Las Vegas Raiders vs Arizona Cardinals

The Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals wrapped up their preseason meeting on August 23, 2025, at State Farm Stadium with Arizona pulling off a 20–10 victory. The Raiders looked sharp in the opening quarter as Geno Smith connected with rookie receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. on a crisp 17-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone early. The Cardinals responded quickly, with Clayton Tune finding Simi Fehoko for a 10-yard score to even things up and hint at the back-and-forth battle to come.

In the second quarter, Las Vegas briefly regained control through Daniel Carlson’s 52-yard field goal, showcasing his consistency as one of the league’s most reliable kickers. However, Arizona answered before halftime with Chad Ryland’s 23-yard kick, sending both sides into the locker room tied 10–10. That deadlock reflected the first half perfectly—neither team giving much away, but both showing flashes of preseason promise.

The game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter when Bam Knight exploded for a jaw-dropping 67-yard touchdown run. That single play changed the feel of the contest, energizing the home crowd and giving the Cardinals their first lead of the day. The Raiders’ defense, solid for much of the first half, looked rattled after the big play, while the Cardinals found new confidence to lean on their ground game.

By the fourth quarter, Arizona had settled into control. Ryland tacked on a 30-yard field goal, extending the lead to 20–10 and effectively sealing the outcome. The Raiders couldn’t find an answer on offense, finishing with just 241 total yards compared to the Cardinals’ 269. Turnovers—or the lack thereof—also told the story: Arizona stayed clean with zero giveaways, while Las Vegas struggled to sustain drives when it mattered most.

Individually, Geno Smith showed poise with his first-quarter strike, and Zamir White contributed steady rushing yards to keep Vegas competitive early. Yet it was Knight’s explosive playmaking and Tune’s composure that highlighted Arizona’s night, leaving the Cardinals to close their preseason at 2–1 while the Raiders remain winless at 0–2–1. Beyond the scoreboard, this matchup offered both coaches key insights ahead of roster cuts, with Arizona’s young weapons making a stronger case as the regular season looms.