A lot of the Thursday games have been clunkers so far this season, but not this one. At least not on paper.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is a dual threat with his passing and running abilities and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers can also do damage with both his arm and legs. Although he doesn't scramble and run as much as he used to.
Murray has 2,002 passing yards with 17 touchdown passes and five interceptions and he has scored three rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Rodgers has 15 TD passes with three interceptions and has passed for 1,710 yards.
The big problem for the Packers in this game is they will most likely not have their top wide receiver Davante Adams, who is out after testing positive for COVID-19. In addition, Allen Lazard (contact with COVID-19) is also a likely scratch for the Thursday night game. Without his two main wideouts, Rodgers will have to rely on (WR) Randall Cobb, the tight ends and also use the checkdowns to his running backs. The Cardinals pass rush will also present a challenge (Arizona has 19 sacks) with Markus Golden (six sacks) and Chandler Jones (five) looking to get to Rodgers.
All in all, this should be an exciting game that could very well come down to the final minutes. Look for Arizona to escape with a close win.
Three other games that could be deemed as "Game of the Week" include Pittsburgh (3-3) at Cleveland (4-3), Dallas (5-1) at Minnesota (3-3) and Tampa Bay (6-1) at New Orleans (4-2).
In fact, the Cowboys and Vikings are the Sunday night "prime time" game and this one could very well go down to the wire. The Vikings have been playing better since their 1-3 start, which included one-score setbacks in all their losses. Dallas has won five in a row, including a thrilling overtime victory in New England two weeks ago. But Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is nursing a calf injury and might not be ready for this one. The high scoring Cowboys will look to keep the good times rolling.
The Saints will host Tom Brady and the red hot Buccaneers in the SuperDome and this one could be closer than a lot of folks might think. The Bucs have been averaging 33 points per game and Brady has 21 TD passes with only three interceptions and leads the league with 2,275 passing yards. The Saints have been relying on a nails tough defense to stay in the hunt in the NFC South division so far, allowing 101 points through the first six games. They have to get pressure on Brady to keep in the game and with just eight sacks so far, that isn't likely to happen.
The Steelers and Browns are AFC North division rivals and both trail the Bengals and Ravens (5-2) by one game in the loss column. So this game is a big one for both teams, especially with Browns QB Baker Mayfield coming off an injury that kept him out of the Browns 17-14 win against Denver last week. Pittsburgh has won two straight games after a 1-3 start and QB Ben Roethlisberger has improved after the rough start, passing for 1,515 yards with seven TD and four interceptions through six games.
This game will be close and the Browns will look to keep the ground game going even if they don't have either Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt again. RB D'Ernest Johnson had a huge game last week and the Steelers will be looking to slow that ground game down.
The other games this weekend are featured in the capsule style form and the Heftyinfo predictions for all the action follows.
Cincinnati (5-2) at N.Y. Jets (1-5) - The Bengals should roll in this one, but the Jets have something to prove after getting smacked in New England last week.
Tennessee (5-2) at Indianapolis (3-4) - The Colts need to win this game, having already lost to the Titans a few weeks ago. Titans RB Derrick Henry will be looking to have a big game after not rushing for 100 yards last week.
L.A Rams (6-1) at Houston (1-6) - Rams roll !
Philadelphia (2-5) at Detroit (0-7) - Could this be the week the Lions finally get a win?
San Francisco (2-4) at Chicago (3-4) - The 49ers have lost four in a row and the Bears got whooped last Sunday in Tampa Bay. Toss up in this one.
Carolina (3-4) at Atlanta (3-3) - This is a game featuring two teams going in the opposite direction. Take the Falcons.
Miami (1-6) at Buffalo (4-2) - Bills roll !
New England (3-4) at L.A. Chargers (4-2) - The Patriots crushed the Chargers last year . . . but that was then and this is now. Take the Chargers.
Jacksonville (1-5) at Seattle (2-5) - Two teams that are reeling so far in the 2021 season. This one could go down to the wire.
Washington (2-5) at Denver (3-4) - Who cares?
N.Y. Giants (2-5) at Kansas City (3-4) - The Monday night game in K.C. usually means an easy win for the Chiefs, but that might not be the case this time around. The Chiefs need to step it up quick if they want to win another AFC West crown.
The Heftyinfo predictions for Week Eight . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Arizona over Green Bay
Cincinnati over N.Y. Jets
Tennessee over Indianapolis
Cleveland over Pittsburgh
L.A. Rams over Houston
Detroit over Philadelphia
Chicago over San Francisco
Atlanta over Carolina
BUFFALO over Miami
L.A. Chargers over New England
Seattle over Jacksonville
Tampa Bay over New Orleans
Denver over Washington
Minnesota over Dallas
Kansas City over N.Y. Giants
Last Week's Record - 8-5
SEASON RECORD - 69-38
Lock of the Week Record - 7-0
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