Get ready for a Saturday night showdown that’s gonna light up State Farm Stadium like a desert sunset! It’s the Las Vegas Raiders takin’ on the Arizona Cardinals, August 23, 2025, kickin’ off at 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. MST) on NFL Network, with local broadcasts on FOX5 Vegas and Arizona’s Family CBS 5. The Raiders are sittin’ at 0-1-1, comin’ off a tie with Seattle and a loss to San Francisco, while the Cardinals are 1-1, fresh off a win over Kansas City but a loss to Denver. This ain’t about the superstars – Davante Adams, Kyler Murray, and the big names are likely watchin’ from the sidelines – it’s about those roster hopefuls, the bubble guys, fightin’ like it’s fourth-and-goal for a spot on that 53-man roster. Boom! That’s the heart of this preseason finale – raw hustle, big plays, and a few surprises that could echo into Week 1. Let’s break it down like we’re callin’ it from the booth, with that Troy Aikman precision and John Madden passion.
Raiders’ Side: Silver and Black’s Last Audition
The Raiders are rollin’ into Glendale with that Pete Carroll fire, lookin’ to end the preseason with a win. They tied Seattle 16-16 in Week 1, where rookie RB Ashton Jeanty showed pop with a TD run, but fell 24-17 to the 49ers last week, with backup QB Aidan O’Connell goin’ 13-for-20 for 141 yards but tossin’ a pick. With Geno Smith likely restin’, it’s O’Connell, rookie Cam Miller, and maybe Jake Haener under center, battlin’ for the backup job. Miller’s got a chance to shine after a shaky Week 2, and Carroll’s hinted he’ll get extended reps.
What’s got me fired up is the receiver and defensive line battles. Rookie WRs Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Tommy Mellott are scrappin’ for depth spots behind Tre Tucker – Thornton’s physicality (three catches, 44 yards vs. 49ers) could earn him a role. Defensively, Maxx Crosby’s sittin’ out, so rookie edge rusher Tyree Wilson and Janarius Robinson are huntin’ sacks to lock in spots. The Raiders’ defense has been solid, allowin’ 40 points across two games, but they need more pressure after just two sacks last week. No major injuries reported, but RB Zamir White’s minor tweak means more carries for Sincere McCormick. Special teams could be huge – Daniel Carlson’s automatic, but rookie returner Darien Porter needs a spark. With a short trip to Arizona, the Raiders are hungry to hit 1-1-1 before their Week 1 trip to New England.
Cardinals’ Side: Arizona’s Final Tune-Up
The Cardinals are bringin’ that Jonathan Gannon energy, lookin’ to build on a mixed preseason at home. They rolled over Kansas City 20-13 in Week 1, with starters playin’ the first quarter, but got smoked 27-7 by Denver in Week 2, where the offense struggled without Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. With most starters restin’, it’s Jacoby Brissett, Clayton Tune, and maybe Desmond Ridder at QB, fightin’ for the backup job. Brissett’s three TD passes in limited action make him the favorite, but Tune’s local ties (Arizona State alum) give him a shot to impress.
The battles to watch are at running back and in the secondary. Rookie RB Trey Benson’s been a standout, rushin’ for 39 yards against K.C., and he’s pushin’ for carries behind James Conner. In the secondary, Garrett Williams and rookie Max Melton are set, but Elijah Jones and Kei’Trel Clark are scrappin’ for depth spots – Jones’ pass breakup last week was a highlight. The Cardinals’ defense has been shaky, allowin’ 5.5 yards per play, but they’ve got playmakers like Will Johnson. No major injuries, but Harrison’s limited snaps mean more reps for Simi Fehoko, who scored a TD against Denver. Special teams is key – Matt Prater’s clutch, but the return game needs a boost. With the State Farm Stadium crowd bringin’ noise, the Cardinals are desperate to hit 2-1 before their Week 1 trip to New Orleans.
Key Matchups and Game-Changing Factors
Boom! This game’s gonna be a war of depth. The Raiders’ pass rush against Arizona’s backup O-line is huge – if Wilson or Robinson get after Brissett, it could force turnovers. On the flip side, the Cardinals’ secondary versus Las Vegas’ receivers – Melton and Clark need to contain Thornton’s big-play threat. The run game could decide it; if Benson or McCormick break loose, they’ll control the clock and keep the other side’s offense sidelined.
Weather in Glendale’s dome means no worries about conditions, but the Cardinals’ home crowd will bring playoff-level noise, even in preseason, which could rattle the Raiders’ backups. With cutdown day loomin’ on August 26, every snap’s a job interview – expect high effort but maybe some penalties from overeager rookies. A historical note: the Raiders beat the Cardinals 33-26 in their last preseason meetin’ in 2019, but Arizona’s 6-3 home record last season gives them an edge. Tuesday’s joint practice saw the Raiders’ defense disrupt Arizona’s second unit, which could carry over, but Gannon’s crew is motivated to protect their turf after the Denver loss.
Final Prediction
Alright, straight from the gut: The Cardinals’ home-field juice and Brissett’s experience give ‘em the edge, but the Raiders’ depth keeps it tight. I’m callin’ Arizona to pull out a 24-21 win, coverin’ the spread with a late Prater field goal.
3 Best Bets
- Cardinals Moneyline (-125): Arizona’s 1-1 with a strong home record and Brissett’s efficiency. They’re the safer bet at State Farm Stadium.
- Over 37.5 Total Points (-110): The Raiders hit the over in seven of their last eight preseason games, and both teams’ backups can move the ball. Expect points.
- Cardinals -1.5 (-110): Arizona’s depth and home energy lead to a narrow win, coverin’ the spread against the Raiders’ reserves.
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