Cardinals Escape Saints Upset Bid in Chaotic Week 1 Win

NO 7, AZ 3

Arizona wasted no time responding, as Murray found Marvin Harrison Jr. deep downfield for 45 yards.

A few plays later, Harrison was found in the end zone to push Arizona back in the lead.

AZ 10, NO 7

At this point, Rattler had looked settled into the Saints' game plan and helped lead New Orleans into scoring territory, though they were forced to settle for a Blake Grupe 36-yard field goal to even the score.

Rattler started the game 0-2 but since completed his last 8-9 passes.

AZ 10, NO 10

Arizona was able to chew some major clock as the second half came to a close, find the end zone on a James Conner shovel pass with just 28 seconds remaining in the first half.

AZ 17, NO 10

The Saints ran the clock out and hit the locker room to close out the first half.

Third Quarter

The Saints were unable to get anything going on the first drive of the third quarter, as Baron Browning got home to sack Rattler - forcing a punt.

A 52-yard rush by Trey Benson set the Cardinals up in prime position to extend their lead - though Ryland was eventually forced out to (successfully) kick a 50-yard try.

AZ 20, NO 10

New Orleans, on their ensuing drive, looked as if they were going to draw Arizona's lead back to one possession, though Grupe missed a 37-yard field goal to hand the Cardinals possession once again - though Arizona wasn't able to make good on their opportunity near the end of the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Pinned near their own end zone, Murray missed an open Harrison on a post route before finding the second-year wideout on third down to keep the chains (and clock) moving early in the fourth.

New Orleans' defense held strong, however, batting Murray's third-down attempt to Trey McBride down and forcing a punt.

A massive hit by Johnson sent Olave back to the blue medical tent, and the Cardinals defense ultimately proved to be too much for Rattler to get anything going.

New Orleans had to again punt, and a good return by Greg Dortch set Arizona up in Saints territory with under ten minutes remaining.

The Cardinals were able to bleed some clock down under five minutes - though New Orleans blocked Ryland's next attempt and kept hope alive for a comeback.

With the Cardinals in prevent mode and New Orleans going up tempo, it didn't take long for Rattler and co. to march down field.

Facing a fourth-and-goal, the Saints opted to kick a 23-yard field goal rather than going for it with 2:42 to play.

AZ 20, NO 13

New Orleans opted to play the long game instead of a trying an onside kick - which proved to be the right call. Arizona went three-and-out and New Orleans was able to get the ball back with just under two minutes to play.

Slowly but surely Rattler marched the Saints down to the red zone with no timeouts - and nearly tied the game with four seconds left before Juwan Johnson dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone.

New Orleans wasn't able to get anything going on their final play of the game, as Rattler's pass to Chris Olave fell out of bounds, ending the game.