Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Packers will square off against the Arizona Cardinals in what should be one heck of a battle on Sunday. Since the Curly Lambeau curse the Packers hold a record of 17-6 when facing the Cardinals.
Over the last 74 years, the Arizona Cardinals have one win at Lambeau Field. That one win came as an upset 20-17 win back on December 2, 2018. The quarterbacks were Josh Rosen and Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers were able to get out of LA on Sunday with a 24-19 win over the Rams. Packers safety Xavier McKinney changed the complexion of this game in the second half when having two turnovers resulting in two touchdowns by Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. Both the Green Bay offense and defense played well when it mattered.
With a late field goal from 35 yards by kicker Chad Rhyland, the Arizona Cardinals slipped ahead to claw out a 24-23 victory over the San Franscisco 49ers. The Cardinals were down by 13 in the third quarter. They are also 2-0 in the NFC West by defeating the Rams and 49ers.
Here are the players to watch for heading into the matchup: Packers WR Jayden Reed
He is having a good NFL season and has 21 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns with the Green Bay Packers. He has gone for 138 yards, 139 yards, and 78 yards, with Packers quarterback Jordan Love averaging five catches per game. He also had a 42+ yard catch in all three games. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has done a great job scheming deep shots with Reed, who makes the catch most of the time.
Reed currently ranks fifth in receiving yards through week 5 with 414 this season. He is one of the best young receivers in the league. Reed is redefining what a slot receiver can be within this Packers offense. Packers Safety Xavier McKinney
Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney is the first player in NFL history with an interception in his first five games with a new team. He’s allowing a 16.1 passer rating when targeted this season. McKinney was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his big performance for the Packers.
The ball-hawking heroics of McKinney have worked wonders for the Packers this season. Based on how he’s played this season, McKinney has to be looking like the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year. He has been an elite free agent signing by the Packers. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
For Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, he is off to a good start this season among his NFC West QB peers by being 94 of 138 for 972 yards passing with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. In the redzone this season, he has been lights out by being 10 of 14 with a 71.2 completion percentage for 62 yards passing and five touchdowns.
The Cardinals rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards. A big reason why, of course, is Kyler Murray, who has 23 runs for 247 yards. If the Packers want to win, they need defensive end Rashan Gary and Preston Smith to contain the outside and keep him in the pocket.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter @leviomeke and follow us @wisconsinsportsheroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here.
