The Green Bay Packers (3-2) return home and will face the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
One of these two teams will finish Week 6 with a two-game winning streak. The Packers beat the Rams in Los Angeles last week, and the Cardinals came from behind to beat the 49ers in San Francisco.
Can Matt LaFleur’s team maintain consistency and gain much-needed momentum at a key point in the season?
Here are five things to watch and the forecast for Week 6:
All eyes are on the pass
The Packers’ erratic pass rush will take center stage against Kyler Murray, a lively playmaker who can extend plays and create off-schedule plays. The challenge will be keeping him in the pocket and preventing the moments of improvisation that cause so many explosive plays in the Cardinals offense. The key will be to thicken the pockets without going too far into the field or allowing escape routes. The Packers have to balance interfering with the quarterback and calling for off-schedule plays. Thanks to previous experience with Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson, the Packers know how to rush an athletic quarterback and limit running opportunities.
Love for Wicks
The Packers offense needs to cut down on penalties, but another key to unlocking the potential of the passing game is the connection between Jordan Love and Dontayvion Wicks. Both players are too talented for the current level of disconnect to continue. Love needs to be more true and Wicks needs to finish more plays. Could this be the week it happens? Wicks is the primary separation player, and the Cardinals defense ranks 31st in separation allowed against targets in 2024, according to Next Gen Stats. Love and Wicks’ break play can actually give you an advantage in the break game.
Can takeaways continue?
The Packers have scored multiple takeaways in all five games and are tied for first in the NFL with 14 takeaways in Week 6. Will the takeaway be able to sustain a team that has generally protected the football this season? Kyler Murray has just two interceptions and ranks ninth in turnover-worthy play percentage this season. At some point in the season, the Packers defense will need to make consistent stops without relying on takeaways. Perhaps Sunday’s visit by Murray and the Cardinals will be an opportunity to prove himself.
All-Pro vs. best choice
The potential return of Jaire Alexander could provide an excellent 1-on-1 matchup when the Cardinals have the football. Alexander, a two-time All-Pro, would see multiple first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr., who leads the Cardinals in targets, receiving yards and touchdowns. The novice is gigantic, understands impact on routes and is highly skilled in arduous fishing situations. Alexander’s return on Sunday could assist the Packers land one of Kyler Murray’s top targets in the passing game.
Packers are going through a career
According to Next Gen Stats, the Cardinals will enter Week 6 ranked 31st in pressure rate. Arizona’s defense has nothing game-changing and struggles to influence the quarterback. The Packers added left tackle Rasheed Walker to the injury report with a knee injury, potentially creating an issue. However, Sunday’s matchup should be a chance for the Packers to protect Jordan Love well in the passing game. In fact, Matt LaFleur’s team should probably dominate at the line of scrimmage when the Packers have the ball.
Prediction: Packers 31, Cardinals 24 (1-4)
The Cardinals have been battle-tested after facing the Bills, Lions and 49ers in the first five weeks, and it’s a protected bet that Jonathan Gannon’s team is doing just fine after a dominant second half that led to a win last week in San Francisco. Add in the play of Kyler Murray, who has the ability to create through chaos, and the Cardinals are a badass team that cannot be overlooked. I expect a close game, but I also expect the Packers passing game to start to take off. The Cardinals are one of the worst pass rush teams, and there are weaknesses throughout the minor league. Jordan Love should play from comfortable pockets. Both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson could return. It’s time for the Packers to realize their potential. The breakout game is coming and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes on Sunday.
