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Kent Somers and Bob McManaman break down how the Cardinals performance versus the Raiders might impact the roster, and discuss what Raiders coach Jack del Rio said about Marshawn Lynch sitting during the anthem.
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Kent Somers and Bob McManaman break down things to watch before the Cardinals host the Raiders in the Cardinals’ second preseason game of 2017.
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and safety Tyrann Mathieu discuss that earning a nickname from Arians isn’t always a good thing.
Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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Mark Faller and Kent Somers discuss the Arizona Cardinals’ strategy with QB Carson Palmer.
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The Arizona Cardinals play the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night and Arizona’s starting quarterback, Carson Palmer, has been taking it easy in practice this week. Cause for concern? Kent and Mac break it down.
Patrick Breen/ azcentral sports
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Cardinals insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss Byron Leftwich calling plays into Carson Palmer and more after Wednesday’s practice in Glendale.
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Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman provide updates on the punters, returners, Justin Bethel and John Brown after Tuesday’s practice. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Kent Somers provide their takeaways from the weekend in Canton, Ohio.
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Greg Moore of azcentral sports talks with Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians about the upcoming 2017 season.
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Greg Moore of azcentral sports talks with Arizona Cardinals Head Coach about charities in the Valley. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman break down good news for the Cardinals the injury front, each quarterback’s playing time in the second preseason game and Larry Fitzgerald after Sunday’s practice. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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Cardinals insiders Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman talk about the Cardinals performance in their first game as well as the mounting injuries to the squad. || David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach discuss the latest with the Cardinals and the Hall of Fame Game.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert talks about his upcoming role as the starter in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game against the Cowboys. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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Arizona Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk about the Cardinals second day of practice outside and their trip to face the Cowboys. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians being tough on the team and the Diamondbacks’ playoff chase.
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Arizona Cardinals Insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk about the Cardinals practice outside on Monday morning and a new addition to the team.
David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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With the devastating loss of Ron Zamort to an ACL, the Cardinals continue their search for the CB to start opposite Patrick Peterson.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Bob McManaman break down the Arizona Cardinals’ Red-White practice Saturday afternoon in Glendale.
Hannah Gaber-Saletan/ azcentral sports
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Greg Moore and Kent Somers break down the Cardinals Red-White practice preview.
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Kent Somers and Bob McManaman of azcentral sports give their take after Arizona Cardinals practice at University of Phoenix Stadium, Friday, July 28, 2017. || Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somer and Bob McManaman break down the Arizona Cardinals final practice before the team’s 2017 Red-White practice.
Tom Tingle/ azcentral.com
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azcentral sports reporters Rick Morin and Bob McManaman wrap up the activity at Arizona Cardinals training camp on July 27, 2017.
Tom Tingle/ azcentral.com
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss early concerns for the Arizona Cardinals at training camp.
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Three takeaways from Cardinals training camp
Terrance Smith/azcsports
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azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman wraps-up the action from Arizona Cardinals training camp in Glendale. By Rob Schumacher
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azcentral sports Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman wrap-up Day 2 at Arizona Cardinals training camp. By Rob Schumacher
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Bob McManaman on the first day of Arizona Cardinals training camp. || By Rob Schumacher
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman reporting day at Arizona Cardinals training camp in Glendale.
By Rob Schumacher/ azcentral sports
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach weigh in on pressing issues with the Cardinals and Diamondbacks.
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach discuss Cardinals camp, Tyrann Mathieu’s status and more in our Shot Clock video.
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Kent Somers of azcentral sports sits down to talk with new Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker at the team’s Tempe training facility. Baker played college ball at the University of Washington. | Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports; Kent Somers discusses what we learned from the Cardinals minicamp.
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers breaks down the Cardinals second day of minicamp on June 7, 2017.
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers wraps up the Arizona Cardinals’ first day on minicamp on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss Blaine Gabbert’s role with the Cardinals and LeBron James’ performance in the NBA finals.
