Sarah: Thirty-eight points. In a preseason finale. Against a Packers defense that looked like it was playing for its job. If you think that scoreline means Arizona’s offense is ready to explode on opening day, you haven’t been listening to Tom all week.
Tom: And if you think Evan Hull running for over a hundred yards means we have a solved run game, well, let’s just say the box score tells only half the story of a chaotic 42-38 loss in Green Bay.
Sarah: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every snap, every stat, and every storyline that matters to the fanbase. I’m Sarah, and this is your daily deep dive into the Arizona Cardinals.
Tom: I’m Tom. And after yesterday’s wild shootout at Lambeau Field, we’ve got a lot to unpack. The record sits at 1-3 heading into the regular season window, and frankly, the emotions are mixed.
Sarah: Here is what we are tackling today: First, we’re reacting to the final score and breaking down why Simi Fehoko and Evan Hull were absolute studs while Kedon Slovis struggled with turnovers. Second, we’re looking at the defensive and special teams highlights—and lowlights—that defined this game. And third, we’re looking ahead to the road ahead, analyzing how these preseason lessons translate to the regular season opener.
Tom: It’s going to be a long night for some, but a very exciting one for others. Let’s get right into it.
Sarah: Okay, Tom, let’s start with the headline numbers. The Cardinals lost 42-38. That is an offensive explosion. But when you look at the box score, who actually carried the load for Arizona?
Tom: Well, you have to give credit where it’s due. Evan Hull was electric. He had 16 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. That is elite efficiency. And Simi Fehoko? Five receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Those two guys were unguardable at times.
Sarah: Right, and that brings us to the quarterback play. We talked about this in our preview—Gardner Minshew II started, but Kedon Slovis came in and put up huge numbers too. Slovis finished 21-of-35 for 223 yards. On paper, that looks good.
Tom: On paper, yes. But context matters, Sarah. Slovis threw two interceptions. In a game where the margin for error is zero against a team like Green Bay, those turnovers killed drives. Kyle McCord, the Packers’ QB, went 22-of-35 for 226 yards and four touchdowns. No interceptions. That’s the difference.
Sarah: So, the offense scored 38 points, which is fantastic, but they couldn't stop the Packers from scoring 42. How do you reconcile that? Is the offense actually better than the stats suggest, or did they just out-gun Green Bay by accident?
Tom: I think it’s both. The personnel matchups were favorable for Hull and Fehoko. But defensively, we couldn't generate pressure consistently. Dani Dennis-Sutton had one sack for Green Bay, but BJ Ojulari had 1.5 for Arizona. So Ojulari was effective, but the overall pass rush wasn't disruptive enough to force McCord into mistakes.
Sarah: Let’s talk about the passing attack specifically. Fehoko caught two TDs, including a 41-yarder from Minshew II. Did Minshew look comfortable throwing to him?
Tom: Yes, absolutely. Minshew knows how to hit seams and exploit leverage. When Fehoko gets separation, Minshew delivers. It was a clean connection. But then you look at Slovis. He completed passes, sure, but he also gave the ball away twice. You can't win shootouts with giveaways.
Sarah: We predicted in our last episode that Gardner Minshew II would throw two touchdowns. He did exactly that. So, does that solidify his role as the starter if Carson Beck continues to struggle with injuries?
Tom: It certainly helps his case. With Carson Beck dealing with setbacks and Jacoby Brissett being the veteran backup, Minshew showed poise. But the two picks from Slovis are a red flag. If Slovis starts, he needs to protect the football much more carefully.
Sarah: Fair point. Okay, let’s pivot. We know the offense had its moments. What about the other side of the ball? The defense allowed 42 points. That’s hard to swallow.
Tom: It is. TJ Quinn led the Packers with 10 tackles, showing he was everywhere. For Arizona, Elijah Jones had five tackles. That’s not a bad number, but it doesn’t tell the whole story of a defense that was getting burned deep at times.
Sarah: Before we move on, let’s remember our prediction from two episodes ago: The Cardinals defense would force two turnovers. We were wrong. They didn’t force any.
Tom: Ouch. Yeah, that was a miss. We need to see more aggression from the secondary. Without turnovers, you can’t keep up in a shootout. Green Bay moved the ball efficiently because Arizona couldn't create negative plays.
Sarah: Alright, Tom. That wraps our first segment on the offensive shootout and defensive struggles. Stick with us, because next up, we’re diving into special teams and the key roster battles that decided this game.
Sarah: Welcome back. We’ve talked about the big names, but sometimes the game is won in the trenches or on special teams. Did anyone surprise you in this one?
Tom: Actually, yes. Will Sheppard. He returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. That is a momentum-shifting play. It kept Arizona in the game when they needed it most.
Sarah: Wow, 81 yards! That’s huge. And Chad Ryland handled the kicking duties, making field goals from 35 and 25 yards. He was reliable, but did you feel like the special teams unit overall was solid?
Tom: Ryland was fine. But again, the lack of turnover creation on defense hurts special teams position. If you don't force a pick or a fumble, you’re pinned deep. Sheppard’s return was great, but it was an outlier.
