Arizona
Arizona Cardinals, fans deserve NFL primetime game in 2024 NFL schedule
Arizona Cardinals Day 3 NFL Draft wrap-up: GM Monti Ossenfort
A quick breakdown on each of the players the Arizona Cardinals chose Saturday in Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals did not play any primetime games in the 2023 season, being relegated to playing in the Sunday early window and late window of games every week.
Could that change in 2024?
Might Arizona play on Thursday Night Football or Sunday Night Football in the upcoming season or in a different non-traditional Sunday slot?
Fans of Arizona’s NFL team are eagerly awaiting the release of the 2024 NFL regular season schedule (or an early leak) to find out.
After all, it would provide a welcome change from the Cardinals schedule last year and give a wider audience a chance to see Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride and company and the rest of a team that is potentially on the rise.
NFL schedule release 2024 tracker: Leaks, rumors, live updates, what we know for games
Arizona Cardinals among NFL teams that deserve more primetime games in 2024 NFL schedule
Interestingly, SB Nation recently published a story about three NFL teams who deserve more primetime games on the 2024 NFL schedule and the Cardinals were included among the three.
Joseph Acosta wrote: “Fighting for some shine in a loaded NFC West, the Cardinals spent the first quarter of 2023 looking like one of the worst teams of the NFL. However, after QB Kyler Murray returned, the Cardinals began to look like one of the more intriguing teams for the future. Again, it’s the offense that takes most of the shine here. Murray, TE Trey McBride, and rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. give fans something to look for when the Cardinals play. Murray plays really exciting football, and if Harrison Jr. can be the outside receiver we all think he can be, then the Cardinals should be extremely exciting. Defensively, the team is still slowly coming along, but safety Budda Baker is still a very fun player to watch. With Murray running around throwing passes to Harrison Jr., this will be one of the most fun teams to watch this year.”
We won’t argue with that.
More: Kyler Murray height joke backfires as social media comes to Arizona Cardinals QB’s defense
Who could the Arizona Cardinals play in prime time in 2024?
The Cardinals have some intriguing opponents on the 2024 schedule, with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots among the teams they will face at home and the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings among Arizona’s opponents on the road.
Cardinals at Bills or Dolphins on Sunday Night Football? Bears or Lions vs. Cardinals on Thursday Night Football?
Is it really too much for Arizona fans to ask to have a primetime game on the 2024 NFL schedule this season?
NFL power rankings: Arizona Cardinals on the rise after 2024 NFL Draft
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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Arizona
Things Arizona Must Watch Closely Against Auburn
The 2025–26 Auburn team comes built with several players who pose serious threats. Here are a handful of the standouts Arizona needs to game-plan around.
Keyshawn Hall — Forward / Go-to Scorer
Hall transferred to Auburn after a standout season elsewhere, and in 2025–26, he’s already seen as the Tigers’ primary offensive weapon.
Hall’s 21.8 points per game is currently 10th in the nation according to ESPN, and his 9.1 rebounds per game ranks tied for 34th.
The most dangerous scorer on the team and a senior leader who can do a lot with his game will have to be Arizona’s top priority in limiting.
Hall’s combination of size ( 6’7”, 240 lbs), scoring instinct, and inside-outside game makes him a dual threat: he can punish you inside the paint or step out for perimeter looks.
Hall’s all-around ability in rebounding, rim presence and scoring means he could dominate the paint and stretch the defense. Containing him will require disciplined defense and physicality.
Tahaad Pettiford — Playmaking Guard & Offensive Catalyst
Pettiford is Auburn’s returning guard who drew major notice last season and has improved to start this season as well.
According to Sports-reference.com, in 2024–25, he averaged 11.6 points per game. To start this season, he is already averaging 14.1 points per game and 2.8 assists.
As a pick-and-roll creator or primary ball-handler, Pettiford gives Auburn pace and playmaking which is something that could test Arizona’s perimeter defense and transition discipline.
Even when not the highest-volume scorer, his ability to create offense, whether scoring or facilitating, means Arizona’s guards and help defenders have to find a way to contain him and limit his mobility.
Pettiford can push tempo, drive, and disorganize already aggressive defenses. If he gets to the paint, it could open up scoring lanes for others on Auburn.
KeShawn Murphy — Threat in Paint, Rebounder & Rim-Threat
Murphy, a transfer from Mississippi State, has been an impact player immediately for the Tigers.
According to ESPN, Last season he averaged 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, showing reliable scoring and board-control skills. This season, early on, the point production is similar at 10.6 points per game, but the rebounding is down to 6.4, possibly due to fewer minutes.
As a big man with mobility and ability to finish near the rim or operate in pick-and-rolls, expect Murphy to challenge Arizona’s interior defense and rebounding, especially if Auburn crashes the glass hard as they have for years.
