Jeremiyah Love’s first start helps Cardinals’ offense click in preseason win over Raiders

The Cardinals opened their preseason in Las Vegas looking for early rhythm from a new-look attack, and running back Jeremiyah Love turned his moment into a centerpiece. Arizona won 27-14, and Love’s first start stood out as the offense found consistent downhill movement that translated into points.

According to the team’s game recap, Love entered the opener with the hope of playing and delivered the kind of performance coaches look for at this stage: touches that set up play-action and an ability to operate through contact without forcing the offense to abandon its scheme. The Cardinals’ scoring output, coming in the same game where the run game produced traction, framed Love as more than a preseason cameo.

Love’s role also matters because preseason games often determine how a staff plans its earliest regular-season workload. A strong first start does not guarantee a weekly snap chart, but it can clarify which packages are ready to carry over. For Arizona, the takeaway was that the offense could move the ball without relying entirely on chunk passing plays.

The Cardinals also benefited from the way the game unfolded. A 27-14 margin is large enough to suggest Arizona controlled stretches rather than simply finishing a volatile sequence. When a running back can keep the chains moving, it reduces the frequency of third-and-long downs and gives quarterbacks a more manageable set of decisions.

Against the Raiders, the matchup offered a clear test of whether Arizona could impose its identity against a defensive unit that is also evaluating personnel. The team’s recap emphasized Love’s impact as the offense clicked, indicating his production aligned with the Cardinals’ planned emphasis for the preseason opener.

As the preseason continues, the next question is how quickly the Cardinals can sustain what worked in the first start. Fans will be watching whether Love’s early momentum is followed by consistent second- and third-quarter production, and whether Arizona can maintain game-to-game balance between the run and the passing game.

For now, Love’s first start gives Arizona a positive early data point in a preseason that can otherwise blur into experimentation. If the Cardinals can keep building on the rushing foundation established in this 27-14 win, the offense should enter the later preseason weeks with a clearer plan and more confidence executing it.