Arizona Survives Late Scare in New Orleans
The 2025 regular season began Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals, as they took on the New Orleans Saints from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Arizona sought to carry over the success it had achieved during the preseason by making a statement against the Saints to open the regular season. Despite having the game come down to the very last play, the Cardinals were able to sneak out a 20-13 win on Sunday. A strong offensive second quarter and a sturdy second-half defense led the way for Arizona’s season-opening win.
Second Quarter Offense Keeps Cardinals in Front
Entering Sunday’s game, the Arizona offense looked to take the next step after showing signs of promise during the 2024 season. Quarterback Kyler Murray entered year seven with the Cardinals, as he looked to prove that he can still be the long-term answer in Arizona. To start the game, Murray was able to connect with his star tight end, Trey McBride, for 11 yards to move the sticks early. However, Murray ended up getting sacked for the same amount of yards on the very next play, eventually leading to the first punt of the game. While it wasn’t the start that Arizona wanted, it was able to pick it up following a quick three-and-out hold by the Cardinals' defense on New Orleans’ first offensive drive.
The first score of the game would come from a kicker, Chad Ryland 42-yard field goal, as Murray and the Arizona offense were able to find some rhythm following its first drive by going on an 11-play, 42-yard drive to go up 3-0 early. The Saints would then follow by scoring the first touchdown of the game, which then put the pressure on the Cardinals to answer with their own touchdown. Luckily for Arizona, it was able to capitalize, as Murray would connect with second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for a one-yard score, after connecting with him earlier on the drive for a 45-yard completion. Harrison Jr. would finish the game leading the Cardinals in yards with 71 on five receptions, along with the one-yard touchdown.
After New Orleans found a way to answer back by tying the game at 10, Murray and the Arizona offense were able to take the lead with another touchdown, as running back James Conner scored on a four-yard reception from Murray. The 10-play, 71-yard drive ended up playing an integral part in the game, as it would not only give the Cardinals a seven-point lead going into halftime, but it would also be the last touchdown drive of the game. McBride would help fuel this scoring drive, as he would have two catches for a combined 36 yards to help get Arizona in scoring range. McBride finished his day leading the Cardinals in receptions with six, going for 61 yards. While Arizona would only find a way to scrounge three more points together in the second half, a strong second quarter helped the Cardinals pull away in the end with a season-opening win.
Arizona’s Defense Tightens Up in Second Half, Survives Late Scare
With the Cardinals' offense helping get the team into a favorable position heading into halftime, it was then left up to the Arizona defense to halt the Saints’ offense to secure a Week One win. Needless to say, the Cardinals' defense was able to live up to the task, as they only allowed three points the rest of the game. The drive to open up the second half featured Arizona’s lone sack of the game, as linebacker Baron Browning brought down New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler for a six-yard loss, effectively ending the drive as the Saints were forced to punt. The drive following would not prove as fortunate early on, as New Orleans would find itself in a position to get another field goal on the board, but would end up not being the case as Saints kicker Blake Grupe missed a 37-yard field goal wide left.
The Cardinals' defense would then follow this drive by holding New Orleans to another pair of punts before eventually giving up a 28-yard field goal to bring the game to within one score. While Murray and the Arizona offense faltered to put the game away, it was once again left to the Arizona defense to hold stout and secure the season-opening win. A quick-tempoed Saints offense pushed the Cardinals' defense to their limits until the final four plays of the game, where Arizona would finish with the upper hand, forcing Rattler to throw three straight incompletions to end the game with the Cardinals on top. Despite giving up a game total of 315 yards, Arizona had some help in obtaining a Week One win, as New Orleans would commit 11 penalties throughout the game that dug them a hole too big to climb out of.
