The Packers might go most of this week without knowing who the Cardinals will start at quarterback: Kyler Murray or Jacoby Brissett.
GREEN BAY – Before his team’s first practice of Week 7, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur addressed the media. Here are some highlights.
Packers know they need to match Cardinals’ desperation
It’s a much bigger game for the Packers’ opponent this week than it is for them.
The Arizona Cardinals have lost four straight games after a 2-1 start that had them thinking of a potential playoff run. Suddenly, coach Jonathan Gannon finds himself squarely on the hot seat.
Their season turned in Week 3 with a 1-point loss at the San Francisco 49ers on the game’s final play, a walk-off field goal. They lost in the same fashion one week later against Seattle, had a stunning fourth-quarter collapse at home against the Tennessee Titans, and pushed the Indianapolis Colts in a 4-point loss on the road last week.
“They’re playing well,” LaFleur said. “I think you can’t get too lost in win-loss record. I mean, this is a team that’s lost four games in a row by 9 points. I think I read something that that’s unprecedented. This is a good football team, and we better be ready to play.”
Playing on their home field, the Cardinals will be desperate to avoid a fifth straight loss. It won’t be the first time LaFleur’s team faces a desperate opponent this season. The Cleveland Browns were 0-2 and playing at home when the Packers lost their lone game. A week later, the Dallas Cowboys were hoping to make a statement against Micah Parsons on their home field in what resulted in a tie.
The Packers will need to do something they previously haven’t done this season, matching their opponent’s desperation.
“I think our guys understand that,” LaFleur said of matching the Cardinals’ intensity. “We haven’t won on the road either. So we’ve got to do a good job of preparing and getting ready to play our best ball. I don’t think we’ve played a complete game up to date. We’ve had moments in each phase that have been really good, but to do it collectively for four quarters, I don’t think we’ve really done that. And we’re going to need to do that against a really strong football team.”
Cardinals quarterback uncertainty a challenge in Packers’ preparation
The Packers might go most of this week without knowing who the Cardinals will start at quarterback.
Kyler Murray, their preferred starter, missed last week’s game with a mid-foot sprain. Gannon gave no indication after last week’s game whether Murray would be ready to play this week.
In Murray’s absence, the Cardinals started veteran backup Jacoby Brissett. He completed 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, a 89.2 passer rating that is even higher than Murray’s 88.6 on the season.
“It’s a challenge,” LaFleur said. “I think both of those guys have different skillsets. Obviously, Jacoby went in there and was very productive. I think it was their most productive game up to this date offensively, but we all know the type of player that Kyler is. Because he can make the on-schedule and off-schedule (plays). So it’s going to be a little bit more on our players’ plate, but that’s just the situation, and that’s what we’ve got to do.”
Packers injury updates
The Packers continue to navigate injuries to key players as they prepare for their first practice of the week.
LaFleur said defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt is “getting closer” to returning from a knee injury, but he won’t practice Oct. 15 in pads. Wyatt missed last week’s game after the bye after leaving early in Dallas.
“We’ll obviously give him the week,” LaFleur said.
Right tackle Zach Tom is also not expected to practice, though LaFleur said that is subject to change. He indicated Tom did not have a setback with his oblique injury against the Bengals.
“I did talk to him this morning,” LaFleur said, “and he’s feeling better.”
LaFleur said running back MarShawn Lloyd is “getting closer” to being activated to return off injured reserve, but it won’t be this week. He said rookie defensive end Collin Oliver’s status returning from the physically-unable-to-perform list remains “up in the air.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Matt LaFleur stresses need for Packers to match Cardinals’ urgency
Category: Football
