Ep. 836 - So, the stakes are not as high as we all had hoped, but there is still plenty on the line coming up on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the Week 17 matchup against the Rams, an opponent the Cardinals have not seen since early September. A lot has changed since then, which is discussed when Jourdan Rodrigue joins the show, as she did ahead of Week 2. Rodrigue covers the Rams for The Athletic. Before that conversation, though, Craig and Zach have a conversation about where the Cardinals are at, coming off the loss at Carolina that eliminated them from playoff contention; what can still be accomplished over the final two games; plus, who is and who isn't available to play this weekend.

Ep. 837 - Heart-breaking. There's no other way to describe it. The win was there until it wasn't. And that's been the story of the Arizona Cardinals' season more times than not in 2024. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi, aka Paulie Play-By-Play, look back at the 13-9 loss on Saturday night in Los Angeles. For much of the game, the offense looked good; in fact, the numbers said as much. Defensively, the same thing. The Cardinals played well enough to win, but the only thing that matters in sports is did you score more points than your opponent. The Cardinals did not. The guys discuss everything. Plus, Paul hands out his weekly Angry Bird Award; and this week, it goes to a player who stepped up his game in the absence of his teammate.

Ep. 835 - And that's the sad reality, unfortunately. Losing at Carolina plus the Rams winning at the New York Jets equaled playoff elimination for the Cardinals. So, what happened? How did the Cardinals fall to a three-win team (at the time) in a got-to-have-it game? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the 36-30 defeat to the Panthers in overtime. Yes, injuries were a factor; too many penalties, especially at the start of the game; the run defense was not great. The Cardinals dug themselves a 17-point hole halfway through the second quarter before digging themselves out thanks to James Conner (before he got hurt; Conner, by the way, earned Paul's Angry Bird Award) and the right leg of Chad Ryland. And now, with two games left, the Cardinals are forced to play the role of spoiler.

Ep. 834 - The Cardinals took care of business last week, beating a three-win opponent. They face another three-win opponent this week. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman, before he heads to the airport to join the team on its flight to Carolina, discuss the game against the Panthers coming up on Sunday. What are the key matchups? What must the Cardinals do in order to win to help keep their playoff hopes alive? (Spoiler alert: run the football.) Also, they are joined by Darin Gantt, senior writer for panthers-dot-com, as they head into enemy territory ahead of Week 16. Before any of those conversations, however, Craig and Zach react to the injury report: two starters and two key backups will not play in the game.

Ep. 833 - One of the bigger questions this offseason has been answered in-season: Budda Baker isn't going anywhere. He and the Cardinals reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, keeping him in Arizona through the 2027 season. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck react to the news. They then discuss why the team rewarded the player, and maybe more importantly, the person; what the extension says about where the team is headed; and what GM Monti Ossenfort is building after extensions to Baker, James Conner, Hjalte Froholdt and Zaven Collins. Plus, Craig and Dani go over the roster moves made on Wednesday and wonder if it's too early in the week to worry about Paris Johnson Jr. missing Wednesday's practice because of a knee injury.

Ep. 832 - It was a much-needed win on Sunday. No, it wasn't perfect. But thanks to the play of James Conner and Trey McBride, the Cardinals "stayed relevant" in the playoff hunt, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. And let's not forget the defense. In fact, that's where Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck begin their discussion when looking back at the 30-17 victory over the New England Patriots. The defense played well despite losing Mack Wilson Sr. and Jesse Luketa five plays into the first quarter; a number of players stepped up in their absence. And, yes, the Cardinals got lucky - and there's nothing wrong with that - from an interception that wasn't to a fumble that turned into a touchdown, for a second time this season. Playoff football remains a very real possibility.

Ep. 831 - No, a win doesn't clinch a spot in the playoffs. But if the Cardinals want to keep their postseason hopes alive, then they need to win on Sunday. They need to beat the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the matchup in Week 15; what it's going to take to get past the Patriots, get back in the win column and get those positive vibes back around the team. The guys also head into enemy territory and speak with ESPN's Mike Reiss; long-time Patriots beat writer. Before that conversation, though, a conversation on how the San Francisco 49ers did the Cardinals no favors on Thursday Night Football.

Ep. 830 - Hey, it's just a suggestion. But it is an aspect of the Cardinals offense that, in recent weeks, appears to be missing; at least to both Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck. That's the main topic of discussion on Wednesday's show; what if Kyler Murray were to have more rushing attempts, might that help spark the offense? The Cardinals are searching for answers in the midst of a season-long three-game losing streak. Also, Craig and Dani look ahead to this week's game against the New England Patriots, focusing on rookie quarterback Drake Maye; who's punting on Sunday, given the injury to Blake Gillikin; and rookie offensive lineman Isaiah Adams is the team's new starting right guard.