Cardinals Triumph Over Saints in Thrilling Season Opener in New Orleans!

The Game Recap: NEW ORLEANS – In a thrilling finish at the Caesars Superdome, Budda Baker found himself in a tough spot. With seconds left, he saw Saints tight end Juwan Johnson reach high for a pass, joking that Johnson might have been 11½ feet off the ground. Baker and teammate Jalen Thompson made a desperate attempt to disrupt the catch.

“When I heard the crowd’s reaction, I thought, ‘Did he catch it?'” Baker recalled. Thankfully, he hadn’t. The disappointed Saints fans erupted in disbelief as the Cardinals secured a 20-13 win in their season opener.

While the win mattered most, the game was a mixed bag for the Cardinals. “That’s all that counts,” Baker said, smiling widely afterward.

Head Coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the challenges teams face at the start of a new season. “I’m most pleased we came out 1-0,” he stated.

The day was a bit rocky for the Cardinals. Quarterback Kyler Murray had been feeling under the weather but still managed to throw two touchdown passes. He also connected on a brilliant 45-yard completion to Marvin Harrison Jr., setting up a key score.

Despite their chances, the Cardinals struggled to expand their lead in the second half. A blocked field goal by Chad Ryland kept the game close, bringing added pressure late.

Center Hjalte Froholdt expressed the team’s mixed emotions. “We’d have liked one more first down to run out the clock,” he said. But with the defense holding strong, they felt confident moving forward.

Murray, determined despite his illness, mentioned he was always planning to play. “Of course, I want to do more offensively. But I’m happy we won,” he said.

Overall, the Cardinals’ offense had its hurdles. While tight end Trey McBride and Harrison performed well, Murray ended the game with only 163 passing yards. The bright side? He didn’t turn over the ball and added another 38 yards on the ground, although he was sacked five times.

Defensively, Baron Browning got a sack, but newcomer Josh Sweat was notable for creating pressure. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler found openings occasionally, and Gannon credited their game plan for limiting the Cardinals’ pass rush.

“If you keep the score at just 13, you should win many games,” Gannon said confidently.

A palpable sense of joy filled the locker room. Gannon emphasized the importance of learning from the game, but the excitement of a first win was unmistakable. It set a positive tone for the season ahead.

As safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson noted, tackling challenges head-on has been their focus since the 2024 season ended. “We worked hard for this. We’re happy today, but tomorrow we prepare for the next opponent,” he said.

This early season win shows the importance of resilience and preparation, key attributes that will define the Cardinals’ journey this season.

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