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discusses another week of the Cardinals’ OTAs. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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Bob McManaman of azcentral sports wraps up the Arizona Cardinals practice at their Tempe facility, Tuesday, May 30, 2017..
Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Azcentral’s Kent Somers and Bob McManaman catch up during second week of OTAs at the Cardinals Training Facility.
azcentral.com sports
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Coaches and players talk about the importance of head coach Bruce Arians’ family fundraiser at Top Golf in Gilbert. (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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How has free-agent QB Blaine Gabbert adjusted so far to the Arizona Cardinals? (Michael Chow/azcentral sports)
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the NBA MVP, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers and the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive backs.
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azcentral sports insiders Kent Somers and Bob McManaman react to the big news from the first day of Cardinals OTAs. Video: Rob Schumacher
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The NFLPA has released its 2017 Rising 50 list of players poised to break out and rank among next season’s top-sellers in officially licensed merchandise and the Cardinals running back is No. 1.
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss the latest on Arizona Cardinals’ Carson Palmer and the NBA playoffs.
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Shot Clock: Colin Kaepernick is better than Blaine Gabbert, right? So why did the Cardinals not sign him? Also, Zack Greinke has his Randy Johnson moment … what does it mean for Diamondbacks?
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With camp starting tomorrow, players reported today and reporter Kent Somers lays out the future and what the team hopes for it.
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Cardinals insider Kent Somers gives some insight into the releasing of Daryl Washington and why it was probably best for both team and player.
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azcentral’s Kent Somers and Dan Bickley talk about the Cardinals decision to release linebacker Daryl Washington.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Bob McManaman weigh in on the Cardinals’ signing of Blaine Gabbert.
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Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about mini-camp, his excitement about undrafted rookies, LB Daryl Washington and QB Blaine Gabbert at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians about Arians’ annual fundraiser at Steak 44 on Wednesday. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
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The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday that former St. Louis Cardinals QB Jim Hart would be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this season.
Wochit
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Kent Somers discuss what to expect from the Cardinals’ 2017 NFL draft class.
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Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley assess the Arizona Cardinals’ selection of Haason Reddick in Round 1 of the NFL draft and discuss the needs the team still has to address.
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Check out how Cardinals fans were feeling during the team’s 2017 NFL draft party.
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With plenty of defense options on the table and all the quarterbacks gone, the Cardinals elected to go linebacker and Kent and Bob break down the reasons why.
Patrick Breen/azcentral.com
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Arizona Cardinals’ general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians have found some of their best players in the third round.
Wochit
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Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones discuss the importance of giving back and some bets amongst Cardinals players before the Larry Fitzgerald Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday at Salt River Fields. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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azcentral sports Cardinals insider Kent Somers talks with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Fostee Rucker. || Video by Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Cardinals defensive tackle Frostee Rucker discusses learning from last year’s expectations and adding Karlos Dansby and other veterans. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Breaking down the top three games of the Cardinals’ 2017 season.
Wochit
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Shot Clock: azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman discuss the Cardinals’ potential use (or overuse?) of running back David Johnson.
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azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald discuss Fitzgerald’s charity softball tournament on Saturday.
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The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald joined azcentral sports’ Kent Somers to discuss the team and the upcoming season.
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Bob McManaman and Kent Somers at the NFL owners meetings on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Bruce Arianas likes full-time officials, centralized replay and says there’s 1 QB in upcoming draft who’s plug-and-play. Video: Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Coaches of the National Football Conference take questions from the media in Phoenix on March 29, 2017. Tom Tingle/azcentral sports
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Cardinals Raiders preseason postgame
Cardinals vs. Raiders pregame
Bruce Arians, Tyrann Mathieu on Arians’ nicknames
Shot Clock: Cardinals protecting QB Palmer?
