFL in sacks, they are ranked fourth in passing defense, and are fourth in points allowed. They have also created 15 turnovers this year, good for fifth in the NFL. They get good pressure, and are great in coverage, not good for the Packers who going in without their two best receivers, have trouble with protection, and can’t run the football.

Jordy Nelson is a game-time decision on whether he will play. Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Pack still bitten by the injury bug

The bye cannot come soon enough. The Packers have multiple injuries on both sides of the ball. The list just keeps getting longer, this week Jarel Worthy, Mike Neal, and Jerron McMillian joined the list. The packers have 14 players on the injured list, that’s more then a quarter of their team and that doesn’t even include Benson (special IR exemption).  Meanwhile the Cardinals have only ruled out only two players, Kolb and guard Adam Snyder.

The Bottom Line – 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.

Dec 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) rushes with the football during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

On Sunday the 4-4 Arizona Cardinals visit Lambeau Field to take on the 5-3 Packers.

The records don’t really tell the whole story in this one though. The Cardinals are standing at 4-4 because they have lost their last four games. The Packers have a 5-3 record because they have won their last three games in a row.

Something’s got to give in this one. Streaks don’t get much more different than the ones these teams are on right now.

The Packers need the win just to keep their position right behind the rival Chicago Bears, who lead the NFC North at 6-1.

The Cardinals need the win just to be able to stay within striking distance of NFC West-leading San Francisco at 6-2.

Injuries will once again test the Packers depth. Unable to go this week are WR Greg Jennings (sports hernia surgery), LB Nick Perry (knee), and DB Charles Woodson (broken collarbone). FB John Kuhn (hamstring), CB Sam Shields (ankle), DL Jerel Worthy (concussion), WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring), and DB Jerron McMillian (back) are all likely to sit this one out as well.

DL Mike Neal might, however, be able to play..

The Cardinals are relatively healthy, but they are missing their starting QB Kevin Kolb. Backup QB John Skelton will start against the Pack.

Here are some of the things I’ll be watching during the game:

• When the Cardinals are on offense in this game I’ll be looking for OLBs Clay Matthews and Erik Walden to have some success against the Arizona offensive tackles. Whichever Packers OLB is not being double teamed should be able to beat his opponent one-on-one and get to Cards QB Skelton.

Again this week the Green Bay receivers will in large part determine the overall success of the offense. WRs Jones, Cobb, Driver, and Boykin, along with the TEs, will have to do a better job of catching the ball.  Not surprisingly, the Packers are perilously close to the bottom of the league in drops percentage this season. Hopefully WR Jordy Nelson will sit this one out and take the extra time over the bye to get his hamstring fully healed.

The Packers might finally let RB James Starks loose in this game. The run game, and the lack thereof, has definitely been mentioned aplenty this week in the media, and sooner or later the Packers must improve their running attack. Rumors of trades for RBs like Rams RB Stephen Jackson proved untrue. James Starks and Alex Green in tandem might be a workable solution, perhaps even effective, but we won’t know until we see it in action. Hopefully on Sunday.

Defensively the Packers seem to have been feeling their way through the last couple of games. One series the D will go three-and-out and they look good doing it. The next series they’ll give up big plays and allow points they shouldn’t have allowed. Breakdowns in coverage have been too frequent. “How did he get that open?” has been heard from Packers fans this year more than usual. We’re still waiting for another dominant defensive effort. The Packers, even missing key players, are capable of shutting Arizona’s offense down. I’ll be looking for them to do just that.

Also feeling their way are the Packers offensive linemen. They’re talented. They’re experienced. But they’re far too inconsistent. The Cardinals can be expected to blitz early and often in this game. It’s what they do. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has made teams pay dearly for employing that kind of approach, torching teams when they send more than four routinely. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- get the running game going and the offensive line will look a whole lot better when tasked with protecting Rodgers.

Fearsome Predictions:

Last week the Packers special teams pulled off a blocked punt for a touchdown- something no Packers team had done since 1990. I think they have another big play in them this week. A kickoff or punt returned for a touchdown would sure go down smooth!

Packers running backs will (finally) rack up over 100 yards, and RB James Starks will outrush RB Alex Green. Let’s just hope QB Aaron Rodgers doesn’t lead the team in rushing average this week. Again.

The Pack defense will force two turnovers- an interception by CB Tramon Williams and a fumble by Cards QB Skelton. Recovered by LB Clay Matthews.

The Packers offensive play selection will be closer to 50/50 run/pass than it has been all season.

Green Bay outside LBs will total four sacks. LB Erik Walden, if left one-on-one on his side, could get three of them.

Packers WR Randall Cobb’s performance in this game will earn him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

On a personal note, my ancestral and childhood home of Brigantine, New Jersey was devastated by Hurricane Sandy this week. My memories of growing up on Brigantine Island simply don’t allow me to look at the images of the damage caused by the storm with anything other than disbelief. The entire Northeast was affected by the storm, but many of the beach communities like Brigantine were simply wiped away. Please keep the people everywhere dealing with the aftermath of Sandy in your prayers and if you can help in any other way at all please do so.

We’ll be attending the regular watch party at Tailgator’s on FM1488 in Magnolia this week. You know you want to see the game. Watch it with us and a bunch of our closest Packers fan friends. Stop on by!

Go Pack GO!