Cardinals vs. Packers: Previewing the NFL Preseason Matchup and Position Battles

The Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers will face off Friday in a preseason rematch of one of the wildest shootouts in NFL playoff history.

In the 2009 NFC Wild Card Game, the Cardinals beat the Packers in overtime, 51-45, after a thrilling display of passing prowess from Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers that included nine combined touchdown passes and over 800 yards.

Since that aerial assault in Arizona, the two teams have gone in opposite directions. 

The Packers built on their playoff appearance in '09, going 10-6 in the regular season before beating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, in Super Bowl XLV. 

The Cardinals, on the other hand, couldn't recover from Warner's retirement after the '09 season and limped through a 5-11 season with several different quarterbacks.

Arizona did their best to fix that position this offseason, however, as they traded for Kevin Kolb from Philadelphia. Kolb will get a stiff test from a Packers secondary that ranks among the best in the NFL.

In the following slides, we'll preview the Packers and Cardinals preseason matchup.

Game Info and TV/Radio Schedule

When: Friday, Aug. 19, 2011

Time: 8 p.m. EST

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

Arizona Area Radio/TV

Radio: KTAR (620 AM), Sirius 113, 137 

TV: NFL Network (nationally televised) or KNXV ABC15 

Green Bay Area Radio/TV

Radio: WTMJ (620 AM), Green Bay Packers Radio Network  

TV: NFL Network (Nationally televised) or WTMJ-TV (Milwaukee) or WFRV-TV (Green Bay) 

Packers Preseason Week 1

Without two of their top three cornerbacks, the Packers were a bit overmatched by Colt McCoy and the Browns passing offense. McCoy led the Browns on two touchdown-scoring drives as the Browns beat the Packers, 27-17.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led a touchdown drive of his own on the Packers' second series, capping the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings on a wonderfully placed back-shoulder throw.

After McCoy put the Browns back in the lead, the Packers backup quarterback engineered the two-minute drill to perfection. Flynn threw for all 89 yards of the drive, including a three-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Havner off a deflection.

The second half was a struggle for Green Bay, however, as the Browns stripped third-string quarterback Graham Harrell and returned the fumble for a touchdown.    

Cardinals Preseason Week 1

The Cardinals saw their 2011 preseason campaign begin with a win, as Arizona left Oakland a 24-17 winner over the Raiders. 

After just two series from Kevin Kolb, backup quarterback John Skelton put the Cardinals in the lead at the half when he found Stephen Williams for an 18-yard touchdown.

Arizona also got touchdown passes from Richard Bartel (eight yards to Rob Housler) and Max Hall (28 yards to Isaiah Williams) en route to 400 yards of total offense.

Kolb finished his two series by completing 4-of-7 passes for 68 yards, including a 43-yard completion to receiver Larry Fitzgerald.   

Packers Positional Battle: Left Guard

The Packers battle at left guard rages on, with T.J. Lang now holding a narrow edge on rookie Derek Sherrod. 

Coach Mike McCarthy said that Lang graded out higher than Sherrod in Cleveland, but the Packers are still giving their first-round pick ample opportunity to win the job. 

A tackle at Mississippi State, Sherrod is slowly adjusting to life as a guard while still taking practice reps outside. Lang, in his third NFL season, is still trying to win a starting spot on the Packers offensive line. 

Friday's preseason game will be yet another test for two as they attempt to win the left guard spot. Regardless of Sherrod's draft position, the man who plays the best in the final three preseason games should start Sept. 8 against New Orleans. 

Cardinals Positional Battle: Running Back

The Cardinals have two high draft choices battling to win carries in the Arizona backfield. 

2009 first-round pick Beanie Wells looks to be the starter at this point, but he's battled injuries during his first two seasons and should have to win the spot this preseason. 

Tight on his heels is 2011 second-rounder Ryan Williams, who has impressed in Cardinals camp and should get carries regardless of whether or not he's the starter. 

The Cardinals preseason opener didn't give us much insight on this battle, but Friday's Week 2 affair with the Packers just might. 

Packers Positional Battle: Outside Linebacker

The Packers have had a revolving door at outside linebacker throughout training camp, with Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones rotating in and out of the Packers' No. 1 defense. 

Heading into their second preseason game, however, the Packers might have a leader in the clubhouse. 

Walden has been taking first-string snaps the past two practices, despite the fact that Zombo started their preseason game in Cleveland. 

That looks like it will change against the Cardinals, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Walden takes a firm hold on the job. 

Cardinals Positional Battle: Receiver

Larry Fitzgerald is obviously a lock at one spot, and Andre Roberts looks like a good bet to start opposite him at receiver. 

Behind those two, the Cardinals have plenty of names to sort through. 

Early Doucet will help offset the loss of Steve Breaston and should get plenty of looks with the first-team offense. Stephen Williams caught a touchdown pass against the Raiders and has looked good in camp. 

But the name to keep your eye on is DeMarco Sampson, a 2011 seventh-round pick who has been one of the standouts at Cardinals camp. He'll be battling for more looks and a better position on Arizona's receiver depth chart Friday in Green Bay.  

Packers: What To Watch for

Friday's preseason game should mark the return of Packers tight end Jermichael Finley from a knee injury that sidelined him for all but five games in 2010. 

Finley was in the process of putting together a Pro Bowl-like year (on pace for more than 80 catches and 1,200 yards) when he tore his meniscus in Washington.

Now fully healed, Finley is expecting big things in 2011.

A free agent after this season, he needs to stay healthy and produce to warrant the Packers giving him a big extension. 

Cardinals: What To Watch for

Cardinals 2011 first-round pick Patrick Peterson saw his first NFL action against the Raiders, but the Packers should present the fourth overall pick with the stiffest challenge of his young career. 

The Packers' Aaron Rodgers is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, and he should get more than the two series he saw in Cleveland. He'll be throwing to one of the game's best receiving corps, too, which will give Peterson all he can handle.

My eyes will be on Peterson as he goes up against the likes of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Randall Cobb—with the latter being a rookie matchup worthy of watching on its own.  

Prediction

Think about this little tidbit about the Packers and Cardinals: Not only did they combine for 95 points in their playoff matchup two years ago, but that preseason, the two played a 44-37 preseason shootout that saw the Packers' first-team offense score 31 first-half points.

If we're playing percentages, then we might see another high-scoring game Friday at Lambeau Field. But I don't think it'll be quite that high. 

While Kolb gives the Cardinals a quarterback to build around, the Packers' first-team offense has been together for years. Still, both offenses are working out the kinks after missing the entire offseason. 

I say the Packers jump up to an early lead then hold off a second-half Cardinals comeback. Green Bay wins, 28-24.