Bickley: Carson Beck is ready to shoot his shot against the Rams
Carson Beck is the Arizona Cardinals' lottery ticket, and the ping pong balls are finally bouncing in the Valley.
Latest blog entries from Phoenix teams across every league
Carson Beck is the Arizona Cardinals' lottery ticket, and the ping pong balls are finally bouncing in the Valley.
On Tap Sports Net’s Week 10 fantasy guide advises starting QB Bryce Young (Saints) after a solid showing against Denver and using him as a Caleb Williams backup, and keeping Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) against the Falcons despite recent inconsistency. RB Jonathan Taylor (Colts) earns a start versus the Dolphins, while Blake Corum, Justin Jefferson, Germie Bernard and Tyler Warren also make the lineup. Sitters include Matt Stafford (Cardinals), Jordan Love (Vikings), Ashton Jeanty, Chase Brown, the Rams’ receivers, Ladd McConkey and Chig Okonkwo. The article cites defensive matchups, recent performances and roster changes to justify each decision.
Myles Garrett returns from a two‑month IR stint with three sacks and declares he will chase the NFL sack lead and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026. On the Rich Eisen Show, Garrett said he’ll chip away at the leaders week by week, targeting current leader Will Anderson’s 9.5 sacks. With another three‑sack game against the Cardinals looming, Garrett could break into the top‑10 before the Lions’ bye. He’s aiming for a 19‑sack finish in his last eight games, mirroring his 16‑sack, seven‑game stretch from 2025. Despite missing seven games, Garrett’s confidence fuels a bold comeback narrative.
With Stephen Curry out for at least two weeks, the Warriors lean on rookie Yaxel Lendeborg as their new offensive focal point. Teammates Georges Niang and Draymond Green praise Lendeborg’s consistency, strength and rapid growth, noting the team’s deeper young talent pool. Backup point guard Brandon Williams also misses time with a hamstring injury, boosting two‑way player LJ Cryer, who posted 13 points in 18 minutes versus Houston. Meanwhile, Suns forward Dillon Brooks pays a $500 fine after a speed‑limit violation and faces a Dec. 1 pretrial on a separate misdemeanor. The Clippers, now 2‑8, hear from lottery pick Keaton Wagler about staying resilient through a tough stretch.
Amid a disastrous 2026 season that sees Colts head coach Shane Steichen at 2‑7 and GM Chris Ballard out, the franchise may look to veteran Bruce Arians for a dramatic turnaround. In a recent FOX Sports interview, the Super Bowl‑winning former Buccaneers coach says he feels “the itch” to return after open‑heart surgery, boasting renewed energy. Arians’ résumé includes developing Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger into Pro Bowl talents and guiding the Cardinals to a 2015 Super Bowl win. With new owner Carlie Irsay Gordon poised to reshape the front office, the article weighs Arians against younger candidates like Brian Flores and Declan Doyle, highlighting his unique quarterback mentorship as a potential game‑changer for Indianapolis.
Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is accelerating his Ravens debut by staying late after practice for two consecutive days, throwing extra passes to receivers Zay Flowers, Ja’Kobi Lane and Devontez Walker. Acquired from the Arizona Cardinals after Lamar Jackson’s injury, Brissett aims to build timing and chemistry quickly under head coach Jesse Minter and OC Declan Doyle. In Arizona he completed 193 of 305 throws (63.3%) for 1,719 yards, 10 TDs and seven INTs in eight games. His extra work could be crucial as Baltimore seeks stability at the fourth quarterback spot this season.
The Phoenix Suns (4-6) host the Charlotte Hornets (4-7) on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Arizona time, marking the first showdown since the summer trade that sent Miles Bridges to Phoenix for Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. Bridges returns to face his former squad, while Allen’s familiarity could spark drama. The Hornets are shorthanded with Brandon Miller and Kon Kneuppel sidelined, giving the Suns a chance to exploit their depth after a strong bench effort versus the Clippers. Key matchups: Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks versus Grayson Allen, Naz Reid and Coby White. The preview predicts a Suns win, 125‑99, after a late third‑quarter surge.
