By Nithinya Simuong — October 21, 2022 at 5:39 am
Two teams at the raise. And in this game, it is the Cardinals who give Kliff Kingsbury a reprieve.
Arizona Cardinals (3-4) – New Orleans Saints (2-5) : 42-34
Kyler Murray (20/29, 204 yards, 1 TD) found his favorite receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10 REC, 103 yards), who showed up for his return. But it was Arizona’s defense that stood out with 2 interceptions returned for touchdown that tipped the game.
A victory that stops a series of 8 consecutive defeats at home for Arizona. It is also the 12th consecutive defeat in a game in primetime for Andy Dalton as starting quarterback.
The turning point
While the Cardinals had just equalized at 14-14 thanks to Keontay Ingram on the run, Andy Dalton (30/47, 361 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INT) rocked the game by launching 2 interceptions on 2 successive attacks in the Last 2 minutes before half time. The first is due to the drop of Marquez Callaway, allowing Marco Wilson to go to the end zone.
Then, wanting to look for Chris Olave, the Saints quarterback did not see Isaiah Simmons who intercepted him for a pick six 56 yards. At halftime, New Orleans finds itself trailing 28-14 and will never come back into contact with its opponent.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ✈️@isaiahsimmons25 x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/Et0TqMM4Vf
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 21, 2022
Avantage New Orleans
However, the start of the game was to the advantage of New Orleans with a touchdown from 53 yards signed Rashid Shaheed. Despite Andy Dalton’s first interception in the end zone of Arizona, New Orleans went on the attack in the 1st half with a second touchdown from Taysom Hill on the run, his 6th of the season (14-6).
That was before the last 2 minutes of halftime fatal to Andy Dalton and the Saints.
Andy Dalton drops a DIME to Rashid Shaheed and we’ve got points early on #TNF! #NOvsAZ on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/aKjbRcE0ca pic.twitter.com/NfH2w9MmIW— NFL (@NFL) October 21, 2022
Hopkins on demonstration
In the 2nd half, New Orleans has the opportunity to reduce the mark following a good reception from Chris Olave (7 REC, 106 yards) towards the red zone but must settle for a field goal. And on a long series of 11 games and 80 yards, Greg Dortch receives the first touchdown pass of the game from Kyler Murray to widen the gap (34-17). A series where DeAndre Hopkins distinguished himself with 3 receptions to win first attempts.
The Saints will reduce the mark twice by tight-end Juwan Johnson on 2 passes from Dalton. But this is insufficient for the Saints where the defense has completely given up following another touchdown on the run from Eno Benjamin (12 races, 92 yards, 1 TD). A just reward for the running back from Arizona which enhances the good work of the offensive line on ground plays.
Despite everything, the air attack of Arizona still struggled and Kliff Kingsbury can thank his defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for his good defensive schemes.
