Arizona
Panic Meter: Should Packers’ Stars Worry Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals managed a huge win a week ago against the 49ers in San Francisco. Does Arizona have what it takes to pull off consecutive wins on the road against NFC title contenders?
The Cards are out in Green Bay to play the Packers, whose offense is dynamic both through the air and on the ground, coupled with a defense that is playing better than many would give them credit for.
I’m not sure if they’re better than the Niners, but they’re just as big a challenge for the Cardinals.
At 2-3, the Cardinals can smell a .500 record, but they need to beware of several factors as they prepare for this battle. These are the three areas that have the panic meter ticking.
Love has been volatile this season. After suffering a knee injury in week one against the Eagles in Brazil, one that we all thought would be season-ending, he’s returned to play the last two games.
In three total games played, Love has 873 passing yards with eight touchdowns with five picks and just a 56.1 completion percentage. He’s failed to complete 60% or better in all three games and has at least one pick in each game.
The Cardinals’ defense has to be excited over the potential to get some turnovers, but Love has made some insane plays this year. In each game, he has at least one completion of over 40-yards and has made guys like Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft into borderline household names. He’s dangerous.
This game is likely to be a shootout (stop me if you’ve heard that before), and Love’s gunslinger mentality this year gives Green Bay an edge. The Cardinals will need several turnovers in this game, but I’m truly unsure how you can stop him from the big plays. In fact, I don’t think you’ll be able to…
Panic meter: 8/10
McKinney has had an interception in all five games this season and has recorded a pick in six-straight games. That leaves the 26-year-old one pick away from an NFL record for consecutive games with a pick.
Since being a second round pick by the Giants in 2020, McKinney has steadily gotten better each year and cashed out big with Green Bay this offseason. He’s earned every penny as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate and has been undeniably the best defensive back in the league this year.
Kyler Murray has only tossed two interceptions on 138 attempts this season (~0.014%), so taking care of the football is far from an issue for him. However, McKinney is unlike any DB that the Cards have faced this year and if Murray is forced to throw the ball he is more subject than ever this year to make a mistake. And with how historic McKinney has been playing and an NFL record on the line, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play his best game of the year.
I’m not sure if Murray will throw a pick with how safe he’s been, but he needs to be on red-alert and locate #29 before every snap.
Panic meter: 9.5/10
Did you know the Packers own the number three rushing offense in the NFL? I certainly did not until I started prepping for this game. It makes sense when you consider they went all in on Josh Jacobs, whose 402 rushing yards are the fourth-most in the league.
The Packers are averaging 164.8 rushing yards per game this year with 5.2 yards per carry to go along with it. Green Bay is also creative in their approach to running the ball, as they don’t mind getting receiver Jayden Reed involved (eight carries for 110 yards). It’s a run game that has plenty of contributors that leave opposing defenses guessing.
I already said that the Cardinals panic meter is high on Jordan Love and the passing game, but they can’t overlook the ground game here, and I think we’re looking at an even split for which to worry about more. On the road, Arizona’s 28th ranked run defense is in for a busy day if the Packers get an early lead. Hopefully, the Cards can force a shootout through the air. Otherwise, Green Bay could play some good ole fashion ground and pound football.
Panic meter: 8/10
Dozens of bright yellow jets once operated by Spirit Airlines are now sitting idle in the Arizona desert after being repossessed by leasing companies, according to aviation officials.
The aircraft are currently parked in a storage field following the shutdown of operations involving the planes. Industry experts say the jets were not owned directly by Spirit Airlines, but instead leased through outside companies that quickly moved to reclaim the aircraft.
One aviation contractor involved in the process said crews had only a matter of hours to coordinate the recovery effort and relocate the planes.
That process included hiring former Spirit pilots who had suddenly found themselves out of work to help ferry the aircraft to storage facilities in Arizona.
“The reason I’m empathetic to all this is because I’ve been in the same situation four or five times,” one aviation worker said. “I was with airlines that closed their doors overnight. I woke up the next morning not having a job. I’m worried about how I’m going to make my mortgage, how I can pay for health care. I have little kids.”
Officials say the future of the aircraft remains uncertain. Depending on what the leasing companies decide, the planes could eventually return to service with another airline, be dismantled for parts, or scrapped altogether.
Spirit Airlines has not announced whether the aircraft could return to operations.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
The 2026 NFL Draft is over, but the 2026 NFL schedule is here!
While Arizona Cardinals fans should be excited about Jeremiyah Love and all the new additions, the release of the regular season schedule turns a mere daydream of fall into a more concrete 17-game reality check.
