Opponent Preview: Green Bay Packers face Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, Arizona Cardinals in Week 9
These two games might define how the Green Bay Packers end the first half of the 2012 regular season.
Green Bay will return back to Lambeau Field to face both teams after ending their three-game road trip in week 7.
On paper both these teams do not look like giving the Packers too much trouble on the field but things have a way of turning out different in the real matchup.
First up will be the Jacksonville Jaguars who were one of the poorer performers in 2011. The Jaguars were one of the worst teams in the league and boasted the poorest passing record in the league.
After the Jags, Arizona Cardinals will arrive at Lambeau Field next.
Unlike the Jaguars, the Cardinals were a much more polished side in 2011 ending up with an 8-8 record and have playmakers on the roster who could provide trouble for the Packers weak defence.
Let’s take a one-by-one look at both teams.
Week 8: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars struggled greatly in 2011 to put up results and delivered some of the worst performances on offence ever seen.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert came in for huge criticism during the season as he continuously failed to meet expectations.
In fairness to Gabbert he also did not have the weapons available to him who make big plays.
This year though the young quarterback has first round and fifth overall draft pick, Justin Blackmon at wide receiver to help him out and the roster has been improved significantly through the drafts.
Running back Maurice Jones-Drew can also light up during games and this year Gabbert will have little excuse if he once again fails to deliver on his undoubted talent.
Head-to-Head
This is a rare fixture with the Packers and Jags facing each other just four times in history. Both teams have two wins and two losses each.
Week 9: Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals unlike the Jaguars will be a completely different proposition.
The Cardinals are much better offensively than the Jaguars and can provide some pretty uncomfortable moments for the Packers defence.
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be the player to watch closely as his penchant to make big plays and skill will provide big headaches for the Packers.
The Cardinals though will decide which quarterback will start the season and throw the passes to Fitzgerald.
Both quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and John Skelton are competing in training camp for the position as last year both proved that they can perform after helping the Cardinals finish with an 8-8 record last year.
This will be a tricky fixture and the Packers will have to work hard if they wish to enter their bye-week with a win.
Head-to-Head
73 meetings have taken place between these two teams. Green Bay has dominated the fixture with 46 victories while Arizona boasts 23 with four games ending up tied.
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