Packers vs. Cardinals: Who has the winning advantage in Week 7?

Which team will have the winning advantage when the Green Bay Packers (3-1-1) go on the road to face the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) in Week 7?

Football is a complicated game, but finding the reasons for winning individual matchups between teams each week is often a straightforward exercise. What wins games? Excellent quarterback play, winning the line of scrimmage, taking care of the football and taking it away, controlling the important situations, explosive plays and overcoming or taking advantage of the injury situation.

Our weekly game preview went deep into the Packers-Cardinals matchup to determine who has the advantage at the key factors for winning football games in the NFL:

Quarterback play

Kyler Murray can be a unique playmaker both on-schedule and off-schedule, but he was a middling starter through the first five games, with a passer rating (88.6), yards per attempt (6.0) and yards per completion (8.7) well under the league average. Jacoby Brissett, the veteran backup, completed 27 passes and produced the team's first 300-yard passing game of the season last Sunday. Neither is as efficient or explosive as Jordan Love, who is completing over 70 percent of his passes and ranks in the top five in passer rating (110.9), yards per attempt (8.6) and yards per completion (12.2). It isn't always flashy, but Love is playing the position at a high level overall, and he's producing in big moments. Edge: Packers

Key quarterback stats: pic.twitter.com/gNKDaGaRyN

— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) October 15, 2025

Line of scrimmage

The offensive lines for the Packers and Cardinals are probably comparable through six weeks, with both lines far better at protecting the quarterback than opening holes in the run game. The difference might arrive in the performances of the defensive fronts. The Packers rank 13th in run defense grade and fifth in pass-rushing grade at PFF, while the Cardinals rank 30th in run defense grade and 27th in pass-rushing grade. Arizona's front has good players -- Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell and Baron Browning are all disruptive -- but creating consistent pressure on quarterbacks has been a struggle. Neither team is blitz-heavy so far in 2025. Overall, Green Bay has been better against the run (3.6 yards per carry allowed compared to 4.2 for Arizona) and pass (4.8 net yards per attempt compared to 5.9 for Arizona). Edge: Packers

Pass protection composite ratings through week 6

The Seahawks/Patriots performed miracles after last season pic.twitter.com/qUCqUxghSf

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) October 15, 2025

Turnovers

The Cardinals have seven takeaways and seven giveaways in six games. The Packers have two takeaways and three giveaways in five games. What's more important, avoiding takeaways or creating them? Green Bay's lack of takeawys is concerning, but the offense has generally protected the football. The Cardinals likely need to win the ball -- or the turnover margin -- by one or two on Sunday to win. They are more likely to create a turnover at this point, but six giveaways during the last three games suggests turnovers are a game-deciding problem. Can the Packers avoid a big, game-changing giveaway on the road? Edge: Push

Situational

The Cardinals are excellent on third down on both offense and defense, ranking sixth in the NFL in converting third downs on offense and seventh in preventing conversions on third down -- creating a situational challenge for the Packers, especially on the road. Green Bay is first on third down on offense and sixth on defense, so this game could be won or lost on the big third downs of the game. Jonathan Gannon's team is middle of the pack in the red zone on both sides of the ball. The Packers are terrific in the red zone on offense but only 23rd in stopping touchdowns in the red zone defensively. Edge: Push

Explosive plays

The Packers still have the NFL's highest explosive play rate on offense, thanks largely to a consistently productive passing game on the big play front. Jordan Love loves pushing the ball downfield, and Matt LaFleur's scheme is built around creating the opportunities to be aggressive. The Cardinals offense, meanwhile, ranks 25th in explosive rate, and they'll be facing the NFL's second-best defense at limiting explosive plays, although it's fair to wonder if the Packers will start shifting focus more on stopping the short, quick passing game. The Cardinals defense ranks 21st in explosive play rate. The volume and rates suggest the Packers have a big advantage in big play potential. Edge: Packers

Offensive and defensive explosive play rates: pic.twitter.com/laukQZciEV

— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) October 14, 2025

Injury situation

Both the Packers and Cardinals started the week with 14 players on the injury report, so both teams are hurting at certain spots. As was the case last week, the Packers' opponent has the biggest injury, and possibly the biggest two injuries. Quarterback Kyler Murray has a foot injury and missed last week, while receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. started the week in the concussion protocol. The Packers could be missing a few key pieces along the defensive front, and kicker Brandon McManus has an uncertain status, but at least the quarterback is healthy. Edge: Packers

Verdict: Packers have winning advantage

Matt LaFleur's team appears to have the edge in several important categories, including quarterback play, explosive plays and pass-rushing potential, and the Packers have a healthy player at the game's most important position. The Cardinals started 2-0 and had legitimate opportunities to win the last four games, and playing six consecutive one-score games to open the season suggests another close game is upcoming. But in a tight game, the team with the better quarterback and better pass-rush usually has the advantage.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Cardinals: Who has the winning advantage in Week 7?