A physical, smart big man like Murphy can dominate second-chance points and clog the lane, forcing perimeter to beat him tough if Auburn builds momentum.
Why Auburn’s Mix Presents a Potential Problem for Arizona
Balanced weapons: With Hall (scoring inside/out), Pettiford (guard-driven playmaking), and Murphy (rebounding & paint presence), Auburn boasts threats at all three levels — perimeter, mid-range, and inside. That makes defensive assignments difficult.
New but dangerous roster: The 2025–26 Auburn roster is heavily revamped with many newcomers and transfers, but that doesn’t mean they are inexperienced. Several incoming players, like Hall, Murphy, and guard rotation pieces, have high-level production from prior stops.
Versatility, pace, and adaptability: Auburn’s coaching staff seems to prefer a flexible, versatile scheme with motion, pick-and-roll, and shooting. That style, if executed, could stress Arizona’s defense and force mismatches or breakdowns.
What Arizona Should Focus On to Contain Auburn
- Physicality on the interior & limit second-chance points: Contain Murphy and Hall on the boards; challenge every rebound.
- Switch-heavy and disciplined perimeter defense: Pettiford and Hall could expose mismatches while rotating quickly and denying penetration will be key.
- Limit transition opportunities and guard the pace: Don’t let Auburn push early offense; force half-court sets where Arizona can better control matchups.
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Arizona
Attempted assault suspect allegedly leads northern Arizona deputies on pursuit
CAMP VERDE, AZ (AZFamily) — A man is facing multiple charges after allegedly trying to hurt a woman who had an order of protection against him and then leading officers on a chase in northern Arizona.
On Wednesday, Camp Verde Marshal’s Office deputies responded to an apartment where they say Jose Ramirez allegedly tried to break in and assault a woman inside. Officials say the woman has an active order of protection against Ramirez.
Initially, they could not find Ramirez at the complex, but later that day, deputies say they found him using drugs in a car. When they tried to approach Ramirez, he drove off.
The following day, deputies say they saw Ramirez driving through the Camp Verde area and began following him in their unmarked patrol vehicles. Ramirez stopped for gas in Munds Park, where deputies say he saw them following him. That’s when he got back onto Interstate 17 and took off. During the chase, Ramirez was allegedly driving over 120 mph.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety joined the pursuit and tried to stop him. Officials say Ramirez got off the freeway and drove through a barbed-wire fence, then got stuck in the forest.
Ramirez got out of his car and ran off, but deputies were able to catch up to him and arrest him.
Ramirez is facing multiple charges, including failure to comply with a court order, aggravated harassment, reckless driving, fleeing a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, resisting arrest, assault, stalking, burglary, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and weapons misconduct for being a prohibited possessor.
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Arizona
The Good, Bad and Ugly of Arizona’s Loss to Southern
In the first loss of the season for the Wildcats’ women’s team, a tough night was highlighted by a few solid performances for the team in their efforts. While the team saw trouble on both ends of the floor, there were some bright spots for a young, growing team.
Even after a rough first half, Arizona mounted a comeback effort in the second half. The Wildcats scored 22 points in the third quarter, which was enough to take the lead. This suggested the team still fought that even when things go wrong early, they’re capable of pushing to get back into the game.
Solid individual performances from some players
Despite the loss, according to ESPN, Mickayla Perdue led the scoring for Arizona with 17 points. Also, freshman Nora Francois secured 11 rebounds, signaling a high point in the game. These individual performances show that there is talent and potential on the roster, which matters for growth over the course of the season.
Since this was the Wildcats’ first loss under new head coach Becky Burke, the defeat offers valuable lessons early. As coach Burke noted, the team’s lack of “competitive edge and execution” was a weakness, but recognizing that now gives them time to address it before tougher games ahead, as Big 12 games loom.
What hurt them the most?
The loss underscores that even a talented team with high expectations can suffer if the basics aren’t locked in. Turnovers, defensive intensity, and physicality all play a crucial role.
The Jaguars forced a season-high 24 turnovers and turned those into 25 points — a clear demonstration of how momentum and fundamentals can swing a game. For a young or newly coached team, that kind of wake-up call, though painful, can be healthy in the long run if addressed properly.
Noelani Cornfield had an unusual nine turnovers. That kind of ball-control breakdown makes it very hard to build sustained momentum, especially when playing a team hungry for an upset.
The opposing team apparently brought more physicality and energy, which was something that Arizona couldn’t match consistently. As expressed by Coach Burke, the Wildcats looked “weak.” That translated into Southern controlling the pace, pressing defensively, and making Arizona uncomfortable, especially in the first half, which was one the Wilcats could not overcome.
The Wildcats women’s squad hits the court again next on Dec 7 against the University of New Mexico
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