Cardinals vs. Packers: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Green Bay Packers host the Arizona Cardinals on Friday at Lambeau Field to kick off each team's preseason opener.

Green Bay is coming off an 11-5 campaign, while Arizona is coming off a woeful 5-11 season and hasn't made it to the playoffs since the 2009-10 campaign.

The Cardinals are hoping the trade for former Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer will pay dividends, while the Packers boast some promising rookies looking to make an impact in the NFL right away.

Here's a look at the preseason clash on Friday.

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

When: Friday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: NFL Network

Live Stream: NFL Preseason Live

Spread: Packers -3 (via Bovada)

Cardinals Player to Watch: Carson Palmer, QB

The Cardinals traded their 2013 sixth-round pick and a conditional 2014 pick to the Oakland Raiders to acquire Carson Palmer in April.

Arizona's quarterback play was nothing short of embarrassing last season. Cardinals quarterbacks combined to average 5.6 yards per pass attempt, the worst team mark in the league, and they combined to throw the most interceptions (21).

Palmer hasn't exactly been careful with the ball in his career, either. He's tossed 130 interceptions in 122 career games. Excluding 2008 (when he only played four games), he has posted double-digit interceptions every year he has been in the NFL.

Of course, having a target like Larry Fitzgerald can help. Fitzgerald has posted six 1,000-yard seasons in his career, despite the team's struggles under center in recent years.

Palmer said in camp, per the Cardinals' official website: "I’m not as quick as I was when I was 21, but my arm is as strong and conditioned as it has ever been. I am very happy where I am.”

Packers Player to Watch: Datone Jones, DE

Hoping to add to their pass rush, the Packers selected former UCLA defensive end Datone Jones with the 26th overall pick in the draft this year.

Jones is not disappointing.

Jones has already impressed in training camp. He ran the third-fastest 20-yard shuttle time among defensive linemen at the draft combine, and his lateral quickness and explosion has been on full display so far.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in camp, according to the Associated Press (via SI.com):

"

You can see the talent. The thing I've been most impressed with is his ability to close that line of scrimmage. He can really run. You can see the quickness.

"

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has also been impressed:

"

The way the game is now, because people spread you out so much and you've got a lot more receivers on the field, you've got more athletic quarterbacks, you better have athletic guys who can rush and can win one-on-one and can go get the quarterback once they beat a block.

"

The Packers did have 47 sacks last season (fourth in the NFL), but 13 of those came from Clay Matthews. By adding Jones, they are hoping they can have another pass-rushing threat out on the field. 

Also, Green Bay allowed 4.5 yards per carry last season (26th in the NFL), so they are hoping Jones' closing speed will come in handy in that regard.

Game Preview

At least in terms of the starters, there really is no competition here. The Packers went 11-5 last season; the Cardinals went 5-11.

Yes, Palmer at least represents an upgrade under center for the Cardinals, but he's not going to magically transform the team into a contender. However, on another note, I am interested to see how rookie running back Stepfan Taylor performs on Friday. He has the potential to be a solid player down the road.

Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu has also reportedly been "outstanding" in training camp, per Tyler Lockman of Fox Sports Arizona, so it will be interesting to see if the third-round pick can end up being a steal.

As for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers should continue to develop chemistry with third-year receiver Randall Cobb, who had a breakout campaign last season (954 yards, eight touchdowns).

Also, if rookie running back Eddie Lacy plays, he's worth keeping an eye on (Lacy is a "concern" for Friday with a hamstring injury, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).