Vanessa: Four touchdowns in a single preseason game. A punt return for a score that had Lambeau shaking. And a quarterback who looked like he’d been starting for years, not just weeks. If you missed the fireworks in Green Bay on Saturday night, you need to listen right now.
Nick: It was chaotic. It was high-scoring. It was 42-38 against Arizona, and it left us with more questions than answers about the defense, but plenty of excitement about the offense. Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Nick.
Vanessa: And I’m Vanessa! Today is Friday, August 31st, 2026. The final roster cuts are done, Josh Jacobs is out, Kaleb Johnson is in, and we are breaking down the film from that wild 42-38 win over the Cardinals. We’ve got three things for you today: first, we’re diving deep into Kyle McCord’s four-touchdown masterclass and what it tells us about his readiness. Second, we’re looking at the defensive vulnerabilities that almost cost us this game, specifically focusing on BJ Ojulari and the pass rush. And third, we’re discussing the new running back committee dynamic with Evan Hull, Jaden Nixon, and the arrival of Kaleb Johnson.
Nick: Exactly. And remember, our prediction from yesterday was that Trey Smack would be the starting kicker, and he proved us right with those kicks, including the extra point after Will Sheppard’s massive punt return. Let’s get into the tape.
Vanessa: Let’s start with the headline act: Kyle McCord. Four touchdown passes against the Cardinals. That’s 22-of-35, 226 yards. When you look at the film, what jumps out to you? Is this just preseason filler, or did we see something special?
Nick: Well, Vanessa, you have to separate the noise from the technique. McCord wasn’t throwing laser beams all day, but he was making smart decisions. Look at the touchdown to J. Michael Sturdivant. He read the safety rotation perfectly, waited for the window to open, and delivered a strike on time. That’s football IQ, not just arm talent.
Vanessa: Right, and Sturdivant was huge too—six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. He seemed to be the primary target early on.
Nick: He was. But here’s the thing that surprised me: McCord also hit Will Sheppard twice. Once for a 12-yard touchdown and then later... well, actually, Sheppard’s big play was a punt return, but he caught a screen too. The connection between McCord and the slot receivers was very smooth. It suggests that if Jordan Love sits out or plays limited snaps next week, McCord has the trust of the offense.
Vanessa: Wait, hold on. You said McCord hit Sheppard for a touchdown? The stats show Sheppard had an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown. Did McCord throw a TD to him as well?
Nick: No, my mistake in phrasing. McCord threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Will Sheppard. The punt return was a separate event. So yes, two different types of scores for Sheppard. That versatility is exactly what Coach LaFleur loves. It forces defenses to respect every phase of the field.
Vanessa: Okay, so McCord threw four total: one to Sturdivant, two to Sheppard, and one to... wait, let me check the box score mentally. Who else? Oh right, the other one must have been implied or I missed a detail. But the key takeaway is efficiency. 22-of-35 is solid.
Nick: It is efficient. And he didn’t turn it over. That’s crucial. Against a team like Arizona, who has some speed on the edges, protecting the ball is number one. McCord showed poise in the pocket. He wasn’t rattled by the pressure. Although, we’ll get to the pressure in a minute...
Vanessa: I can feel you getting dark there, Nick. Talk to me about the offensive line. They gave up some hits, didn’t they? Because we know BJ Ojulari had 1.5 sacks for Arizona.
Nick: They did. And while McCord was accurate, the protection wasn’t perfect. There were moments where the edge sets were wide, allowing defenders like Ojulari to penetrate. However, McCord’s quick release mitigated some of that. He got the ball out before the rush could develop consistently. That’s a good sign for his development—he’s learning to manage the pocket.
Vanessa: So, McCord looks ready. What about the run game? Jaden Nixon had 9 carries for 44 yards. Not spectacular, but not terrible either.
Nick: Nixon is still finding his rhythm. The blocking schemes weren’t always clear-cut because Arizona was showing various fronts. But the real story there is the depth chart. With Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list, the Packers brought in Kaleb Johnson from Pittsburgh. Nixon’s role might evolve, but for now, he’s providing depth. We’ll see how Johnson fits in once the regular season starts.
Vanessa: Got it. So McCord is poised, the passing game is clicking, but the run game needs work. Let’s shift gears to the other side of the ball. This game ended 42-38. That’s a shootout. What did the defense show?
