Sarah: It's a family feud in Green Bay tonight, and the Cardinals are right in the middle of it. The LaFleur brothers go head-to-head in the preseason finale, and we've got the full breakdown.
Tom: That's right, Sarah. Matt and Tom LaFleur coaching against each other for the first time ever. This is must-see football.
Sarah: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network. I'm Sarah, and as always, the great Tom is here. We are your Arizona Cardinals podcast, and today we're previewing the preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers.
Tom: We've got three things on tap for you today. First, the big storylines, including the LaFleur brothers' matchup and what's at stake for the Cardinals.
Sarah: Then, we're breaking down the key players and units to watch, and of course, we're sifting through that massive injury report.
Tom: And finally, we're giving you our keys to the game and a bold prediction. Stick with us.
Sarah: Alright Tom, let's get into it. The Cardinals are 1-2 in the preseason, coming off that ugly 34-13 loss to the Cowboys. But tonight is the dress rehearsal for the regular season. What's the biggest storyline for you?
Tom: It's got to be the LaFleur brothers. Matt and Tom coaching against each other, and they even had a joint practice in front of the family. That's a unique dynamic.
Sarah: It really is. I mean, how often do you see brothers as opposing head coaches in the NFL? This is special.
Tom: Exactly. And it adds a little extra juice to a game that's mostly about roster battles and getting out healthy.
Sarah: Speaking of roster battles, we mentioned yesterday that the Cardinals have too much depth at running back and wide receiver. Is that still the big theme tonight?
Tom: Absolutely. The 53-man roster cuts are coming, and tonight is the last chance for guys to make an impression. That's the real drama here.
Sarah: And we've got some big names on the injury report, too. James Conner, Jeremiyah Love, Carson Beck, all questionable. Trey Benson is on IR. How do you see that affecting the game plan?
Tom: Well, you have to think they'll be cautious with those guys. It's the preseason finale, and you don't want to risk a key player in a meaningless game. But for the guys behind them, it's an opportunity.
Sarah: Right. And we know Gardner Minshew II is expected to start, right? I mean, we saw him go 19-of-23 for 177 yards and a pick against Dallas. He's been efficient.
Tom: He has. And I said yesterday I think he throws two touchdowns tonight. I'm sticking with that.
Sarah: I like that. And against the Packers, who are they really? I mean, they didn't play their starters much in the preseason, but they've got some young guys who can fly.
Tom: Yeah, they're a talented team. But this is more about the Cardinals' own execution. They need to establish the run and protect the football. If they do that, they'll be fine.
Sarah: Alright, we'll get to the keys in a bit. But first, let's talk about the guys we're watching. Stick with us.
Tom: Alright, let's break down the key players and units to watch. Obviously, the running back room is a big one. We've got Tyler Allgeier, Evan Hull, Corey Kiner, Bam Knight, and Tre Stewart all fighting for spots.
Sarah: And we made a prediction earlier this week that Evan Hull makes the roster. He's been solid, but he needs another good showing tonight.
Tom: He does. And Corey Kiner scored a touchdown last week. That's the kind of thing that sticks in the coaches' minds.
Sarah: What about the receiver room? We've got Marvin Harrison Jr. obviously locked in, but guys like Simi Fehoko, Jalen Brooks, Devin Duvernay, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Reggie Virgil, Harrison Wallace III... it's crowded.
Tom: It's a logjam. Fehoko had 42 yards on two catches last week, so he's making his case. But there are only so many spots.
Sarah: And on the offensive line, we just got news that Hjalte Froholdt signed a two-year, $20 million extension. That's a big deal for the center position.
Tom: It is. He's the anchor of that line, and locking him up gives some stability. But the line overall has some questions, especially with injuries.
Sarah: And on defense, we saw Eku Leota get a sack last week. He's been a bright spot. And Owen Pappoe had 10 tackles. Those guys are flying around.
Tom: They are. And we need to see more of that tonight. We predicted two turnovers from the defense, and I think that's realistic against a Packers offense that might be playing a lot of backups.
Sarah: What about Josh Sweat? He was activated from the PUP list. Does he play tonight?
Tom: I doubt it. They'll ease him back. But just having him on the field is a positive sign for that pass rush.
Sarah: And Carson Beck, the rookie quarterback, he's questionable. If he doesn't play, that's more reps for Kedon Slovis and Jacoby Brissett.
Tom: Right. And with Minshew getting the start, the backup battle is really between Beck and Slovis. This is a big night for whoever gets those reps.
Sarah: Alright, we've covered the key players. Now, what are the keys to the game? And more importantly, what's your bold prediction? Stick with us.
Tom: Alright, let's talk keys. For me, it starts with establishing the run. We said we think they'll rush for over 150 yards. That's a key to controlling the game.
Sarah: And protecting the football. We can't have turnovers, especially in the red zone. Last week, Minshew had that pick, and we need to clean that up.
Tom: Exactly. And defensively, we need to get off the field on third down. We can't let their backup quarterback get into a rhythm like Joe Milton did last week.
Sarah: Joe Milton had a big game for the Cowboys. We don't want a repeat of that. So the defense needs to be disruptive.
Tom: And special teams. Chad Ryland has been solid. He hit two field goals last week. We're sticking with him as the kicker for the regular season.
Sarah: Alright, now for the bold prediction. You already said Minshew throws two touchdowns. Anything else?
Tom: I'll go with this: The defense forces two turnovers, just like we said, and one of them is a pick-six. That's the kind of play that can earn a roster spot.
Sarah: I love that. Pick-six alert. And I'll add that Corey Kiner scores another touchdown. He's been impressive.
Tom: That would certainly help his case. Alright, so bottom line: Cardinals win this one, and we get a glimpse of the future.
Sarah: That's all for today's preview, folks. We've covered the LaFleur matchup, the roster battles, and our bold predictions. Now it's time to see it all play out.
Tom: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network. Share this episode with your fellow Cardinals fans.
Sarah: And as always, go Cardinals! We'll see you back here after the game.