Divisional Round 2016 Game Preview: Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals, Schedule, Keys to Victory
The Green Bay Packers benefited from quarterback Aaron Rodgers super game to advance to the divisional round in the NFC, where they're going to face the daunting task of beating the almost unbeatable Arizona Cardinals this Saturday at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Cardinals showed in Week 16 that they are a level higher than the Packers after routing them, 38-8. At that regular season game, Arizona's defense suffocated Rodgers and sacked him eight times. Green Bay only managed 178 offensive yards, something that they will have to quickly address before Saturday's game date.
But a thrilling victory against the Redskins in the wild card round should at least make the formidable Cardinals worry a bit. Rodgers was simply spectacular in that game, producing 210 yards and two touchdowns. Two elite running backs in Eddie Lacy and James Starks should also cause problems for Arizona.
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Based on regular season averages, it certainly looks like the Cardinals are the much better team on the defensive end. The team is ranked fifth in the league in total defense and the Packers must do something about linebacker Calais Campbell.
For the Packers, on the other hand, everything hinges on the kind of night Aaron Rodgers will have. The 2014 NFC Offensive Player of the Year had another good regular season, completing 60.7 percent of his passes that led to 3,821 yards. He also had 31 touchdowns versus eight interceptions.
Aside from Rodgers, Green Bay will also need running back Eddie Lacy to step up and contribute the way he has in the regular season. On the ground, he rushed for 758 yards and had three touchdowns. He needs to work with James Jones in the receiving end to at least the Packers some chance to pull off an upset.
But by looking at history, everyone knows Green Bay has what it takes to rise to the occasion.
Game info
Date: Saturday, Jan. 16
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Phoenix Stadium
TV coverage: NBC
Live stream: NFL Game Pass
