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At 11 AM Arizona time, the Arizona Cardinals will take on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals, after winning their first four games, are riding a four-game losing streak. Green Bay is on a three-game winning streak. How do the teams match up? How have they played each other historically and what connections do they have?
The stats:
On the offensive end, Green Bay and Arizona are on opposite sides of the spectrum. The Packers average 26 points a game, while Arizona averages just under 16. With 26 touchdowns scored, it is double what the Cardinals have scored. In terms of yardage, Green pay is only 21st, but they are 10th in scoring. Only Jacksonville scores less than the Cardinals. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 21 touchdowns and over 2100 yards. They have the 12th best passing attack in the league.
Arizona counters with the fourth best passing defense and sixth in overall defense in terms of yardage. In scoring defense, they are fourth, giving up less than 18 points a game.
Both teams have issues with giving up sacks. The Cardinals have given up a league-high 39 sacks. The Packers have given up 28. Both teams rush the quarterback, being tied for first in football with 26 sacks.
Both teams are +3 in the turnover department.
Both teams have their bye after this week's game.
The history:
The last time these teams played was historic. It was when the Cardinals beat then 51-45 in overtime in the playoffs, where Kurt Warner threw more touchdowns than incompletions, and Aaron Rodgers almost matched him throw for throw.
Historically, Green Bay has dominated. They first played one another in 1921 and have since played another 68 times. The Packers have won 43 of those times. Arizona is only 9-27 on the road against the Packers.
The connections:
There are three players on the Cardinals that were once members of the Packers. The most recent was guardDaryn Colledge, who signed with the Cardinals in free agency two offseasons ago. Additonally, linebacker Paris Lenonplayed in Green Bay from 2002-2005. Defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday was drafted by the Packers and played for them for five years.
There are no members of the Packers that once played for the Cardinals.