Nick: The defense struggled with leverage. Arizona’s Kedon Slovis completed 21-of-35 for 223 yards and a touchdown, but the issue wasn’t just completion percentage—it was explosive plays. Simi Fehoko had five catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. One of those was a 41-yarder. That’s a coverage breakdown. The cornerbacks got beat on the outside leverage.
Vanessa: Fehoko was a problem. And don’t forget Evan Hull had 16 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns for Arizona. Wait, Evan Hull? Isn’t he a Packer?
Nick: Oh, absolutely. My bad. Evan Hull is a Packer. He had 16 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns... for GREEN BAY. I misspoke. Arizona’s leading rusher was likely someone else, or perhaps I confused the stat line. Let me re-check. Ah, yes. Evan Hull, our guy, had 16 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. That’s excellent production. The defense couldn’t stop him.
Vanessa: Okay, thank you for correcting that, Nick. Evan Hull is a Packer. So, the defense gave up 107 yards to Hull. That’s significant. And they allowed 38 points total. What stood out to you defensively besides the coverage issues?
Nick: Pass rush consistency. Dani Dennis-Sutton had one sack for Green Bay, which is fine, but Arizona’s BJ Ojulari had 1.5 sacks for their defense. The Packers’ interior pressure was sporadic. Karl Brooks and Warren Brinson were busy, but they didn’t generate enough consistent disruption to force Slovis into mistakes. Slovis only threw one interception. Usually, in a 42-38 game, you want more takeaways.
Vanessa: So, the pass rush needs to pick up. TJ Quinn led the team with 10 tackles, which shows he was everywhere, but he can’t cover for the lack of pressure. Are there injury concerns affecting the defensive line?
Nick: There are always injuries. Zachary Carter is on Injured Reserve, and Micah Parsons is Out. Wait, Micah Parsons? That doesn’t sound right. Micah Parsons is a Cowboy. Let me check the injury list again. Ah, yes. The injury list includes Luke Musgrave (Out), Collin Oliver (IR), Savion Williams (IR), Tip Reiman (Out), James Conner (IR - Cardinal), Trey Benson (IR - Cardinal). No Micah Parsons for Green Bay. I’m getting mixed up with league news. For Green Bay, the key absence is Luke Musgrave at TE, which affects the offense more, but defensively, the unit is healthy enough to compete. They just need to execute better.
Vanessa: Phew. Okay, no Micah Parsons. Good. So, defensively, the main takeaway is coverage discipline and generating more pressure without blitzing. TJ Quinn is playing well, but he needs help from the line.
Nick: Exactly. And remember, Elijah Jones led Arizona with 5 tackles. Our guys were tackling well, but they were chasing plays instead of stopping them at the line of scrimmage. That’s a coaching point for next week.
Vanessa: All right. Defense needs tightening. Offense is scoring, but can they sustain drives? Let’s talk about one specific player who defined this game for me. Will Sheppard. Two scores? Well, one catch for a TD and one punt return for a TD. That’s insane energy.
Nick: Will Sheppard is a game-changer. His punt return wasn’t just fast; it was smart. He found the seam, cut back, and accelerated. It shifted the momentum completely. And catching a touchdown pass shows he’s a reliable outlet. He’s becoming a focal point for special teams and the offense.
Vanessa: We predicted yesterday that Sheppard would be a consistent factor, and he exceeded expectations. What does this mean for his role moving forward? Does he become a starter at WR?
Nick: He might not start at WR initially, given the depth with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Bo Melton. But his value is immense in the slot and on special teams. Coaches love versatility. If he can continue to produce in these roles, he earns more snaps. He’s a difference-maker.
Vanessa: And let’s not forget the kicker situation. Trey Smack kicked the extra points, including the one after Sheppard’s punt return. We predicted he’d be the starter, and he’s proving us right. Chad Ryland also kicked a field goal, but Smack seems to have the job.
Nick: Yes, Trey Smack is the kicker. He’s reliable. The offense scored 42 points, so having a kicker who doesn’t miss extra points is vital. It keeps the scoreboard moving and the defense fresh.
Vanessa: So, to wrap up our deep dive: McCord is poised, Sheppard is a weapon, and the defense has work to do. What’s your final thought on the Packers heading into Week 1?
Nick: I think they’re dangerous. The offense has shown it can score with anyone under center. The defense will tighten up as the season goes on. My prediction remains: the Packers will win the NFC North. This team has too much firepower.
Vanessa: There you have it. McCord’s magic, Sheppard’s spark, and a defense that’s learning. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. Share it with a fellow Packer fan!
Nick: Go Pack Go. We’ll see you next week.