Sarah: Simi Fehoko for two touchdowns. Evan Hull with over a hundred rushing yards. But let’s be honest—the defense gave up forty-two points and the secondary got shredded by Kyle McCord. We are back, Arizona fans, and we know you have questions.
Tom: It was an offensive explosion in a losing effort, but when you look at the film, the turnovers tell the real story. Kedon Slovis threw two interceptions in that final preseason game against Green Bay, and that is exactly what we need to talk about today.
Sarah: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, the number one daily sports podcast for NFL fans everywhere. I’m Sarah, and this is your host Tom. Today is Friday, September 1st, 2026, and we are diving straight into the mailbag. The Cardinals are sitting at 1-3? No, wait, that’s not right for today—it’s still preseason context leading into the regular season, but the stakes feel incredibly high after that 42-38 loss to the Packers.
Tom: Right, the record is technically still defining itself as we head into Week 1 of the regular season, but the narrative is set. You saw Simi Fehoko haul in five catches for ninety-four yards and two scores. You saw Evan Hull carry the ball sixteen times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. It looked good on paper, until it didn’t.
Sarah: Exactly. And then there were those interceptions. So here is what we are covering today. First, we’re answering your biggest questions about the quarterback situation and whether Kedon Slovis can fix his ball security before Sunday. Second, we’re looking at the roster battles, specifically who steps up if injuries hit the running back room again. And third, we’ve got a fun hypothetical scenario about what happens if the offense keeps scoring like this but the defense stays leaky. Let’s get to the first question from Marcus in Phoenix.
Tom: Marcus writes in asking: 'Kedon Slovis threw two picks against Green Bay. Is he ready to start the regular season, or do we bring in someone else?' It’s a fair question because, like we discussed yesterday, turnover creation on defense is going to be critical, and Slovis giving the ball away limits our margin for error.
Sarah: I love this question because it cuts to the core of our confidence level. Tom, you mentioned Jacoby Brissett might see action if Slovis struggles early. Does that mean we are planning for Slovis to struggle?
Tom: Not necessarily struggling, but being cautious. Slovis went 21-of-35 for 223 yards, which is decent volume, but those two interceptions against the Packers’ secondary—especially when J. Michael Sturdivant was getting open downfield—show a lack of decision-making under pressure. If the defense doesn’t improve its turnover creation, as we predicted yesterday, Slovis cannot afford to turn the ball over twice in a game.
Sarah: So, the bar is set pretty low for him in terms of mistakes. What about the offensive weapons around him? Did you see Simi Fehoko’s route running? He had two touchdowns, including a big one where he separated completely.
Tom: Fehoko looks like a legitimate deep threat. Five receptions, 94 yards, two scores—that is elite efficiency for a preseason finale. But notice how much space he had. That’s partly because the Packers were playing loose, but it also shows Slovis can make the throw when he reads the coverage correctly. The issue is consistency. Can he make that read every single week?
Sarah: That’s my concern. Against a disciplined team like Detroit or San Francisco, those throws get intercepted. Another listener, @CardinalFaith88, asks: 'With Trey Dean III and Thomas Yassmin on IR, and Collin Oliver out, is the offensive line going to protect Slovis long enough for him to find Fehoko?'
Tom: That is a massive concern. We saw BJ Ojulari get 1.5 sacks against Green Bay, which tells me their defensive front was getting home consistently. With injuries decimating the interior line depth, if Slovis holds the ball too long trying to wait for routes to develop, he is in trouble. We need quicker releases, short game, timing routes. That’s how you protect a quarterback who is prone to mistakes.
Sarah: Quicker releases. Got it. So, the solution isn’t necessarily changing the quarterback, it’s changing the scheme to help him. One more question from Sarah in Tempe: 'Why did Will Sheppard have such a huge impact on special teams? He had an 81-yard punt return touchdown.'
Tom: Sheppard is a playmaker. An 81-yard punt return for a touchdown changes the momentum of a game instantly. It showed us that despite the defensive struggles, there are explosive plays happening across the board. But it also highlights a disparity—we scored 38 points, yet lost by four. Special teams can swing games, but they can’t fix a defense that allows 42 points.