The Houston Rockets remain one of the NBA’s strongest early‑season teams despite a recent two‑game skid that dropped them to No. 5 in The Athletic’s power rankings and to No. 7 on ESPN’s list. They boast the league’s second‑best offensive rating, a solid 10th‑best defensive rating and a +9.2 net rating, with six wins over opponents above .500—the most in the league. Key contributors include Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson and Marcus Smart, while Fred VanVleet struggles with a 40% field‑goal rate but improves turnover ratios. Recent close losses to Minnesota and Phoenix expose lingering lead‑blowing issues, but a win over Golden State and a 20‑plus point performance from Durant and Şengün could push them back into the top three as they head into games against Utah and Washington.
Week 10 arrives with the Philadelphia Eagles on a bye and a slim 0.4% playoff chance, turning the focus to the 2027 draft. The guide lists every game and advises fans which team to root for to improve Philly’s draft position. Key picks: back the Washington Commanders over the Giants, the Titans over the Jaguars (who Philadelphia now owns a first‑rounder), the Patriots to keep the Jaguars out of the playoffs, the Chargers, Falcons, Texans, Vikings, Dolphins, Saints, Jets, Raiders and Cardinals—all based on who threatens to leapfrog the Eagles in the draft order. The article also notes the Eagles' current 2‑7 record and draft‑related trades.
Carson Beck makes his first NFL start for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday versus the Los Angeles Rams after Jacoby Brissett departs and Gardner Minshew lands on season‑ending IR with a torn UCL. Beck, the 25‑year‑old third‑round pick, impressed in his lone preseason snap (188 yards, 1 TD, 125.4 passer rating) and boasts a 4‑1 college playoff record, but he now faces a Rams defense bolstered by Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. Arizona’s receiving corps is depleted, with Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne and Jeremiyah Love also on IR, leaving Beck to rely on Simi Fehoko, Reggie Virgil, Devin Duvernay and All‑Pro tight end Trey McBride.
The 2026 SnakePit Awards spotlight the Diamondbacks’ most electrifying single-game feats. Jose Fernandez’s debut on March 31 dazzles with a 3‑for‑4 night, two homers and four RBIs in a 7‑5 comeback win over Detroit, earning a +64.5% win‑probability boost. Merrill Kelly throws a rare complete game (9 IP, 1 R, 3 SO) at Coors Field, the first D‑backs starter to do so in 13 years. Reliever Gerardo Carrillo logs a historic +76.7% WP in 2 IP extra‑innings, the highest ever for an Arizona reliever and seventh‑best in the wild‑card era. Eduardo Rodriguez follows with eight shutout innings versus Pittsburgh, and Justin Martinez records an immaculate inning—one of only two for the club since 2013. These standout performances vie for the Single‑Game Performance of the Year award.
The Arizona Cardinals announce that defensive lineman Zach Carter and tight end Hunter Long have been designated to return from injured reserve, becoming eligible to practice and be activated within the next 21 days. Simultaneously, the team adds former Chargers offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer to the practice squad; Salyer, a 26‑year‑old who started 40 games at guard and tackle from 2022‑25, will wear #63. While Carter and Long won’t dramatically shift the season, they add needed depth amid widespread injuries.
Arians last coached in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
The article argues the Yankees should target Arizona’s second baseman Ketel Marte but refuse to trade outfielder Ben Rice. Marte, who hit 22 homers in 2026 but saw his OPS dip to .748, has a player‑option through 2031 and can veto any deal, making the price steep. Rice, a 41‑home‑run power hitter, still provides value at second base and could fill a first‑base/DH void if moved. The author suggests the Yankees either package a young, non‑starter pitcher for a modest return or simply retain Rice and seek another bat, warning against overpaying for Marte’s best season.
Former Cardinals and Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians says he’s feeling the “itch” to coach again after open‑heart surgery gave him a surge of energy. Arians, who retired in 2021 following an Achilles injury and back problems, told NFL insider Jordan Schultz that he misses the players and is considering a return. The speculation centers on the struggling Los Angeles Chargers, who sit 0‑8, and whether Arians could replace Jim Harbaugh if ownership decides to make a change. With a Super Bowl ring and proven play‑calling experience, Arians could be a dramatic hire for a team facing a potential 15‑plus loss season.
The Boston Red Sox have listed outfielder Jarren Duran, a former All-Star, as trade‑eligible, drawing interest from the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs. Duran’s OPS has slipped to .627 this season and he faces an $11 million arbitration salary, prompting some clubs to consider non‑tendering him instead. Yet he still posted 20 homers, 21 steals and solid left‑field defense in 2026, offering upside for a new environment. The Padres, long‑time suitors, and the Mariners, seeking a replacement for Randy Arozarena, emerge as the most plausible destinations, while the Cubs could fill outfield holes amid looming free‑agent exits.