The Cardinals finished last season 3-14, missed the playoffs, and now have a new path towards the postseason.
Shop Cardinals 2026 tickets
As a Cardinals fan, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to commune with your fellow fans and see State Farm Stadium in all its glory.
The first game of the NFL season is less than three months away, be the first to secure your tickets to see the Arizona Cardinals play this season.
Arizona Cardinals 2026 NFL schedule, tickets
- Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers – Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 2: Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks – Sunday, Sept. 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 5: Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions – Sunday, Oct. 11 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 6: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 7: Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos – Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 9: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 10: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 12: Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders – Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 13: Arizona Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 14: BYE
- Week 15: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets – Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Sunday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 17: Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 18: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers – TBD
Shop Cardinals 2026 tickets
Cardinals home opponents, tickets
The Cardinals will host the following teams at State Farm Stadium this season:
- L.A. Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
- Detroit Lions
- Las Vegas Raiders
- N.Y. Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
Cardinals away opponents, tickets
The Cardinals will hit the road and take on the following teams during the regular season:
- L.A. Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Dallas Cowboys
- Kansas City Chiefs
- L.A. Chargers
- New Orleans Saints
- N.Y. Giants
Shop Cardinals 2026 tickets
Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft pick
With the team’s first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 overall. Watch Jeremiyah Love play in person this year by buying your tickets now .
Shop NFL Draft Jerseys
Arizona’s natural wonders: See the state’s most iconic sites
Arizona’s diverse geography has created some incredible features. Take a look at the best, including Sedona’s red rocks and the Grand Canyon, of course.
The Republic
Despite its desert reputation, Arizona has several exciting roller coaster attractions that make it a fun destination for thrill seekers. One of the best-known rides is the Desert Storm coaster at Castles N’ Coasters in Phoenix.
Arizona is also home to two popular mountain coasters located in the cooler mountain regions of the state.
Mountain coasters are gravity-powered rides built along hillsides or mountains. Riders sit in individual carts attached to a track and control their own speed using hand brakes. Unlike traditional roller coasters, mountain coasters often wind through forests and natural scenery, creating a mix of adventure ride and scenic experiences.
And Arizona is lucky enough to have two mountain coasters. Here’s how to visit.
What roller coaster is in the mountains in Arizona?
There are two mountain coasters in Arizona: the Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in Williams and the Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster at Sunrise ski resort.
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in Williams AZ
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park features the Canyon Coaster, which spans 1 mile with a scenic mountain backdrop. It has a peak height of 35 feet and is integrated into the natural curves of the landscape. The 13-acre park also offers tubing across 400 feet of track in summer and snow-covered slopes in winter, facilitated by two conveyor lifts. There’s also a restaurant and bar.
Where: 700 E. Route 66, Williams, Arizona.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7p.m. Fridays-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday year-round.
Admission: The Canyon Coaster costs $20 per person per ride. Riders must be over 4 feet, 5 inches tall. Children who are at least 3 years old and 38-54 inches tall ride for $10 with a driver who is 18 or older. Visit the website for other attractions and pricing.
Details: 928-707-7729, canyoncoasteradventurepark.com.
Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster at Sunrise ski resort
Spanning over half a mile with 3,287 feet of track, the coaster’s carts can reach up to 25 mph. Hand brakes let you choose a mellow or zippy ride. Sunrise Park has skiing and other snow activities in winter, plus mountain biking, scenic chair lift rides and more in summer. Dining options include a restaurant and pub.
Where: Sunrise Park Resort, 200 State Route 273, on the Fort Apache Reservation near Greer.
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, closed Monday-Thursday. Open every day starting June 2026.
Admission: $19 per ride or buy two rides for $38 and get a third ride free. Tickets are available in person. See the Sunrise Park website for other seasonal activities and prices.
Details: 928-735-7669, sunrise.ski/apache-coaster.
Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.
Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter.
-
New York56 minutes agoQuestions Arise About Jack Schlossberg’s Readiness for Congress
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoLos Angeles releases searchable list of worst rental properties
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoMLB News & Moments: Mets Gain Much-Needed Momentum by Sweeping Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoWhere to Find Free Street Parking for Shows in San Francisco | KQED
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoDallas Stars Forward Would Be Perfect Trade Target for NY Rangers
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoJetBlue to pull out of N.H.’s largest airport amid capacity crisis, officials announce – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver area events for May 15
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoFriday Roundtable: Free Summer Shuttles