Glendale, Arizona – The defenses of the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals were in midseason form Saturday at State Farm Stadium, while both teams’ offenses were sluggish as the teams entered halftime of their season opener with the Saints leading 6-0.
All of the Saints’ available offensive players were involved, with quarterback Derek Carr playing the first two series. Most of the starters left the game after those possessions, but tackles Taliese Fuago and Trevor Penning played into the second quarter.
The Saints defense used every available starter and put good pressure on Arizona quarterback Desmond Ridder. Carl Granderson and Nathan Shepherd shared a sack and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee added another. Rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry started at cornerback and played well.
The teams combined for seven punts and no touchdowns. The Cardinals didn’t get their first first down until a third of the way into the second quarter. Carr completed two of six carries for 12 yards before being replaced by Jake Haener, who completed nine of 13 carries for 107 yards. Jamaal Williams was the best runner with six carries for 20 yards.
A fourth-down stop by linebacker Willie Gay gave the Saints their best scoring opportunity. Starting at the Cardinals’ 47-yard line, Haener led a 10-play, 40-yard drive that ended with kicker Blake Grupe making a 26-yard field goal with 2:58 left in the half.
The Cardinals had a good chance to score on the next possession, but Ridder’s pass on fourth-and-2 from the 12-yard line was incomplete. The Saints took control and Haener hit receiver AT Perry on a 58-yard pass down the left sideline. After a short pass, Haener’s pass into the end zone was incomplete, allowing Grupe to make a 33-yard field goal.
Penalties were a problem for the Saints, as they received seven penalties for 45 yards, including two 10-yard holding penalties (Penning, Oli Udoh).
These Saints players did not dress for the game: Paulson Adebo, Ugo Amadi, Demario Davis, Trajan Jeffcoat, Niko Lalos, Marshon Lattimore, Bub Means, Kendre Miller, Equanimeous St. Brown, Nick Saldiveri, Rashid Shaheed, Mason Tipton and Pete Werner.
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