9 keys to a Saints victory vs Cardinals

Saints will face a tough test vs the Cardinals in the dome on Sunday, but is the vaunted Cardinals defense really that scary, and is Kyler Murray really that guy at QB?

I took a look at the Cardinals week 16 game vs the Panthers in 2024 to see what the Panthers did that resulted in their defense giving up 36 points, and Kyler Murray having his 4th worst QB rating of the season. I also watched some snaps from all three pre-season games to get a feel for how they're currently deploying their defense.

There are quite a few things the Saints can duplicate on offense and defense that should give them a chance.

1. Call shot plays - Let their secondary know they'll be tested early and often.

2. Honey Bunches of Oats - Force their secondary into conflict by calling bunch formations in the redzone that require them to communicate, especially this early in the season.

3. Mix in jumbo formations - The strengths of the Cardinals defense are their Nickel and Dime packages. Use jumbo formations to force them into their base defense as a change-up throughout the game.

   
   

4. DB Heavy Gameplan - The Panthers consistently matched the Cardinals 11 Personnel with 1 DT, 4 LB, and 6 DB's. They mixed in traditional nickel coverage, but for the most part they kept speed on the field to limit Murray's damage during scrambles.

5. Wide 9 Alignment - By consistently lining up Edge rushers outside the TE, the Panthers forced Trey McBride to block before releasing into his routes. Because the alignment coerced 1 on 1's, the ball had to come out quickly, limiting his route tree to short and reducing his role from playmaker to a safety valve.

6. Gang Gang - Keep James Connor in check. He's a load, but if the Saints can make him stop his feet in the backfield it'll be easier for them to add more bodies to the pile to bring him down. Keep an eye on him in screens as well, he can do damage.

   
   

7. Roll out Rattler - Change his launch point, play action off it, naked boots. The defense flows aggressively so there will be plays to be had, however Rattler will need to hit on his throws when the opportunities present.

   
   

8. Mush rush and stunts - Kyler is good vs the blitz, but he's under 6'0 and if you muddy the pocket with stunts, you can obscure his vision when they are looking to attack down the field. Keeping him contained with a mush rush forces him to stay in the pocket and read coverages, he's likely to take the short play than force it down field.

   
   

9. Shotgun/Zone Read Option - The Cardinals base defense (Penny) can be run on if you get them moving lateral allowing for cutback lanes. Alvin Kamara could have a field day vs their light boxes as the Cardinals gave up 4.9 ypc during pre-season.

The Cardinals offense doesn't match-up well vs the Saints defense, as evidence by their performance vs the Panthers last year (Ejiro Evero runs Fangio defense), and Brandon Staley's 3-0 record vs Kyler Murray.

Having a homefield advantage should only accentuate that.

On the offensive side of the ball, as long as Spencer Rattler avoids costly turnovers, and uses his legs when the opportunity presents itself, the Saints should come away with their 1st win of the season and extend their streak to 7 straight week 1 victories

Prediction 23-17 Saints