Happy Friday! We made it through another week!

I’ll get to the Cardinals below, but first, the Suns made a few announcements yesterday (more on that below), but perhaps the one that grabbed the most headlines is the new name for PHX Arena: Mortgage Matchup Center. It’s part of a 10-year, $115 million naming rights deal with United Wholesale Mortgage, whose CEO is… wait for it … wait for it … Mat Ishbia.

Gotta get your joke in before the weekend: What’s a pirate’s favorite shot to take in basketball? A hook shot!

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

Cardinals’ Backfield in Shambles as Titans Await

They say you can’t run from your problems — but right now, the Cardinals aren’t sure who’s going to run from anything.

The Cardinals are down to their third-string running back with the announcement earlier this week that Trey Benson would miss at least four weeks while on injured reserve, and that news did more than send fantasy managers scrambling. Arizona signed Michael Carter to the roster earlier this week, and will likely split time in the backfield with Emari Demercado.

Tennessee might be just what the doctor ordered, though, for a team still looking to find its stride in the running game.

The Cardinals need a win, badly. They have lost two straight and are looking to get some positive momentum established before heading to Indianapolis to face the upstart 3-1 Colts.

Now, keep in mind, Arizona has lost both games this season by a combined four points, 16-15 at San Francisco and 23-20 last week against Seattle. Things aren’t exactly dire, but the wins need to start coming soon.

Will Carter or Demercado Seize The Opportunity for Cardinals?

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals
1:05pm, CBS
bet365 odds: Arizona -7.5

• Carter, Demercado will likely split time – will either emerge?

The 26-year-old Carter was promoted from the practice squad, and the fifth-year veteran has 1,360 total yards and eight touchdowns in time spent with the Jets and the Cards. He has appeared in just one game this season — carrying the ball once for one yard against Seattle — but offers a wealth of experience and a good familiarity with the the offense.

He had 35 carries for 131 yards and one touchdown last season.

Demercado, meanwhile, is in his third professional season, and all have been spent with the Cardinals. The 26-year-old has 86 carries for 515 yards over that span, and has also chipped in 39 receptions for 236 yards. He also had a touchdown catch last week against the Seahawks.

The Titans have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game this season (141.5).

• MHJ needs to build on the momentum

Marvin Harrison Jr. has had a well-documented slow start to the season, but he came around late in the game last week, snagging a touchdown to help Arizona stage a late-game rally that came up just short. Now, the Cardinals need their second-year wideout to build on that success and live up to the hype.

It will impact the running game, as well, because if Kyler Murray can establish early success through the air, it can help lead to a balanced attack and more success on the ground.

• Close. Out. The. Game.

It was heartbreak central for two straight weeks, as Arizona lost on a walk-off field goal in both games. Tennessee does not present the challenge that either the 49ers or Seahawks did, so can the Cardinals jump out to a lead and finish strong? It’s a recipe they’ll need to follow to get back on the right side of .500.

A Poke Away: The Wildcats look to bounce back, hosting Oklahoma State on Saturday (12 pm, TNT / HBO Max). Arizona has a tough stretch of back-to-back games against No. 24 BYU and unbeaten Houston, so it’s imperative they capitalize on tomorrow’s lesser opponent.

The Finals Countdown: Make sure to tune into the WNBA Finals, as the Mercury open up their best-of-seven series against the Aces in Las Vegas tonight (5 pm, ESPN). Vegas took the regular season series 3-1, but it’s Phoenix that’s had the hot hand in the postseason. Game 2 is Sunday at noon (ABC) before the series shifts to Footprint Arena PHX Arena Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday.

Dunn Deal: The Suns exercised Ryan Dunn’s third-year option yesterday, ensuring he remains in The Valley through 2026-27. The former 28th-overall pick (2024) averaged 6.9 points and just over 19 minutes per game last season.

Leah and Petey!: Make sure you check out yesterday’s edition of the PHNX Hockey podcast, which features an exclusive interview with Andrea Doan, who is leading the charge to help bring NHL hockey back to Arizona. Also, the Sun Devils kick off their season against Penn State this weekend, hosting a two-game series on Friday and Saturday that will be broadcast on NHL Network (and locally on FOX 10).

The Cardinals offense need to click this weekend: