NFL betting picks: Best bets for Packers vs Cardinals
Zach Brunner provides his best NFL betting picks for Thursday Night Football, including the total and three player props.
Under 50.5 total points
With the Packers’ top two wide receivers on the Reserve/Covid-19 list, this is expected to be a game where Green Bay utilizes its running back duo as often as possible. The Cardinals allow 5.0 yards per carry, which is the second-most in the NFL.
This should allow the Packers to run the ball methodically down the field, control the time of possession and keep the Cardinals’ offense on the sideline as much as possible, limiting the number of possessions and scoring chances in the game.
Kyler Murray over 27.5 rushing yards
The Packers’ defense struggled to contain Taylor Heinicke on the ground last week, allowing him to run for 95 yards. Murray is clearly a better runner than Heinicke, despite being held in check on the ground recently.
However, the Packers have edge rushers that will try to make Murray uncomfortable all night. When they get close and flush Murray out of the pocket, he should be more than capable of moving the chains a few times with his legs.
James Conner over 48.5 rushing yards
Conner has found a way to stay healthy and be effective for the Cardinals. He has run for 50 or more yards in three of the past four games.
Conner should continue to get the carries on Thursday night, and the Packers will be more concerned with the receiving weapons, due to the injuries to the Green Bay secondary. Picking Conner to score is also a wise bet, after he has done so in four of the past five games.
A.J. Green over 45.5 receiving yards
This season is the first time in Green’s career that he has not been the top receiving focus for defenses, and he is enjoying it. The pattern should continue in this game, with Packers’ rookie Eric Stokes chasing star receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Green has 66 or more receiving yards in four of the past five weeks, and should find himself open a decent amount again in this game.