Arizona Cardinal starters produced a potent glimpse of their potential, posting elite first-team rhythm with 7.1 yards per play as Jacoby Brissett steered two scoring drives. Yet Kyler Murray’s troubling ball protection re-emerged with an early interception that underscored the need for safer escapes and better decision-making as the season nears. The Cardinals showcased depth along the line and at wideout, highlighted by strong performances from Emari Demercado and Xavier Weaver, who flashed in the roster battle. Special teams hiccups—fumbles, muffed returns, and a rough start on the opening kickoff—remain a concern even in a win. On defense, Dante Stills and the retooled front offered promising depth, while youngsters like Will Johnson, Max Melton, Xavier Weaver, and Elijah Jones pressed for snaps, tempering the offseason hype with real-world results. The Chiefs came up short offensively, allowing Arizona to squeeze out a 20-17 win before the teams meet again next week. The Cardinals head to Denver riding both optimism and reminders of the discipline still required to turn preseason momentum into regular-season reliability.