GREEN BAY HEADS WEST TO FACE ARIZONA
- The Packers travel over 1,800 miles for their third exhibition contest against the Arizona Cardinals, a trip they will repeat in Week 17.
- In many ways, this may be the team's best test of the preseason. For starters, it is the first road game of 2009, giving the team a valuable look at how its younger players will perform in a hostile environment.
- In Arizona, Green Bay faces one of the league's most explosive aerial attacks, led by QB Kurt Warner and WR Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals are coming off an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII.
- As has been the case under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, primary starters will see their most extended action of the preseason as well. Traditionally, they have played into the second half.
- Both the No. 1 offense and defense will look to maintain the momentum of the first two exhibition games in what should be its most extended 'live' action until the regular-season opener Sept. 13 vs. Chicago.
- It will be the first trip to the University of Phoenix Stadium for the Green Bay franchise. It was an overtime away from playing at the state-of-the-art facility in Super Bowl XLII.
- Arizona lost at home, 17-6, to the San Diego Chargers this past Saturday after dropping its preseason opener in Pittsburgh a week earlier. It will wrap up the preseason Sept. 3 in Denver.
- Old-time rivals dating back to the days when the Cardinals franchise called Chicago home, Friday night marks the 21st preseason meeting between the two franchises. Green Bay holds a 14-6 advantage.