GLENDALE, Ariz. – It was reported that the Arizona Cardinals’ defense changed the game by allowing pick-sixes to player Andy Dalton on back-to-back drives prior to halftime. the team continued to pound it in the second quarter to defeat their opponents the New Orleans Saints 42-34.
The Cardinals score 42 points which is the highest score in a single game since Week 17 in 2016 and the most in the first game under Coach Kliff Kingsbury. The victory ended the streak of eight consecutive home defeats for Arizona that had been tied for the longest losing streak in the home arena since 1940.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were in need of winning this match in the most dire possible way. They had an unbeaten start, their offense weak and they were at the edge of a tailspin in the early season.
They then performed their best on television in front of an impressive defensive display which was which was highlighted by two interceptions that were returned to score touchdowns. Two pick-sixes — one made by Cornerback Marco Wilson followed by one by linebacker Isaiah Simmons on consecutive drives that made the Cardinals in the lead of a game tied at 14 prior to their first play.
The game on Thursday could turn out to be the the defining match of the Cardinals season. DeAndre Hopkins had a big impact in his first game since returning from suspension. He racked up 103 yards from 10 catches, and was able to acclimate to the offense as quickly as the Cardinals might have expected. However, the defense getting its groove back against the passing game, while supporting an offense that was able to find its own rhythm, was exactly what the Cardinals required to possibly change the direction of their season.
Define the game in two words Pick-sixes. The two interceptions that resulted in touchdowns towards the end of the first quarter provided the Cardinals an impressive lead of two touchdowns and allowed them to secure winning.
A bold prediction for the coming week: With ten days between Thursday’s match and Cardinals next game that’s at Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota Vikings, Robbie Anderson will have plenty of time to master the basics of the playbook and comprehend his role in order to be a more prominent part of the offense. — Josh Weinfuss
A statistic that is often overlooked A little-known fact: The Cardinals scored 28 points during the first quarter. In the first half the Cardinals scored 29 points in the first half of the first six games.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have made a commitment to rectify the mistakes, the poor tackles, and the badly-timed penalties. They’ve said repeatedly that there’s plenty of time to play.
After the sixth loss they’ve suffered in the last six games The Saints are becoming worse. Dalton allowed 14 points on his own with the two pick-sixes. the Saints defense did not help things, as the unit that used be the mainstay in the group has been struggling this season.
The injuries certainly played a role in the result with Wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry missing and three cornerbacks injured (Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, and Bradley Roby). The injuries are only an element of the issue however, as the same mistakes have accompanied the Saints since Week 1.
Breakdown of QB: Dalton as well as prime time performances don’t mix well. Dalton entered playing as the sole quarterback to drop five consecutive prime-time games by at minimum 17 points, since the year 1970. Dalton didn’t contribute to the streak when the Saints scored a few final touchdowns to narrow the gap. Dalton threw four touchdowns total and a pair of pick-sixes (one that was missed in the hands of the receiver Marquez Callaway) certainly didn’t make his reputation better for the prime-time game. In the wake of Jameis Winston starting to get fit it was the worst timing to allow Dalton to deliver a weak of a game if he would like to retain his starting quarterback position.
A troubling trend A troubling trend: The Saints entered their game having the lowest turnover ratio in the league. They did not help the stats. The defense did not take the ball back only once, but their offense was able to give it away three times. It’s no surprise that the Saints have been very in the way of turnovers this season and have been penalized at the most inconvenient moments. Saints Coach Dennis Allen has said multiple occasions that the team will tackle some of these issues, but to date there are no evidence of a solution.
The most significant flaw in the game’s plan of attack The Saints were able to make playmakers disappear at various points of the game. New player Rashid Shaheed, who made his NFL debut this week , scoring touchdowns on his first two professional catch, didn’t get any contact following a 53-yard touchdown catch in the opening quarter. Taysom Hill who only had one catch that led to the scoring catch, spent a significant portion time on the sidelines. The Saints have a shortage of players on offense, so , unless an injury-related issue, it’s odd not to to make use of players who have shown shining stars this season. — Katherine Terrell
A little-known fact to know: Saints quarterbacks have thrown six pick-sixes since the beginning of the season. They are they are tied for the league’s highest number in that time period alongside that of the Los Angeles Rams.
