Packers vs. Cardinals Week 8 Picks: Can Green Bay Upset Arizona While Shorthanded?

Two of the NFL's best quarterbacks will do battle as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers head to Arizona to take on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Both teams will likely have a shot at the top seed in the NFC.

The Packers will be without Davante Adams, who tested positive for Covid-19, and fellow receiver Allen Lazard has already been ruled out. Adams is the league's best wideout and Rodgers' only consistent skill-position player.

The undefeated Arizona Cardinals are in the driver's seat in the NFC at 7-0, but the Packers are right there with them. An Arizona win would go a long way toward earning home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

Here are my picks and predictions for the NFL's Week 8 matchup between the Packers and Cardinals (Odds via FanDuel, and pick confidence is based on a one-to-five star scale).

Packers vs. Cardinals Game Info

Date/Time: Thursday, October 28, 8:20 p.m. ETTV: FOXLocation: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Packers vs. Cardinals Odds Analysis

This line has moved a lot since opening for one obvious reason: Adams' absence. Marquez Valdes-Scantling also isn't expected to return from the injured list, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The line opened at Cardinals -3.5 before action prompted a move to -4. It shot up to -6 following the Adams news before finally settling at -6.5.

The pass-catcher's status is also affecting the total. It opened at 52.5 and moved up to 53.5 before Adams missing the game was a possibility. The line then dropped to 50.5 and as low as 50. Action has made it rise back up to 50.5 for now.

Packers vs. Cardinals Betting Picks

Cardinals -6.5 (-110) ?Under 50.5 (-110) ??

SEE ALSO: NFL Week 8 Opening Lines and Picks

Packers vs. Cardinals Predictions

Cardinals -6.5 (-110)

The rest of the Packers' wide receivers have been unreliable this season. With Adams out, Equanimeous St. Brown will likely start, which isn't very encouraging. He's easily one of the league's most inconsistent wide receivers, so predicting his impact is nearly impossible.

With that in mind, it's even more critical for the Packers' offensive line to protect Rodgers, especially since the Cardinals boast a quality pass-rushing unit with 19 sacks so far. Green Bay's O-line has performed well in passing situations, even without three-time Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari.

On the other side, getting to Kyler Murray is probably the only way the Packers can win this game, and Green Bay has actually been pretty good at putting pressure on opposing QBs (18 sacks).

Under 50.5 (-110)

I would have taken the under at the original number, so this is even better. Green Bay won't win a shootout, even if Adams was healthy. They'll likely try to establish the run game not only as part of their plan, but also to keep Arizona's offense off the field.

Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will get 15 carries each against a Cardinals run defense that's among the NFL's worst and has been allowing five yards per carry. If that approach is successful, play-action passes will be more effective while helping Rodgers move the ball without Adams.

SEE ALSO: NFL Week 8 Power Rankings

Picks made 10/27/2021 at 10:51 p.m. ET