3 favorable matchups for the Cardinals in Week 8 vs. the Packers

Cardinals kicking game vs. Packers kicking game

I was skeptical when the Cardinals signed Matt Prater, even when they needed to upgrade the position. In 2020, Prater had an abysmal season, converting just 75 percent of his field goals and struggling from long distances. His numbers were identical to former Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez.

Prater has made 80 percent of his kicks but put an asterisk by that as one miss was a 68-yard attempt. Really, he’s 12-for-14 instead of 12-for-15. While Prater has upgraded the kicking game, Packers kicker Mason Crosby is the aging veteran struggling in 2021.

Crosby has converted 12-of-16 field goals. But he had a miserable game a few weeks back against the Cincinnati Bengals. From the Bengals game onward, he’s just 6-for-10, having also missed an extra point.

This plays into the Cardinals’ hands because overall, teams have struggled to kick against them, winding up just 6-for-9 on field goals and 10-for-14 on extra points. Crosby’s recent struggles kicking coupled with Prater’s success in 2021 will give the Cardinals an edge if this game comes down to a single possession.

(All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference)