NFL Week 8 is making its presence known from the jump with a powerhouse of a Thursday night showdown between Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (6-1) and Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (7-0).
The Packers have won six straight since opening the season with a 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Jacksonville, Florida. Meanwhile, the Cards own the prestigious distinction of being the only undefeated team in the NFL.
Historically, Green Bay has dominated the series but Arizona has won the past three meetings between the franchises. If you’re into excitement, you should know that two of the past three games (including postseason) between the teams have gone into overtime.
Will Rodgers — despite playing without his favorite target WR Davante Adams (COVID-19/reserve list) — be able to outperform one of the NFL’s best defenses this season? Or will Murray and the Red Sea continue to rise up and encroach on the 1972 Miami Dolphins‘ perfect season?
Arizona answers back and makes it a three-point game thanks to James Conner‘s seventh rushing touchdown of the year. The running back had six rushing touchdowns all of last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Conner’s seven rushing touchdowns this season are the second-most in the NFL (Derrick Henry, 10).
James Conner’s SEVENTH TD of the season! #RedSea @JamesConner_
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No Adams, no problem? Rodgers found another familiar target to extend Green Bay’s lead in the third quarter: Randall Cobb. The 2-yard grab marked Cobb’s 44th career touchdown catch as a Packer.
Just like old times.@AaronRodgers12 & @RCobb18 extend the @Packers lead! #GoPackGo
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We have ourselves a game. The Packers didn’t wait long into the second quarter (12:54 to be exact) to even the score behind an elite effort from running back Aaron Jones, who rushed for 2-yards up the middle for the touchdown.
The @Packers RBs are running ANGRY. @showtyme_33 #GoPackGo
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Arizona goes to the Wildcat for the first score of the night, which also happens to be Chase Edmonds‘ first touchdown of the season.
Wildcat Cardinals. @ChaseEdmonds22 #RedSea
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The touchdown comes on the heels of a huge DeAndre Hopkins play — his 61-yard touchdown was nullified by a face mask penalty (15 yards), but the way he played the defensive back and got wide open was masterful nonetheless.
This throw and catch by @K1 and @DeAndreHopkins π₯
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To state the obvious, DHop is different.