Arizona Cardinals five questions with Lombardi Ave

Five questions with staff writer Josh McPeak from FanSided’s Green Bay Packers site Lombardi Ave

The Arizona Cardinals face the Green Bay Packers this Sunday afternoon at 2:25 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.  They host the Packers in Arizona for the first time since the now infamous 2010 wild-card playoff game.

Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning.  The Cardinals can clinch the second-seed in the NFC with a win.  Green Bay is the only team that can catch the Cardinals still for that coveted first-round bye.  I had a chance to ask Lombardi Ave staff writer Josh McPeak (@VALambeauLeaper) some questions about the Packers and the matchup.

What is the overall feeling in Green Bay right now? The season started off great but now it looks as if a third-seed is in their future. Can the Packers go through Arizona or Carolina to get to the Super Bowl?

"That is a tough opening question. This team is 10-4, but has lost to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field and the Chicago Bears on a night which they retired the jersey of Brett Favre. Green Bay was just a little short of an epic comeback against Carolina, which seems to be the Panthers’ biggest weakness right now. This week will answer a ton of questions. As of right now, I don’t think this Packers team will reach the Super Bowl."

What is the running back situation right now? Has Eddie Lacy gotten out of the doghouse and do you think he and or James Starks can get a running game going against the Cardinals this Sunday?

"Eddie Lacy seems to be on a very short leash right now. After a big performance against the Dallas Cowboys, he was almost invisible against the Oakland Raiders. James Starks has been the more consistent back, but has struggled with coughing up the ball. It could very well be a passing affair in the desert. I wouldn’t expect a big game from any of the Packers’ backs this week."

Aaron Rodgers doesn’t seem to be the same quarterback over the past month or so since starting 6-0. Is that a by-product of his receivers performances or is there an issue with Rodgers himself?

"The receivers have struggled and Aaron Rodgers has very little trust in the group as a whole. In his postgame press conference, he made it clear he was targeting James Jones and that Jared Abbrederis should be on the field more. Davante Adams has played himself onto the bench -in my opinion. Without Jordy Nelson, Rodgers has no viable go to target. Green Bay could very well have more success through the air, but that may mean an abundant more amount of interceptions for Rodgers. I don’t think he is willing to risk the turnover factor."

The loss of Tyrann Mathieu for the Cardinals at safety no doubt hurts but won’t change the game plan much defensively. How do you think Rodgers and company can be successful in the passing game with him out?

"The top rated DB according to Pro Football Focus is out for the season. Tough blow for you guys and something you never want to see. Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL and maybe ever when he is outside of the pocket. Teams have been very successful of late at keeping him inside the pocket. That speaks more to the ability of his receivers to get open on their own. Keep Rodgers in the pocket, it could be an easy Cardinals win. Let him out of the pocket, it’s going to be a thriller."

Finally, prediction time. What is your prediction for the game with final score?

"The Packers are atrocious as a road underdog. Arizona can clinch at least the #2 seed with a victory on Sunday. With that said, it will all boil down to a pair of rookie corners for the Packers. Damarious Randall and Quentin Rollins have exceeded expectations. The Dom Capers’ led defense has been very good outside of a few drives for several weeks. Somehow, someway, the Pack find a way to get it done in the desert."

Packers 31 Cardinals 24