Game Prediction: GB 31, ARZ 10

Update: Ferguson has returned to practice and though he is listed as questionable, he is expected to be able to play. The game will be very hot - over 100 degrees - which could mean that running Ahman Green all afternoon is not an option. Ferguson is still bothered some by his ankle and knee injuries but should be good for at least a few catches. If the game gets out of hand in favor of the Packers, he may not have as much involvement. Both Bryan Gilmore and Larry Foster have not practiced and are unlikely to play.

The Packers went into last week's game 0-1 in their division and with Donald Driver out and Robert Ferguson ailing. They left with a strong 31-6 taming of the Lions to maintain the proper balance in the division and prevent Detroit from thinking that they were actually going to matter this season.

Brett Favre only threw for 132 yards but had two touchdowns including one to Robert Ferguson (3-29) who later re-aggravated his knee injury from the previous week. Ferguson will be evaluated later in the week. Antonio Freeman (4-32) was not that productive, but he did not need to be and still provided the hometown fans with a momentary thrill of yesteryear. Javon Walker (2-25) finally got a start thanks to Driver's absence but was not a factor.

The passing game was not really needed in light of Ahman Green's 23 carry, 160 yard effort with one touchdown on a 65 yard run to open the scoring when the game barely began. Coupling that with a dominating defensive effort that netted three interceptions and one late score and the game was well in hand.

That defense now gets to play in Arizona this week, the same team that made Detroit look like a powerhouse the previous week. In the vernacular of bettors - 'cha-ching!'

TE Wesley Walls left the game last week with a bad hamstring and will likely miss this week as he rests it.

Arizona is currently $12 million under the salary cap and are apparently saving that money to buy tickets and accommodations to the playoffs for anyone who actually sits through an entire Cardinals game. It would be the only way that season ticket holders can see a post-season game. It may be the only way that season ticket holders can actually see a real football game.

As a prognosticator during the times of league parity, let me tell you - the Arizonas of the NFL are too few.

While the Cardinals put up a seemingly good fight in Detroit in week one using Anquan "Woo-Hoo" Boldin, they returned home to lose 38-0 to the Seahawks. Note - Boldin still led receivers but this time with eight catches for 62 yards and no scores. In a game that they trailed 24-0 at the halftime.

Rookie WR Bryant Johnson (7-68) got his first start thanks to other receiver injuries and responded by fumbling away his first catch.

The offense is now -9 in takeaways and last week had turnovers in each of their first four possessions.

Emmitt Smith had 54 yards on 14 carries which extrapolated means he will reach his goal of 20,000 rushing yards about mid-season of the year 2007 provided he stays healthy. Marcel Smith does relieve Smith as expected, but so far that has totaled only eight runs for 25 yards.

Jeff Blake left the game with a bruised heel and 55 yards passing with two interceptions, but is expected to play this week.

There is always a fear that a mismatch creates complacency which leads to an upset, but the Packers cannot afford a loss thanks to the Vikings. Donald Driver is still out, but the Seahawks blasted Arizona last week even though Mike Holmgren made Koren Robinson sit on the bench all game and write "I will not be late for meetings" a thousand times. Look for ample use of Ahman Green again with a likely defensive score. Green Bay already beat Detroit handily and now faces the team that Detroit beat.