The Arizona Cardinals declined a Bills proposal that would have given them strong second‑round draft value for star safety Budda Baker, sparking criticism that the move is “foolish” given the 30‑year‑old’s age and the team’s rebuild. While other clubs trade veteran talent for future assets, Arizona chose to keep Baker, signaling confidence in his long‑term role. The decision comes as the Cardinals prepare for a Sunday showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, where rookie QB Carson Beck makes his first start at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Ten games into the 2026‑27 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns surface in trade chatter as Bleacher Report links them to four star prospects: Domantas Sabonis, Darius Garland, Anthony Davis and Paolo Banchero. The Suns, who rely heavily on Devin Booker for scoring, seek a secondary creator and better interior play. Sabonis could boost rebounding and passing, Garland offers elite point‑guard skills but carries injury risk, Davis adds two‑way championship pedigree but is injury‑prone, and Banchero provides size, ball‑handling and a potential offensive spark beside Booker. Owner Mat Ishbia’s aggressive roster moves make any of these deals a possible blockbuster.
The Lakers escaped a potential crisis after star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves left Wednesday’s 115‑110 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks with injuries. Doncic, who leads the NBA with 38.6 points on 50% shooting, was knocked down by Kyle Kuzma’s foot and felt a sore ankle but said he’s fine. Reaves hurt his heel on a dunk; x‑rays are clear, though further imaging is pending. Both stars missed the remainder of the game, leaving the team to rely on Quentin Grimes or Collin Sexton, who are also dealing with ailments. The Lakers, 11‑2 and atop the West, next face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.
With rookie QB Carson Beck set to lead the Cardinals against the Rams, the team must find a reliable target after trading Marvin Harrison Jr. and losing Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Brooks to season‑ending injuries. Veteran Zay Jones, who spent the 2024‑25 seasons in Arizona, offers the most traditional receiving experience, while ex‑Pro Bowler Devin Duvernay brings speed and kickoff‑return prowess. Special‑teams standout Simi Fehoko also has a chance to break out. One of these three will need to become Beck’s go‑to weapon in a depleted passing attack.
Jadarian Price remains a valuable flex in PPR fantasy despite falling behind Zach Charbonnet in Seattle’s backfield. After both returning from IR, Price logged 12 touches (10 carries, 2 catches) in a 34-17 loss to Chicago and 13 touches (9 carries, 4 catches) in a 17-3 win over Arizona, showing a solid receiving role with 6 catches and 78 yards this week. Though his 2.79 YPC lags behind Charbonnet’s 4.81, the Raiders’ porous defense and Seattle’s 5-4 record make his receptions key for RB3 or flex spots. Expect Price to stay a PPR swing player rather than a primary ball carrier.
The Yankees’ top offseason priority is fixing a shaky bullpen, and GM Brian Cashman is eyeing a possible return of former reliever Jonathan Loaisiga. The 32‑year‑old right‑hander posted a 2.42 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 67 games for the Diamondbacks in 2026 after four seasons with New York. While New York, the Mets and the Blue Jays all express interest, the former Yankee hopes a positive past experience will sway him. Loaisiga emerges as one of the most sought‑after right‑handed relievers in free agency.
Bruce Arians, 74, reveals he’s “got the itch again” to return to NFL coaching after a five‑year break. After battling a torn Achilles, back issues and a heart aneurysm that led to his 2021 retirement, Arians underwent open‑heart surgery and now feels revitalized. He hasn’t spoken to any teams yet but says he’ll see what happens. Arians boasts a 80‑48‑1 career record, including a 2020 Super Bowl win with the Buccaneers and a 2015 NFC Championship run with the Cardinals.
Luka Dončić reassures fans after an ankle knock in the Lakers’ 123‑112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 11. Despite a brief limp and a free‑throw in garbage time, he told reporters he’s fine and expects no missed time. The star’s impact is evident: with Dončić on the floor the Lakers post a +19.3 net rating and a 131.0 offensive rating, while without him they drop to –11.1. Los Angeles remains 11‑2, riding a seven‑game streak, thanks to depth from Austin Reaves and others. The team heads into its final road game against Phoenix Sunday.
The Blue Jays checked in on Marte's availability last offseason with the Diamondbacks wanting controllable starting pitching in exchange.