Cardinals Edge Saints 20-13 in Season Opener

The Arizona Cardinals beat the New Orleans Saints 20-13 Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, seizing the lead on two Kyler Murray touchdown plays and key defensive stands in the fourth quarter. The Week 1 contest set the tone for Arizona’s revamped offense under coordinator Drew Petzing and exposed lingering discipline issues for the Saints.

The victory showcased the Cardinals’ balanced attack and opportunistic defense while highlighting New Orleans’ struggle with penalties and timely execution. Arizona’s ability to manufacture points on short fields and stifle Spencer Rattler in crucial moments underscored why the Cardinals are dark-horse contenders in the NFC West.

Key Moments

  • Early Field Goal: Matt Prater converted a 42-yard kick on Arizona’s opening drive to go up 3-0 in the first quarter.
  • Saints Respond: Alvin Kamara chopped through the right edge for an 18-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7 before halftime and marking the Saints’ first score of the season.
  • Harrison Jr. Explodes: Marvin Harrison Jr. turned a short Kyler Murray pass into a 45-yard gain, then followed up with a 1-yard touchdown to put Arizona ahead 14-7 in the third quarter.
  • Go-Ahead Score: James Conner slammed in a goal-line shovel pass from Murray just before halftime, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 17-10 after New Orleans failed to answer.
  • Late Drama: After Blake Grupe narrowed the margin to 20-13 with a 36-yard field goal, Arizona’s defense forced three straight punts to secure the win. Cameron Jordan’s sack on third down preserved the victory in the closing minutes.

Penalties and Missed Opportunities New Orleans was flagged eight times for 65 yards, halting two promising drives in Cardinals territory. An offensive holding penalty wiped out a Saints third-down conversion early in the fourth quarter, forcing a punt that led to Arizona’s decisive field-goal drive.

What’s Next Arizona travels to Dallas for a Monday Night Football rematch with the Cowboys, aiming to build on its early momentum. The Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, seeking to fix breakdowns before heading on the road to face a tough Carolina defense.