Green Bay Packers v. Arizona: 5 Big Questions Ahead of Matchup

Can the Green Bay Packers generate enough pressure on Murray?

As we all know, the name of the game in football is pressuring the quarterback. Green Bay has done a very good job of that as of late, but that’s been up against a struggling Chicago offensive line, a below-average Bengals front, and a Washington offensive line without two starters.

This week, they’ll be facing an Arizona offensive line that ranks sixth in ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric and a group that has given up just 57 pressures this season, which is the fifth-fewest in football. However, not only has this Cardinal offensive line played well, but as we all know, Kyler Murray is extremely elusive, and when under pressure, he’s performed very well.

For starters, his 47 pass attempts when under pressure is the fifth-fewest — again, credit to the offensive line — but his completion rate of 61.7 percent ranks second, he’s first in yards per attempt with 9.3, and sixth in touchdowns with four, according to PFF ($$).

If this Green Bay defense is going to slow this Arizona offense, they’ll need to get to Murray and do so right away–so perhaps we see the Packers blitz more as a result. Otherwise, if Murray has time, with the targets he has in the passing game, it could end up being a long day for this defense.

How will the Green Bay Packers perform with their back against the wall?

Green Bay is on the road, it’s a short week, they’re up against a very good Cardinals team, and they’ll be without several key players, including All-Pros Davante Adams, Jaire Alexander, Za’Darius Smith, and David Bakhtiari–who hasn’t been ruled out yet, but I’m guessing he doesn’t play.

So, the big question is, how do they handle the adversity?

The answer seems to fall on a wide spectrum. If you told me that Green Bay will lose by three scores, I would believe you. If you told me they will find a way to win, I’d believe that as well, along with any outcome in between.

Now, with that said, it’s going to take a lot to go right for them to win, and even if those things happen, they still may lose. But with a lot going against them, I’m curious — and excited — to see how they handle it and perform.

If Green Bay can somehow leave Arizona with a victory, this will be one of, if not he best coaching performance by Matt LaFleur to date.