Sarah: Simi Fehoko with two touchdowns, Evan Hull exploding for over a hundred yards on the ground, and Kedon Slovis throwing two costly interceptions in a heart-stopping 42-38 loss to Green Bay. It was an offensive explosion that felt like a preview of greatness, but also a warning label for the defense.
Tom: And it’s not just about the score, Sarah. It’s about the inefficiency. We talked about this yesterday—turnovers are going to kill you in the NFL. If you can’t protect the ball, no amount of explosive plays from Simi or Hull will keep you in games against elite teams.
Sarah: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every snap, every roster move, and every battle for a spot on the 53-man roster. I’m Sarah, and this is your daily Cardinals deep dive.
Tom: I’m Tom. And today, we are looking at the cracks in the foundation. We’ve got the quarterback controversy brewing, the wide receiver room crowded to seven guys, and a secondary that needs to step up if they want to stop bleeding points.
Sarah: Here is what we’re covering today: First, the biggest question mark at QB—is Kedon Slovis ready for the regular season grind, or is Jacoby Brissett lurking? Second, how does Arizona manage a seven-wide receiver roster, and who is most likely to get cut? And third, the defensive front versus the offensive line battle that could define their next game.
Tom: Exactly. We have the data from the preseason finale, the injury reports, and the headlines. Let’s get into it.
Sarah: Let’s start with the headline that’s been circulating: Jacoby Brissett is learning quickly under Tom LaFleur after his holdout. But then you look at the box score from Sunday night against Green Bay. Kedon Slovis went 21-of-35 for 223 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Tom: Right. And here is the nuance people miss. Slovis had two INTs. That is a hard habit to break once the regular season hits. You saw the first one—it was a read where he forced the throw into tight coverage. The second one? A miscommunication on the route tree. In the preseason, those might be forgiven. In Week 1, those are turnovers that end drives.
Sarah: But wait, Tom. He also connected with Simi Fehoko for two scores. One was a 41-yard strike. Simi looked like the most dynamic weapon on the field. Isn't that enough to keep Slovis starting?
Tom: It’s enough to keep him *in* the conversation, yes. But look at the efficiency. 223 yards isn’t bad, but against a team like Green Bay, who gave up 226 passing yards to Kyle McCord, Slovis didn’t capitalize on the mismatches as consistently as he needed to. Meanwhile, Brissett is picking up the system. Headlines say he’s 'learning quickly.' That implies stability.
Sarah: So you’re saying the veteran presence matters more right now? Especially with James Conner on IR and Josh Jacobs out? The offense needs to be balanced, not just reliant on Slovis’s arm talent.
Tom: Precisely. With Conner on IR, Evan Hull has taken the primary workhorse role. Hull rushed 16 times for 107 yards and two TDs in that game. That is huge. But if Slovis is getting pressured because of protection issues, or making quick decisions that lead to picks, Brissett’s ability to manage the clock and hit the check-down becomes invaluable. I think Slovis starts, but Brissett’s value goes way up if Slovis struggles early.
Sarah: That feels like the realistic path. Slovis gets the nod because of upside, but if he throws two picks in the first quarter of Week 1, we see Brissett. And remember our prediction from Friday? We said the Cardinals would struggle if they couldn't limit turnovers. This game proved us right.
Tom: We were right. And it wasn’t just the INTs. It was the lack of pressure on the other side. BJ Ojulari had 1.5 sacks, which is great, but did anyone else get home? Dani Dennis-Sutton had one for Green Bay. The pass rush needs to be consistent, not sporadic.
Sarah: Let’s pivot to the skill positions. The Cardinals kept seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster. That is unusual. Why seven? And who is fighting for that seventh spot?
Tom: It’s about depth and special teams value. You have Simi Fehoko, who showed big-play ability. You have Tip Reiman, who is listed as Out, so he’s probably injured reserve or a high-upside stash. Then you have the veterans and the rookies. Keeping seven means they are protecting against injuries, especially with players like Collin Oliver and Savion Williams already on IR.
Sarah: So if Tip Reiman is out, does that mean someone else gets the nod? Who is the most likely candidate to be the odd man out among the active WRs?
