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NFL Pick – Week 9

The Arizona Cardinals started the season 4-0, but they have now dropped four games in a row. The Green Bay Packers started 2-3, but they have won three straight to go to 5-3 on the season. Arizona will travel to Lambeau Field this weekend to try to get back on track. It certainly won’t be an easy task for the Cardinals.

Game Overview:

John Skelton was hurt early in the year, but now Kevin Kolb is out so Skelton is back as the Cardinals starting quarterback. Skelton has struggled quite a bit so far this season. He has thrown only one touchdown compared to four interceptions. The Cardinals have failed to score a touchdown in two of their last four games. Arizona now has the 31st ranked offense in the NFL. It doesn’t help that Beanie Wells is out for the year with an injury, and the Cardinals are averaging only 79.4 rushing yards per game.

Arizona’s defense is the reason the team jumped out to such a great start. The Cardinals defense is one of the most talented in the NFL. Arizona has one of the best young players in the league in Patrick Peterson. He already has three interceptions this season. Leading the way for the Cardinals pass rush is Daryl Washington. Washington has already racked up eight sacks this season. Washington is having an amazing season overall, and he leads the team with 60 tackles. The Cardinals are sixth in the NFL in total defense.

Green Bay lost a couple very tough decisions in Seattle and Indianapolis, but they bounced back with a huge win over the previously unbeaten Texans and that has propelled them forward in the past couple weeks. Still, the Packers offense isn’t the well-oiled machine it was a year ago. Green Bay’s group of receivers has been dinged up, and the passing game has only been mediocre. Greg Jennings is still out, and Jordy Nelson is listed as questionable for this game. Aaron Rodgers is still doing a great job under center. Rodgers is completing 69 percent of his passes, and he has thrown 21 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. The Packers still need to find a bit of a running game to keep defenses honest.

The Packers defense has been better this year compared to last season. Last year’s unit gave up far too many yards, especially through the air. The defense has actually stayed relatively healthy this year, and that has helped out a lot. Clay Matthews is an absolute beast for this defense. Matthews has nine sacks in just eight games. Green Bay’s great pass rush puts less pressure on the secondary. Overall, Green Bay is allowing opponents to score 21.2 points per game this year.

Prediction:

Arizona’s offense is really bad right now. Green Bay’s offense isn’t what it used to be, and the Cardinals defense is tough. I think this game stays pretty low scoring.

Green Bay 27 Arizona 13