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman on Cardinals final practice before Raiders game
Somers, McManaman recap Wednesday’s Cardinals practice
Somers, McManaman on punting after Tuesday Cardinals practice
Shot Clock: Good, bad of Cardinals’ 1st game
Greg Moore speaks with Cards head coach Bruce Arians
Greg Moore and Bruce Arians talk charities
Bordow, McManaman recap Sunday Cardinals practice, good injury news
Bordow, McManaman break down the Cardinals’ first preseason game, injuries
Gabbert’s big chance, special team auditions
Cardinals QB Gabbert looks forward to starting Hall of Fame Game
Cardinals report: Crisper practice Tuesday
Shot Clock: Arians changes tone with Cardinals
Breaking down an intense Cards practice
Cornerback drama continues for Cardinals
Greg Moore and Bob McManaman break down the Red-White practice
Cardinals Red-White practice preview
Somers, McManaman on Gruden possibility, CB battle
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman break down Cardinals practice
Wrapping up the day at Cardinals Camp- July 27 edition
Shot Clock: Early hiccups for Cardinals
Take away from Cardinals Camp July 24
azcentral sports’ Bob McManaman wraps up the action at Cards camp
azcentral sports Scott Bordow and Bob McManaman wrap-up Day 2 at Arizona Cardinals training cam
Moore, McManaman wrap up opening day at Cardinals training camp
azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Bob McManaman reporting day at Arizona Cardinals training camp
David Johnson’s work load; D-Backs’ head games
Shot Clock: Cards kick off fan-friendly camp
Somers sits down with Cardinals rookie Budda Baker
Kent Somers: Impressions from Cardinals minicamp
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals minicamp Wednesday
Kent Somers recaps Cardinals practice
Shot Clock: Blaine Gabbert a keeper for Cardinals?
Kent Somers, Bob McManaman talk another week of Arizona Cardinals OTAs
Bob McManaman after Cardinals practice Tuesday, May 30
Kent and Bob talk new NFL rules and wide out depth
Arians Family Foundation Fundraiser at Top Golf
Report card on Cardinals QB Blaine Gabbert
Watch out for Dodgers; Cards CBs apply for job
What Deone Bucannon’s injury means for Cardinals
David Johnson No. 1 on NFL Players Association list
No throws for Cards QB, cheap shot in NBA?
Kaepernick blackballed? Greinke now trade bait?
Kent Somers talks Cardinals rookies
Kent Somers talks Daryl Washington departure
Cardinals release linebacker Daryl Washington: Somers and Bickley discuss
Shot Clock: Gabbert a terrible fit for Cards
Somers sits down with Arians on Cardinals’ offseason
Bruce Arians talks about his annual fundraisers
Jim Hart to be inducted into Cardinals Ring of Honor
Shot Clock: Cards picks make instant impact?
Shot Clock: Tap brakes on Haason Reddick pick?
Sights and sounds from Cardinals draft party
Kent Somers and Bob McManaman talk Cardinals draft of Haason Reddick
Keim, Arians striking gold in draft’s third round
Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones talk about Celebrity Softball Game
Kent Somers talks with Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker
Cardinals DT Frostee Rucker on expectations, adding Karlos Dansby
Top 3 games in Cardinals schedule
Cards playing dangerous game with RB Johnson?
Larry Fitzgerald holding 7th annual charity softball tournament
Larry Fitzgerald 1-on-1 with Kent Somers
NFL meetings in Phoenix: On Bruce Arians, new rules, the draft
NFC coaches take questions at NFL owners meeting
The Cardinals’ performance in the first half of their preseason game Saturday night against Oakland likely will bring smiles to coach Bruce Arians and his staff.
It’s not that it was flawless. But the good far outweighed the bad, and there were just enough mistakes mixed in to keep everyone humble and hungry when the fourth week of training camp opens on Monday.
The Cardinals led 17-3 at halftime with both the first and second offensive units scoring. They converted on eight of 10 third downs, and the defense limited the Raiders to 121 yards.
Backups took over in the second half and the Cardinals held on for a 20-10 victory in front of 64,183 at University of Phoenix Stadium.
“It could have been cleaner, could have been better,” quarterback Carson Palmer said of the first-team offense’s performance. “But that’s why we have these games, and that’s why we’re early on in training camp.”
