Sarah: Simi Fehoko for ninety-four yards and two touchdowns in a forty-two to thirty-eight shootout, while the defense couldn’t get off the field to save their lives. That was the Arizona Cardinals’ preseason finale against Green Bay, and if you thought we were done talking about this team, you are dead wrong.
Tom: We are definitely not done. We have to look at the tape, Sarah. Because on paper, that loss looks ugly, but on film? There are flashes of brilliance from Evan Hull and Simi Fehoko that suggest this offense can keep pace with anyone. But then there’s the other side of the ball.
Sarah: Right. And let’s not forget the turnover issues. Kedon Slovis threw two interceptions against Kyle McCord, which brings us right back to our predictions from last week. Tom, you said they would struggle if the defense didn't improve its turnover creation. Well, they didn't just fail to create, they lost the football themselves.
Tom: It’s a double-edged sword. You’re looking at a high-scoring affair where both teams traded blows. The Packers won forty-two to thirty-eight, but the Cardinals scored thirty-eight points in a preseason game. That is significant. Today, we’re breaking down the offensive efficiency, the defensive breakdowns that led to those big plays for Green Bay, and what this means for the quarterback competition heading into Week One.
Sarah: Here is what we are covering today. First, we are going deep on the offensive film, specifically looking at how Simi Fehoko and Evan Hull exploited the Packers' secondary and front seven. Second, we will scrutinize the defense, focusing on why BJ Ojulari’s sack wasn't enough to stop the bleeding. And finally, we’ll talk about the quarterback situation: is Kedon Slovis ready for the regular season, or is Jacoby Brissett the safer bet?
Tom: Exactly. And remember, we had a prediction that Corey Kiner would score another touchdown. While he wasn't the primary focus of this game's box score, his presence in the red zone was felt. We’ll touch on that. But mostly, it’s about the fundamentals. Are the Cardinals playing well enough to win a close one in September?
Sarah: Let’s get into it. Segment One: The Offensive Tape. Tom, start us off. What did you see from the Cardinals' offense in that forty-two to thirty-eight loss?
Tom: Well, Sarah, you have to give credit where it is due. The offensive line held up better than expected against Dani Dennis-Sutton and the Packers' pass rush. Kedon Slovis finished twenty-one for thirty-five for two hundred and twenty-three yards. That’s a solid completion percentage. But the real story was the run game.
Sarah: Evan Hull was electric. Sixteen carries for one hundred and seven yards and two touchdowns. That is over six yards per carry. How did they manage that against a Green Bay front that looked physical?
Tom: It was leverage and vision. Hull wasn't just running straight ahead; he was cutting back into the void left by linebackers chasing the play. When you look at his first touchdown, a forty-seven-yard rush, you see him hit the hole, wait for Paris Johnson Jr. to seal the edge, and then accelerate. It’s classic inside-zone execution.
Sarah: And Simi Fehoko! Five receptions for ninety-four yards and two scores. One of them was a forty-one-yard strike from Gardner Minshew II. I know Minshew got some reps, but Fehoko seems to be the guy who has figured out the timing.
Tom: Fehoko is a matchup nightmare because of his route-running precision. Against man coverage, he created separation at the top of his stem. The forty-one-yard touchdown came when he ran a post-corner route, beat his defender inside, and caught the ball in stride. He didn't slow down after the catch. That’s YAC (Yards After Catch) ability.
Sarah: But here’s the concern, Tom. Slovis threw two interceptions. In a game where every possession matters, turning the ball over twice is fatal. Did you see those plays? Were they mental errors or bad throws?
Tom: They were mental errors. Slovis was reading the safety help too late. On one interception, he locked onto a receiver in single coverage and didn't account for the free safety rotating over the top. He forced a throw into tight window. It’s a rookie mistake, and frankly, it’s a costly one.
Sarah: So, does this validate our earlier talk about Jacoby Brissett potentially seeing more action? If Slovis continues to make these reads, do you think the coaching staff pulls him?
Tom: I think Brissett provides stability. His experience allows him to check protections and audible out of traps. Slovis has the arm talent, but he needs to slow the game down mentally. If Slovis starts the season with two picks in his first game, yes, Brissett might get the nod. It’s about minimizing mistakes.
Sarah: Okay, so the offense can score, but they need to take care of the football. Let’s move to Segment Two: The Defensive Breakdown. This is where things got messy for Arizona.
Tom: Absolutely. The Cardinals gave up forty-two points. Kyle McCord threw for four touchdowns and two hundred and twenty-six yards. That sounds like a lot, but look at the context. Green Bay also had Jaden Nixon rushing for forty-four yards and Will Sheppard returning a punt eighty-one yards for a touchdown.
Sarah: The punt return touchdown is huge. Will Sheppard went eighty-one yards. That’s special teams failure. Did the defense leave the punt return unit exposed?
Tom: It’s always a combination. The punt returner found a seam, but the coverage team missed tackles. However, defensively, the issue was consistent pressure. BJ Ojulari had one and a half sacks, which is great, but he was isolated. The rest of the defensive line couldn't generate interior push.
Sarah: TJ Quinn had ten tackles for Green Bay. He was everywhere. How did the Cardinals' linebackers, like Zaven Collins or Baron Browning, handle him?
Tom: They were occupied by the run game. Every time Evans Hull broke through, a linebacker had to flow over to stop it, leaving soft spots in the middle for McCord to exploit. It’s a schematic issue. You can’t defend the run effectively and still drop eight guys in coverage. They had to choose, and they chose wrong.
Sarah: And we predicted that the defense would force two turnovers, including a pick-six. Instead, they forced zero. Elijah Jones had five tackles, but no impact plays. Is this a talent issue or a scheme issue?
Tom: I think it’s a mix. The secondary, led by Budda Baker, is talented, but they were playing from behind too often. When you’re trailing, you play prevent defense, which invites big plays. Also, without Jeremiyah Love fully healthy—he was questionable—there was a gap in the linebacker depth.
Sarah: That injury concern is real. If Love doesn’t go, who steps up? Jack Gibbens? Eku Leota? They need someone who can fill gaps quickly.
Tom: Correct. And don’t forget the pass rush. Dani Dennis-Sutton only had one sack for Green Bay, but he pressured Slovis multiple times. The Cardinals’ offensive line protected Slovis okay, but the defense couldn't replicate that pressure. It’s a vicious cycle.
Sarah: So, to recap: The defense allowed big plays both in the air and on special teams, failed to generate turnovers, and relied too heavily on BJ Ojulari for disruption. Big problems to fix before Week One.
Tom: Big problems. But remember, this was a preseason game. Coaches were testing personnel. The real test comes when the stakes are higher. Still, the habits formed now will stick.
Sarah: Stick with us, because in Segment Three, we’re doing a deep dive on one player who defined this game, and what his performance means for the rest of the season.
Tom: I want to talk about Simi Fehoko. We mentioned his stats, but let’s look at why he was so effective. He targeted Gardner Minshew II for one of his touchdowns. Why Minshew?
Sarah: Minshew has been getting reps because Carson Beck is dealing with a setback. With Jacoby Brissett as the starter, Beck is third string. So Minshew was under center. Did Fehoko work specifically with Minshew during camp?
Tom: It shows up in the chemistry. Minshew places the ball exactly where Fehoko wants it. Slovis, on the other hand, sometimes puts the ball on the ground or slightly behind. For a receiver like Fehoko, who relies on catching the ball in stride, that placement is critical.
Sarah: This ties back to our prediction about Jacoby Brissett. If Slovis struggles with accuracy and decision-making, does Fehoko thrive more with Brissett or Minshew?
Tom: Brissett is the most accurate passer in the group. If Fehoko is going to be a staple in this offense, he needs the quarterback to trust him in critical situations. Slovis threw two INTs; Brissett likely wouldn’t have made those throws. So, yes, Fehoko benefits from the veteran presence.
Sarah: What about Marvin Harrison Jr.? He wasn't the leader in receiving yards today, but he’s the number one target. Did he have any standout moments?
Tom: Harrison had quiet numbers, but he drew double coverage. That opens up space for Fehoko and Michael Wilson. You can’t ignore Harrison. Even when he’s not putting up huge stats, his presence alters the defensive scheme. The Packers had to key on him, which helped Hull and Fehoko.
Sarah: So, the takeaway is: The offense works when the QB makes smart decisions and the RB/WR duo finds seams. But the defense needs to wake up. Specifically, creating turnovers.
Tom: Exactly. And that brings us to our final prediction for this episode. I think the Cardinals will struggle in their first regular-season game if they don’t limit turnovers to one or fewer. If Slovis plays, expect a low-scoring affair unless the defense steps up.
Sarah: I agree. And if Brissett starts, I think we see more of Evan Hull carrying the load, given the injuries to James Conner and Trey Benson on IR. Hull is the workhorse now.
Tom: That’s right. The Cardinals are 1-3 entering the regular season, but the foundation is there. It’s just about execution. Thanks for watching the film with us.
Sarah: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network on your favorite platform. Share this episode with a fellow Cardinals fan!
Tom: We’ll be back next week with our Week One preview. Keep your heads up, Cardinals fans.
Sarah: One Sky, One Team, One Goal. Go Cardinals!