We have an exciting matchup on Thursday Night Football to wash away the stench of that dud between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. That was a pain to watch at times, and the weather didn’t help. We are going to have perfect conditions in the desert for the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.
This is a Thursday night game worth watching, which you can’t say for most weeks on Thursday Night Football. The Packers are unfortunately going to be short handed in this one, though. Devante Adams will be unavailable to go in this one because of COVID protocol. Adams is playing like a guy that is interested in being the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
The playoff picture heading into Week 8! pic.twitter.com/9JYr4TTD6I
— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2021
Adams and Aaron Rodgers were both looking to find a way out of Green Bay in the offseason. Rodgers has looked as happy as he’s been in a long time, so maybe he ends up staying after all. Adams isn’t going to settle until he gets the money he wants. Both could be back or neither in Wisconsin next year.
Right now Packers’ fans are just enjoying the current ride. The Packers are going to Arizona with a record of 6-1 looking to drop the Cardinals to 7-1 and advance to 7-1 themselves. Arizona are the last remaining team in the NFL, and I’m fortunate to have a Cardinals ticket to win the NFC West. Can they keep it going? I’m passing on making a decision, but have props for this battle. Head below for our free Packers vs. Cardinals prop bets for October 28, 2021.
Aaron Rodgers Total Passing Yards
I’m looking at this number and thinking that this number is on the inflated side. The oddsmakers continue to disrespect the Cardinals’ defense, and I know that this is Aaron Rodgers, but it’s not like he’s lighting up the sky for 400 yards every game this season.
The Packers’ offense has been balanced and depending on an array of options in their offense. It’s keeping Rodgers happy, as he doesn’t have to put games squarely on his shoulders. Rodgers goes into Thursday night with 1,710 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on 68.3% completions.
Rodgers has passed for more than 300 yards in only one game this season. That was against the Cincinnati Bengals in a shootout on October 10. Otherwise, Rodgers has been methodical and just picking away at what the defense is giving him.
In seven games, Rodgers has connected for more than 268 yards in only two games. 344 yards against the Bengals, and then 274 this past week against a bad Washington secondary. The Cardinals are not bad in the least, and probably the most underrated unit in the NFL.
The Cardinals are third with 201 passing yards allowed per game. Overall, they’ve given up just 316.7 yards per game for fourth in the league, and first with 16.3 points against. I don’t think oddsmakers are giving their defense enough credit in this one, especially with Adams absent.
Aaron Rodgers Total Rushing Yards
Aaron Rodgers has legs, and when nothing is open, he tends to like to take off on the ground. It isn’t that Rodgers is super fast, he isn’t fast, but he’s smart when knowing when to run. When there’s a gaping hole with no linebackers around, Rodgers likes to run when there isn’t anything else available.
He has been running more often recently. In his last two outings, Rodgers has nine rushing attempts. Rodgers ran for 19 yards against the Chicago Bears, and then scampered for 17 yards last week versus Washington. With a quality Cardinals’ secondary on the field, and no Adams, I think that he’s going to run for more than 11 yards tonight.
A.J. Green Total Receiving Yards
A.J. Green isn’t the same player that he used to be with the Cincinnati Bengals. After suffering through injuries toward the end of his tenure in Cincinnati, he missed a couple of years from his prime. Having said that, Green is still a viable target and has found a role in Arizona.
Green doesn’t have to be the go-to target for Kyler Murray. That job is DeAndre Hopkins, so there is a sense of pressure lifted from his shoulders in this oftense. He’s had some critical first downs for the Cardinals this season. Green doesn’t have the same speed, but still has sticky hands.
He is going into Thursday night with 24 receptions, 406 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Green has been getting involved lately with 5 receptions and a score for 79 yards against the Browns, and then he followed up this past weekend with 3 receptions and 66 yards versus the Texans. His receiving prop total looks a touch too low. I can see him going for 56 or 60 yards here