Sarah: Agreed. It’s frustrating because the offense clearly has talent. Let’s move to Segment Two. We’re talking roster battles and depth chart implications. Tyler from Glendale asks: 'Evan Hull had 107 yards and two TDs. With James Conner potentially limited or injured, is Hull the clear workhorse now?'
Tom: Tyler, this aligns perfectly with our prediction from yesterday. Hull carried the ball 16 times and averaged nearly seven yards per carry. That is dominant usage. If Trey Benson is dealing with injury issues, as rumors suggest, Hull is going to see the vast majority of the touches. He’s physical, he breaks tackles, and he finds the end zone.
Sarah: And remember, he scored twice in that game. One rush, one reception? No, both were rushes. That kind of versatility makes him invaluable. But what about the passing game? Who else is catching balls? We saw Simi Fehoko dominate, but who is the safety valve?
Tom: Will Sheppard caught a pass for a 12-yard touchdown, and he’s a return specialist, so he’s a weapon in space. But beyond Fehoko, we need another consistent target. The Cardinals struggled to establish a rhythm outside of the red zone. If the defense continues to allow big plays like J. Michael Sturdivant’s 112-yard game against them, the offense needs to sustain drives, which means finding reliable hands in the middle of the field.
Sarah: Reliable hands. Okay. Another question from @AZGridiron: 'The defensive line looked exhausted. Dani Dennis-Sutton got a sack, but TJ Quinn had 10 tackles. Is the linebacker corps the only thing keeping this defense together?'
Tom: TJ Quinn had 10 tackles, yes, but that often means he’s chasing plays because the front four isn’t generating enough pressure. BJ Ojulari got 1.5 sacks, which is great, but we need consistent penetration. If the defensive line can’t stop the run, linebackers like Quinn are forced to flow sideline-to-sideline, leaving gaps in the middle for receivers like Sturdivant to exploit.
Sarah: So, the front four needs to step up. Elijah Jones had 5 tackles, showing he’s active, but we need more disruption. One last roster question from Mike in Scottsdale: 'Should we worry about the wide receiver depth behind Fehoko? Who else is there?'
Tom: That’s a valid worry. Fehoko was the standout, but if he gets targeted heavily every week, defenses will double-team him. We need other receivers to emerge. The preseason roster cuts finalized on Sunday, so whoever made the 53-man roster has to contribute immediately. There’s no time to develop in Week 1.
Sarah: No time to waste. Alright, Segment Three. We’re doing a fun hypothetical and a lightning round. Here’s the scenario: What if the Cardinals keep their offense scoring 38+ points a game, but the defense allows 40+? Do they win any games? Or is the turnover margin just too steep?
Tom: In the NFL, that’s a tough way to survive. You have to limit mistakes. If Slovis throws two picks every game, even a high-scoring offense will lose. Look at the Packers game—they scored 42, but they also protected the ball better. The Cardinals gave it away twice. That’s the difference.
Sarah: So, the takeaway is: offense wins games, but defense and turnovers win championships. Or at least, keeps you competitive. Let’s do a lightning round. Quick takes. First: Is Simi Fehoko a top-50 wide receiver prospect for fantasy next year? Yes or no?
Tom: Yes. His efficiency was undeniable. Two touchdowns on five catches is insane production.
Sarah: Second: Should the Cardinals start Jacoby Brissett in Week 1 if Slovis is shaky in practice? Yes or no?
Tom: No. Stick with Slovis, but emphasize quick decisions. Experience matters in Week 1.
Sarah: Third: Will Evan Hull finish the season as the leading rusher for Arizona? Yes or no?
Tom: Yes, assuming health. He’s the bell cow.
Sarah: Final question from @PreseasonProphet: 'Did the Cardinals learn anything positive from that 42-38 loss?'
Tom: They learned they can score with anyone. The question is, can they defend? That’s the puzzle to solve before Sunday.
Sarah: That’s all the time we have for today. We talked about Slovis’s ball security, Hull’s emergence, and the defensive struggles. Make sure you subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. Help us spread the word to fellow Cardinals fans!
Tom: Keep the faith, Arizona. Fix the turnovers, and we’ll see you next episode.
Sarah: Go Cardinals! I’m Sarah, this is Tom, and you’re listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. See you soon!