👋 GOOD MORNING — Happy Friday! We made it through another week, and I hope yours was great!

This last week was a quiet one of sorts, but that’s all going to come to a screeching halt soon enough. Most Arizona kids are back in school! (that’s still crazy to me since I always went back in late August, but rest assured, my wife and I are NOT complaining that they’re back!) 😆

You know the drill — if you need a joke to get you through today and into the weekend, I’ve got you covered: I just burned 1200 calories! I forgot to take the pizza out of the oven. 🍕

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

— Patrick Brown, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

We’re Taking Over PHX Arena!

Join us on Friday, Aug. 22 as we cheer on the Mercury against Golden State! The takeover includes a pregame meetup with all-you-can-eat food and two drink tickets, lower level center court tickets in section 102, and of course, immaculate vibes. Best of all, Diehards get 20 percent off! Not a Diehard but want that discount? Sign up today for just 36 bucks!

Cardinals Vs. Broncos: What To Watch For

Photo credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One down, two to go.

The Cardinals kicked off their preseason slate with a 20-17 win over the Chiefs last week, and have since hit the road for Denver for joint practices and a Saturday night tilt against the Broncos (6:30 pm, NFL Network).

With just two tune-up games to go until the regular season commences on Sept. 7, there’s still plenty for coach Jonathan Gannon and his staff to evaluate, especially given some of the (hopefully isolated) issues that popped up against K.C.

News also broke yesterday that neither the Broncos nor the Cardinals will play their starters tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for, especially as fringe players make their case to hang around Glendale into the fall.

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Pass Protection, Ball Security & More

There was good, bad and ugly in last week’s win, which really sets the stage for tomorrow night’s storylines. Here are three things to keep in mind:

Can the offensive line hold strong?

The “o” in o-line last week might as well have stood for outstanding. Arizona’s offensive front allowed just one sack for nine yards, and that only happened when quarterback Clayton Tune entered the game. The Cardinals also ran for 140 yards on the ground, so it’ll be interesting to see if the line can have another strong week.

Can they take care of the ball and win the turnover battle?

Arizona turned the ball over three times last week, including an opening kickoff fumble and an ill-advised red zone interception. That effort just won’t cut it in the regular season, so ball security becomes a huge focal point.

Can they get some pressure into the backfield?

For as good as the offensive line was last weekend, the defense managed just one sack for seven yards. The Cardinals did limit the Chiefs’ rushing attack to just 92 yards while forcing two interceptions, so there’s plenty to build on.

My Take: Just like last weekend, sit back, enjoy the show, but don’t put too much stock into any of it. This is preseason, with no starters, it’s perfectly fine to be content with the fact that football is arising from its slumber.

After all, you have 17 weeks to let the Cardinals decide your mood. No sense in starting that yet.

He’s the Ish: Huge shoutout to Suns/Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, who joined our very own Espo on Southwest Bias yesterday. Here are a few highlights from the segment, though definitely make sure you check out the entire interview!

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On the importance of purchasing the Mercury along with the Suns: “It was critical … We’ve evolved, we got the right team together, the right coach, the right front office. We feel good about what they’re doing.”
On the Mercury’s blueprint for success: “If you watch the Mercury, you’ll say, ’They play hard.’ They compete, and we’re going to hopefully do that with the Suns. We basically started this with the Mercury two years earlier. The Suns are starting with that type of format now, going forward. We’re going to play hard, we’re going to play tough, we’re going to be a gritty type of team, and we’re going to build it the right way.”
On who Espo’s daughter should adopt as her favorite player: “It’s hard. I can’t give you one. I think there’s a lot of good options there, and that’s our job, is to hopefully put a fun team out there.”
On what he wants to build with the Suns: “The right way means the type of players that we want, that the city can be proud of. I’ve said I’ll have the team for 50 years, and we’re not going to win a championship for 47, or even 48 of those years. That’s the way it’s going to go, but you are going to be proud of this team.”

Sunny Schedule: The Suns released their full 2025-26 schedule yesterday. They open the regular season at home on Oct. 22 against Sacramento before hitting the road for three straight vs. the Clippers, Jazz and Grizzlies. If you didn’t see it, check out the Suns’ release video here, because it also included a very good cause.

Another W: Credit the D-backs, who have won three straight, and six of seven, after yesterday’s 8-2 win at Colorado. Arizona has three more games in Denver before returning home to host the red-hot Guardians, so taking advantage of the league’s worst team right now is critical.

Back to It: The Mercury play two this weekend after a few much-needed days of rest, hosting Vegas tonight (7 pm, ion TV) before hitting the road for Seattle on Sunday (3 pm, Arizona’s Family Sports). Every game takes on increased significance considering there are only 13 remaining, and Phoenix currently sits fourth overall in the league standings.

You Need to Calm Down: Rising FC heads to Tampa to face the Rowdies on Saturday, looking to earn its first win since a 2-1 triumph over Oakland Roots SC on July 12. Each game is critical from here on out for Phoenix, which is holding on tight to the seventh overall position in the USL Western Conference table, just two points ahead of ninth-place Monterey Bay.