Sarah: Tom, the Cowboys came into State Farm Stadium and dropped 34 on us. But the real story is what we didn't see -- and who's on the bubble because of it.
Tom: Yeah, that was a rough one. But for a preseason game, there's a lot to unpack. Let's get into it.
Sarah: You're locked in with Beatline, the podcast where we give you the real talk on your Arizona Cardinals. I'm Sarah, and as always, my guy Tom is here breaking down the tape.
Tom: What's up, Cardinals fans? We're coming off that 34-13 loss to Dallas, and we've got three things on the table today.
Sarah: First, we're reacting to the final score and breaking down the offense -- Minshew's night, the run game, and what it means for the roster. Then, we're looking at the defensive standouts and the key battles happening on that side of the ball. And finally, we're looking ahead to the Packers and what we need to see next week.
Tom: Let's start with the final score. Cowboys 34, Cardinals 13. It wasn't pretty, but remember, this is preseason. The scoreboard matters less than the individual battles.
Sarah: Alright, Tom, let's talk offense. Gardner Minshew came in and went 19 of 23 for 177 yards and a pick. That's efficient, but where's the touchdown?
Tom: Exactly. He was dinking and dunking, but the deep shots weren't there. The one interception was a bad decision, but overall he looked comfortable in the pocket. He's clearly the backup, and that's fine.
Sarah: And we said on Thursday that Minshew would throw two touchdowns against the Cowboys. That didn't happen. We were wrong on that one.
Tom: We were. But he did move the chains. The run game was a bright spot though -- Evan Hull had 11 carries for 51 yards. He's making a case for a roster spot.
Sarah: Corey Kiner punched in a one-yard touchdown run late. That's the kind of production we talked about on the mailbag episode. He's fighting for that third-string job.
Tom: And the receiving corps -- Simi Fehoko had two catches for 42 yards, including a big play. But the headline is Marvin Harrison Jr. He's been all smiles in preseason, and we're expecting a breakout year.
Sarah: He's looked sharp, but he didn't play much. The starters got limited snaps, which is typical. What did you make of the offensive line?
Tom: They gave up a sack, but Minshew had time for the most part. The backups struggled a bit, but that's expected. The real concern is the depth behind the starters.
Sarah: So, Tom, are you worried about the offense heading into the regular season, or is this just preseason noise?
Tom: I'm not worried about the starters. The offense will be fine with Kyler Murray under center. But the backups? There are some serious roster battles to watch.
Sarah: Stick with us, because after the break, we're breaking down the defense and special teams.
Sarah: Alright, Tom, let's flip to the defense. The Cowboys put up 34 points, but there were some individual bright spots. Owen Pappoe led the team with 10 tackles. That's a statement.
Tom: Pappoe was flying around the field. He's making a strong case for more playing time. And Eku Leota had a sack -- he's been impressive all preseason.
Sarah: We made a bold prediction on Friday that the defense would intercept Joe Milton twice. That didn't happen. He threw two touchdowns, but no picks.
Tom: Yeah, we missed on that one. But the defense did force some punts. The issue was the big plays -- Milton hit Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard touchdown and Camden Brown for a 77-yard pass. That's the stuff that keeps you up at night.
Sarah: The secondary got burned. But there's a lot of competition in the defensive backfield. Who stood out to you?
Tom: I liked what I saw from the young corners, but they were inconsistent. The safety play was shaky without Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, who was questionable. That's something to monitor.
Sarah: Now, special teams. Chad Ryland hit two field goals, including a 38-yarder and a 31-yarder. We predicted he'd be the kicker, and he's looking solid.
Tom: He's been automatic. That's a good sign. But Blake Gillikin was questionable with an injury, so we need to watch that punting situation.
Sarah: Let's talk roster battles. We said on the mailbag episode that the Cardinals would keep six receivers. After tonight, who's making the cut?
Tom: Fehoko helped himself. Jalen Brooks had a quiet night. It's still a toss-up for the last couple spots. And at running back, we said Corey Kiner would make the roster as the third-string back. He scored tonight, so that helps his case.
Sarah: But there's a new wrinkle -- Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is likely out for the rest of the preseason. That opens the door for someone like Evan Hull.
Tom: Exactly. Hull had 51 yards tonight. He's making it a real competition. And with Trey Benson questionable, the running back room is suddenly uncertain.
Sarah: Before we move on, there's also that off-field stuff -- the investigation into Ryan Gold's alleged betting. That's a cloud hanging over the organization.
Tom: Yeah, that's not good. But on the field, the defense has some pieces. They just need to be more consistent. Let's look ahead to the Packers.
Sarah: Next up, the Cardinals travel to Green Bay to face the Packers on August 29th. What's your early read on that matchup?
Tom: The Packers are a tough team, but it's preseason, so it's all about the backups. We need to see better discipline -- fewer penalties, no turnovers.
Sarah: We also need to see the starters get more reps. Marvin Harrison Jr. needs to build on that chemistry with Kyler Murray. And we need to see the defense get off the field on third down.
Tom: I'll be watching the offensive line. They need to prove they can protect the quarterback against a good pass rush. And I want to see more from the rookie running backs -- who's going to step up with Love out?
Sarah: Tom, give me one thing you're most excited about for the Packers game.
Tom: I want to see Minshew bounce back. He's the backup, but he needs to show he can lead a scoring drive. That's what separates the roster locks from the guys on the bubble.
Sarah: Alright, that's a wrap on today's episode. Quick recap: Cowboys 34, Cardinals 13, but we saw some good individual performances. We'll be back next week with more reaction. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review. And share this episode with a fellow Cardinals fan.
Tom: And remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Let's go Cardinals!