Happy Friday! We made it through another week, and I hope yours was great.

I’ll get to the Cardinals below, but first, Arizona sports fans have had a few rough weekends in a row, but I think all of those bad memories will be erased with a little luck this weekend. The Cardinals, Sun Devils and Wildcats all have tall tasks in front of them, but hey, a perfect weekend would be pretty amazing, wouldn’t it?

It’s Friday, you know the drill: Where do football players go when they need a new uniform? New Jersey!

Let’s run it back next week. On to the show!

Cardinals Again Face Roster Uncertainty Heading Into Critical Week

There’s no quarterback controversy according to Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, but there certainly is short-term uncertainty.

Kyler Murray (foot) was a limited participant in yesterday’s practice, casting doubt around his ability to play against the Packers this weekend. It’s rough timing for Arizona, which sits at 2-4 and needs to start stringing some wins together, but the banged-up offense makes it feel like a herculean task.

Along with Murray and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., running backs James Conner (out for the season), Trey Benson (knee, out until at least Week 10) and Emari Demercado (missed practice – ankle) are all banged up. Wide receiver Zay Jones also missed his second practice of the week with an injured knee.

If there’s any GOOD news out of limited participants, it’s that first-round pick Walter Nolen III appeared in his first practice as a Cardinal after suffering an injury during offseason workouts. That will be a huge boost for the defensive line when he’s able to make his debut.

Cardinals Look to Piece Together a Winner

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
1:25 pm, FOX
bet365 odds: Green Bay -6.5

• Hold serve at home

The Packers are a good team, but they’re still looking for their first win on the road. Green Bay lost 13-10 to the Browns in Cleveland and tied (yes, tied) the Cowboys 40-40 in Dallas. It’s been smooth sailing in Wisconsin, but anything but away from the friendly confines of Lambeau Field.

The Cardinals need to keep that trend alive.

Of course, it hasn’t been exactly a home field advantage for the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium — Arizona is 1-2 in Glendale this season — but a little home cookin’ may be just what the doctor ordered.

• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

Murray is the unquestionable starting quarterback, but if he’s not able to go, the Cardinals are clearly in good hands. Brissett had a stellar game last week, throwing for 320 yards and two touchdowns, and the veteran QB led Arizona to a fourth-quarter lead before Indianapolis rallied and closed it out.

Green Bay’s defense ranks fifth in yards allowed per game (280.2) and first in rushing yards allowed per game (73.0), so the Cardinals are going to need to air it out against the Packers’ defense. The Good news? Green Bay has forced just two turnovers all season — both interceptions.

• No Love

Arizona’s passing defense has left much to be desired this season, as it has allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game in the entire NFL this season (246.0). For what it’s worth, quarterback Jordan Love and the offense have averaged nine fewer yards than that through the air this season.

Love’s stats are actually pretty mundane, ranking 14th in passing yards and touchdowns. He has also thrown two picks, so going up against a Cardinals defense that has allowed just 102 yards per game this season demands success through the air.

The Cardinals’ defense has been superb in forcing turnovers this season, ranking 10th in the league with seven combined takeaways (four interceptions, three forced fumbles).

Raid It: A must-win game of sorts for the Sun Devils comes against No. 7 Texas Tech tomorrow, and quarterback Sam Leavitt is listed as probable after missing last week’s loss in Salt Lake City against Utah. Arizona State still has loads to play for considering it is still 2-1 in the Big 12, and a national stage against one of the top teams in the nation has the potential to be a signature win for Kenny Dillingham and Co.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm on FOX.

Cougars x2: The Wildcats face another Cougars team just a week after falling in a heartbreaker to BYU, as they travel to Texas to face 5-1 Houston. This version of the Cougars has only lost to Texas Tech, and has a lot to prove against a much-improved Arizona team.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9 am on FS1.

Home Finale: Rising FC wraps up its regular season home slate on Saturday, facing off against San Antonio FC at 7 pm (Arizona’s Family Sports). It’s a big weekend for Phoenix, which occupies the sixth postseason spot in the USL’s Western Conference, but is just two points ahead of ninth place Colorado Springs.

San Antonio leads Rising FC by one point in the USL table, so tomorrow’s matchup has critical implications for both teams.

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