Tom: Usually, it comes down to special teams contribution. If a receiver doesn’t block well on punts or kick returns, he’s in danger. J. Michael Sturdivant had 112 yards for Green Bay, showing what these slots can do. The Cardinals need someone who can replicate that threat. I’d bet on the rookie who can contribute on coverage units being safe, while the veteran who hasn’t shown much speed gets cut.
Sarah: Makes sense. Speed kills, but blocking keeps you on the field. Okay, let’s move to Segment Two. We need to talk about the running back room beyond Evan Hull. With James Conner on IR, Hull is the guy. But who is behind him?
Tom: Hull had 16 carries. That’s a lot of touches. You can’t expect him to do that every week without support. Trey Benson is usually the backup, but he’s dealing with injuries. Jeremiyah Love is questionable. The depth chart is thin.
Sarah: If Hull goes down, who steps in? Is there a viable option? Or are they looking at a committee approach with less proven talent?
Tom: They’ll likely go with a committee. Maybe bring up a practice squad player. The key is avoiding another injury to Hull. If he gets hurt, the offense loses its identity. They relied on him to balance the attack. Without him, Slovis has to carry more weight, which leads back to our turnover problem.
Sarah: It’s a precarious situation. Let’s talk defense. Elijah Jones led the team with five tackles in the loss. TJ Quinn had 10 for Green Bay. The defense gave up 42 points. What is the main issue?
Tom: Leverage and tackling. You give up 42 points, and you only have one sack from BJ Ojulari? That’s a pass protection failure on the other side, sure, but your linebackers aren’t filling gaps. Elijah Jones had five tackles, which is good, but he shouldn’t have to clean up that much mess. The secondary is getting burned by playmakers like Sturdivant.
Sarah: Sturdivant had six catches for 112 yards. That’s a mismatch. How do the Cardinals fix that? Do they switch coverages?
Tom: They need to use more zone concepts to keep eyes on the ball, rather than man-to-man where single coverage gets exploited. Also, pressuring the quarterback more. If Kyle McCord had to throw faster, maybe Sturdivant doesn’t get open. But with only one sack, the pressure was non-existent.
Sarah: So, more pass rush, better zone coverage. Simple on paper, hard to execute. Let’s talk about the special teams. Will Sheppard had an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown. That’s a game-changer. Does that save them in close games?
Tom: It definitely helps. But you can’t rely on a 40-yard punt return average to win games. It’s too volatile. Chad Ryland made two field goals, including a 35-yarder. The kicking game was solid, but the rest of the unit needs to be more consistent.
Sarah: Agreed. Special teams points are free points, but you still need to generate offense. Let’s move to Segment Three. Roster cuts are done, but who is trending up and who is trending down based on this performance?
Tom: Trending up: Simi Fehoko. Two touchdowns, 94 yards. He proved he can beat you deep. Evan Hull is also trending up. 107 yards on 16 carries shows he can handle the load. These two are locks for the starting lineup.
Sarah: What about trending down? Kedon Slovis had two INTs. Is he in trouble?
Tom: He’s not in immediate trouble, but he’s on notice. Every interception is a strike against him. If Brissett practices well this week, Slovis’s margin for error shrinks. I’d say Slovis is trending slightly down compared to his preseason hype.
Sarah: And who else? Maybe some of the defensive backs?
Tom: The entire secondary is trending down. Giving up 42 points and allowing big plays to Sturdivant and Sheppard is unacceptable. Unless they adjust quickly, expect criticism from the coaching staff all week.
Sarah: Final thoughts. The Cardinals are 1-3 in preseason, but the regular season starts soon. What is your final prediction for the upcoming matchup?
Tom: I predict they will struggle in the first quarter. If they don’t limit turnovers, they will fall behind early. But if Hull runs effectively and Fehoko stretches the field, they can keep it close. However, without more pass rush, they won’t win the turnover battle.
Sarah: Great analysis, Tom. So, watch the turnovers, trust Evan Hull, and hope the defense wakes up. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Tom: Subscribe, rate, and review. We’ll see you next time.
Sarah: Red Sea Rising!