NFC powerhouses will face off when the Green Bay Packers (6-1) and Arizona Cardinals (7-0) clash on Thursday Night Football. This matchup features two franchise quarterbacks. Kyler Murray is an early-season MVP candidate, tossing 2,002 yards with 17 passing touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers is off to another stellar campaign, as the three-time MVP has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,710 yards and 15 touchdowns. Receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard are both out for Green Bay due to COVID-19 protocols.
Kickoff from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Arizona is favored by 6.5 points in the latest Packers vs. Cardinals odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the Over-Under is 50.5. Before locking in any Cardinals vs. Packers picks, make sure you check out the NFL predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up almost $7,700 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago. The model enters Week 8 of the 2021 season on an incredible 126-85 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past five years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has simulated Packers vs. Cardinals 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NFL picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s TNF picks. Now, here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Packers vs. Cardinals:
- Packers vs. Cardinals spread: Cardinals -6.5
- Packers vs. Cardinals over-under: 50.5 points
- Packers vs. Cardinals money line: Arizona -280, Green Bay +230
- ARI: Cardinals are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall
- GB: Under is 4-0 in Packers’ last four games overall
Featured Game | Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers
Why the Cardinals can cover
Arizona’s defense has taken a jump this year. In 2020, the Cardinals had the 13th-ranked total defense, but through seven games, they have taken a step forward. Arizona currently has the fourth-ranked total defense with 316.7 yards allowed per game. They are also tied for first in points allowed with 16.3 points per game. The Cardinals have allowed more than 20 points just once.
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons leads Arizona in total tackles with 47, including 30 solo. Simmons also has two tackles for loss with two forced fumbles. Cornerback Bryon Murphy Jr. has played extremely well for the Cardinals, recording 24 total tackles with a team-high seven pass deflections and three interceptions. This unit has shown its ability to cause havoc for its opponents and will need that against Green Bay’s offense.
Why the Packers can cover
The status of star wide receiver Davante Adams (reserve-COVID) is a clear concern for Green Bay, but the Packers have found ways to win without the All-Pro receiver in the past. In fact, they have a 6-0 straight-up record in games without him over the past two years. That should give quarterback Aaron Rodgers and company plenty of confidence in this tough road matchup.
Rodgers can get creative in the passing game and isn’t afraid to spread the ball around. Six other players outside of Adams have at least nine catches this season. Green Bay could also see the return of big-play receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has been out since Week 3 with a hamstring injury.
How to make Packers vs. Cardinals picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 48 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time. You can only see the model’s Cardinals vs. Packers picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Cardinals vs. Packers on Thursday Night Football? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cardinals vs. Packers spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up almost $7,700 on its NFL picks, and find out.