RELATED: Drew Stanton strengthens hold on Cardinals’ backup QB job
The Cardinals opened the game with a 14-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that featured a variety of personnel groups, formations and plays.
The first unit was efficient. David Johnson carried three times for 16 yards and then was done for the night. His backup, Chris Johnson, didn’t have as much success, losing yardage on two of his three runs.
Like most of the starters, Palmer played just the one series. It went fairly well for him; he completed 4 of 8 for 39 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brittan Golden on third and goal.
“The first thing that was great was the protection,” Palmer said. “That let me get to my fifth read of the play. I think it was third-and goal from the 10 or 11 (it was the 12-yard line). So it’s a tough situation to be in but Britt did a great job of getting open.”
But Palmer missed on other throws, too. The most noticeable came from midfield when he overthrew Jaron Brown, who was open down the middle. With an accurate throw, Brown would have scored easily.
Later, Palmer and Brown appeared to have a miscommunication on a quick slant, and the pass was incomplete.
The offensive line impressed during its brief appearance. Palmer was barely touched on his eight passes, but the run blocking was difficult to judge, given the lack of plays.
David Johnson had the longest run of the first drive, bouncing outside for 10 yards.
The Cardinals defense also impressed on the first possession. The Raiders broke a couple of plays early and gained 41 yards to the Cardinals’ 34.
The Cardinals stiffened on third down, and defensive end Josh Mauro deflected kicker Sebastian Janikowski’s 51-yard field goal attempt.
There is an asterisk, however. Some of the Raiders’ most dangerous offensive threats didn’t play, including quarterback Derek Carr, receiver Amari Cooper and running back Marshawn Lynch.
The Cardinals were in their nickel defense most of the time and didn’t do anything elaborate.
Coordinator James Bettcher did provide a glimpse of how the team might use their first-round pick, linebacker Haason Reddick.
Reddick lined up inside on most of the plays, but did rush from the edge once. That’s something he did effectively in college at Temple, and it’s a role he could fill when linebacker Deone Bucannon returns from an ankle injury.
The second-team offense, led by quarterback Drew Stanton, took over midway through the first quarter and moved the ball as well as the first unit.
But on second down at the Raiders’ 27, running back Kerwynn Williams was stuffed near scrimmage and had the ball stripped from him. The Raiders recovered at their 22.
Most of the Cardinals’ starting defense returned for another series. Cornerback Tramon Williams replaced Patrick Peterson and then missed a tackle on third down that gave the Raiders a first down.
There were some positive developments on that possession, however. Tackle Robert Nkemdiche replaced Frostee Rucker and made two nice plays against the run. And the Cardinals stuffed the Raiders on two consecutive short-yardage plays and took over at their 46-yard line.
Stanton played well in his first preseason appearance. After Blaine Gabbert’s impressive performance last week against the Cowboys, there had been speculation that Stanton’s job as Palmer’s backup was in jeopardy.
Arians took some air out of that last week, and Stanton validated his coach’s confidence in him. Stanton completed five of his first six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.
He was nifty moving around the pocket, twice dodging defenders to complete passes. His touchdown pass came on third and goal from the 7. Flushed from the pocket, Stanton drifted to his right, buying time for one of his receivers to find open space.
Tight end Troy Niklas did, moving from the back of the end zone to the goal line. Stanton threaded the pass to Niklas, and the Cardinals led 14-0 with 7:19 left in the half.
Stanton completed 11 of 15 passes in the first half, and his only mistake was overthrowing Chris Hubert for a sure touchdown late in the half.
The Cardinals’ special teams, a weakness last year, played well in the first half. Williams returned the opening kick 30 yards, Mauro blocked the field goal and linebacker Scooby Wright forced a fumble on a kickoff in the second quarter.
The Raiders recovered but started the possession at their 13.
One of the only blemishes for the Cardinals defense was allowing the Raiders to move into field-goal position late in the half.
RELATED: Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch sits during national anthem
MORE: Kerwynn Williams gets 1st crack as Cardinals’ returner
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