Arizona Favored Over Green Bay, May Preview Playoffs

NFL News - December 28th, 2009 - Written by John

If the playoffs were to start today, Arizona would host Green Bay in a first-round match-up in the NFC. This week could showcase as a preview, as these two meet in the regular season finale. Arizona clinched the NFC West division two weeks ago while Green Bay has locked down a wild-card berth. Each team will be preparing for the post-season.

Arizona can potentially receive a first round BYE in the playoffs if they beat Green Bay this week and if Minnesota and Philadelphia lose. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt will have to decide if he wants to rest his starters or not. The Cardinals (10-5), have won 10 games in the regular season for the first time 34 years. Back then, the organization was still in St. Louis.

Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner has battled the injury bug this season, and Arizona will need him if they expect to go deep in the playoffs. Regardless of what happens this week, the Cardinals will play at least one play off game at home before possibly having to go on the road.

This past week against St. Louis, Warner had a fantastic game, completing 24 of 38 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns for his fifth 300-yard performance this season.

Arizona continued to get production out of rookie running back Chris Wells, who on the day, accumulated 68 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. The addition of Wells this season has given the Cardinals balance on offense and will make them a dangerous team to face in the playoffs.

The dynamic duo of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald at the receiver position for Arizona continued to be productive, hauling in a combined 13 receptions for 180 yards.

On the other sideline, Green Bay is coming off a week in which they thoroughly dominated the Seattle Seahawks, 48-10.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 12 of 23 passes for 237 yards and one touchdown. He was pulled in the second half and replaced by back-up Matt Flynn.

Packers' RB Ryan Grant ran over the Seattle defense accumulating 97 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns, including a 56-yarder. Adding to the run production was Brandon Jackson. Jackson had only 20 yards rushing, but scored twice, breaking the game open for Green Bay.

The Green Bay defense held Seattle to only 176 total yards of offense. This week however, the Arizona offense that Green Bay will face is of a different breed.

The Packers secondary will be thoroughly tested by Warner and the Cardinal receivers. The duo of cornerbacks that Green Bay has in Charles Woodson and Nick Collins may be the best tandem in the league, and will present an intriguing match-up against Boldin and Fitzgerald. This could be the best receiver/back match-up in all of football.

Week 17 NFL Betting Odds list Arizona as a three-point favorite to protect their home stadium and get a win this week over Green Bay. The over/under for the contest has been installed at 43 1/2 points, according to BetUS.