For the third consecutive week, the Arizona Cardinals are underdogs by a touchdown or more. After starting the season 4-0, the Cards have dropped their last four games and suddenly the spreads just can't get high enough. Part of it is scheduling; the Cardinals faced an elite 49ers team on Monday and face a surging Packers team this weekend. But for a team that has struggled to score of late -- averaging nine points in their last four games - they don't really deserve the benefit of the doubt. They are 12.5-point underdogs this weekend in Green Bay, according to OddsShark.com.
Week 9 NFL odds: Cardinals vs. Packers
The beleaguered Cardinals are 12.5-point underdogs to the red-hot Packers
Christian Petersen
Green Bay, on the other hand, has overcome a slow start and finally put their high-powered offense on display. Though they failed to cover a 16.5-point spread to the Jaguars on Sunday, the Packers have scored 24-or-more points in every game of their last five. With the possibility of wide receiver Jordy Nelson returning to the lineup, the Packers are poised to keep scoring in bunches.
The total for this game is 43.5, which represents the two sides of the coin each team brings. Arizona's defense, highlighted by Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell, is strong but they fail to score points, while Green Bay's elite offense attempts to drag a mediocre defense in it's wake. The total will be decided by how effective the Cardinals are in getting to Aaron Rodgers.
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