You only have to go back a few weeks to find the last time the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers matched up against one another. The Cards got the best of the Pack 38-8 in a game which really wasn't that close, but live bettors should expect this to be a much different game this time around with a spot in the NFC Championship Game on the line.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers +7
Arizona Cardinals -7
Over/Under 50
ODDS ANALYSIS
The first thing that jumps off the page is the total of 50. After one of the lowest scoring weekends of playoff football we've seen in quite some time, this total feels insanely high, and it's easily the highest of the weekend. However, live bettors will note that this is the exact same total we saw three weeks ago in this same fixture.
Arizona softly opened up at -6.5 and quickly jumped to -7 for the official opening number on Sunday night. Bettors should realize that the Cards are going to be expected to get in front of the number in live betting for at least the entire first half unless another blowout ensues.
WHEN THE GREEN BAY PACKERS HAVE THE BALL
The whole key to live betting is protection for Aaron Rodgers. In the first quarter against Washington, Rodgers had nothing going whatsoever, and he was taken down for a safety to open up the scoring. However, Rodgers went 32 drop backs to end the game without taking a sack, and the offensive line opened up some holes for a running game which even included Randall Cobb to try to get a bit of a spark.
The Cardinals had none of it three weeks ago. They picked up nine sacks on the day and absolutely abused Rodgers every time he dropped back to pass.
Even though the Green Bay offense looked a lot more like what we're used to at the tail end of last week, this unit still could struggle in this game. Arizona's corners are arguably the best in the league, and locking down James Jones and Cobb shouldn't be the most difficult task the world.
If Rodgers is threading needles like he did against the Redskins though, the Packers will probably get into at least the 20s, if not the 30s in this game, and live bettors will consistently have great opportunities to pounce.
WHEN THE ARIZONA CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL
Carson Palmer has actually never won a playoff game in his career, something that's worth remembering. He's got an offense around him which was here last season without him, and that experience could prove incredibly valuable.
Once again, the key in live betting is going to be in the trenches. The Packers picked up six sacks of Kirk Cousins last week and forced him into a lot of bad decisions, particularly in the second half. Is that the defensive line we're going to see, or is Clay Mathews going to be running around like a chicken with his head cut off and no direction whatsoever?
If the Packers are undisciplined, Palmer is going to make them pay for sure. All three of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown are capable of absolutely going off, and when you toss in David Johnson and a suddenly explosive ground game, you wonder if the Cardinals can get in the 30s in this one as well.
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals will take place Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 8:15 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game will be televised on NBC.