Sarah: Let’s talk roster battles. We had a lot of question marks coming into this game. Josh Jacobs was questionable, James Conner was questionable. Who actually saw meaningful snaps?
Tom: Evan Hull took the bulk of the carries. With 16 rushes, he clearly established himself as a key piece of the backfield rotation. Trey Benson and Xavier Weaver are on injured reserve, so Hull’s performance is even more critical now.
Sarah: Right, and Simi Fehoko seems to be emerging as a primary target. What about the receiving corps beyond him? Did Marvin Harrison Jr. or Michael Wilson make an impact?
Tom: The box score highlights Fehoko, which suggests the other receivers had quieter games. J. Michael Sturdivant had 112 yards for Green Bay, so the Cardinals' coverage on that side wasn't great. We need to see more from Harrison and Wilson in the regular season to stretch the field.
Sarah: Okay, so Hull is a lock for increased usage. What about the offensive line? Paris Johnson Jr. and Hjalte Froholdt were out there. Did the protection hold up for Minshew and Slovis?
Tom: Generally, yes. Slovis had time to throw, which is why he had 223 yards. But when he held the ball too long, he got hit. BJ Ojulari’s 1.5 sacks show that when the protection breaks down, Ojulari is ready to pounce.
Sarah: So, Ojulari is definitely a player to watch. And Elijah Jones leading the defense with five tackles—he seems to be the heartbeat of that unit. Do you think he’s locked into a starting role?
Tom: He’s a strong candidate. His tackle count is solid, but again, without the playmaking around him, it’s tough to say he’s fully 'locked in.' He needs help from the pass rush.
Sarah: Got it. So, Hull is rising, Fehoko is proven, and Ojulari is disruptive. But the defense still has work to do. Let’s wrap up this segment by looking at the injury report. Marlon Jones is on IR, Trey Benson is on IR. How does that affect the depth chart?
Tom: It creates holes. With Benson gone, Hull’s role is expanded. With Weaver gone, the WR depth is thinner. This makes the health of guys like Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Darian Kinnard crucial for the regular season.
Sarah: Excellent analysis, Tom. We’ll be right back after this break. Don’t go anywhere, because next up, we’re looking at the road ahead and what this loss means for the Cardinals' regular season outlook.
Sarah: We are back. So, the preseason is over. The record is 1-3. The offense scored 38, the defense gave up 42. What is the takeaway for the regular season opener?
Tom: The takeaway is that the offense has firepower, but it’s inefficient. You cannot win 42-38 in the regular season unless your defense steps up. The turnover margin was the killer here. Slovis’s two INTs vs. McCord’s zero INTs.
Sarah: So, if the defense doesn't improve its turnover creation, we predicted earlier that the Cardinals will struggle. Does that prediction still stand?
Tom: Absolutely. Our prediction from last week stands. If the defense doesn't force two turnovers, this team will struggle to stay competitive in high-scoring games. The gap between 38 points and 42 points is often determined by one big play—a pick-six or a forced fumble.
Sarah: And speaking of big plays, Will Sheppard’s punt return was incredible. Can special teams be a weapon for Arizona throughout the season?
Tom: If they can replicate that energy, yes. But consistency is key. One 81-yard return is great, but you need to prevent the opponent from having big returns too. Green Bay’s Will Sheppard also returned a punt for a TD. Both teams’ special teams were explosive.
Sarah: That’s a scary thought. Two punt return TDs in one game. Okay, let’s look at the quarterbacks again. Carson Beck is dealing with a setback. Jacoby Brissett is the veteran backup. Where does this leave Kedon Slovis?
Tom: Slovis is in a precarious spot. He showed flashes of brilliance with 223 yards, but the two interceptions are concerning. If Beck misses time, Slovis might get the nod, but he needs to prove he can manage the game better than he did against Green Bay.
Sarah: So, patience is required? Or should we expect a quick change if things go south early in a regular-season game?
Tom: In the NFL, patience is rare. If Slovis turns the ball over early, the coaches will look at Brissett. Experience matters in close games. But Minshew II also played well, so it’s a three-way battle essentially.
Sarah: Fascinating. Okay, Tom, final thoughts. What is your concrete prediction for the regular season opener based on this performance?
Tom: I predict the Cardinals will win a close game if their defense forces at least one turnover. If they don't, they lose another shootout. The offense is too potent to ignore, but the defense is too leaky to trust yet.
Sarah: A volatile start to the regular season outlook. We’ll see if Hull, Fehoko, and the rest can turn this around. Thanks for joining us on this reaction episode.
Sarah: To recap: The Cardinals fell 42-38 to the Packers in a preseason thriller, highlighted by Simi Fehoko’s two TDs and Evan Hull’s 107 rushing yards, but marred by Kedon Slovis’s two interceptions and a defense that couldn't force turnovers.
Tom: Exactly. The offense is scoring, but the defense needs to step up. If they don't, those losses will pile up.
Sarah: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with a fellow Cardinals fan!
Tom: Keep it loud, keep it proud. Go Cardinals.