On Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals will host the New Orleans Saints as both teams kick off their three-game preseason schedules. What do we need to keep an eye on when these two NFC foes face off?
Here’s everything you need to know about this Week 1 preseason matchup between the Saints and Cardinals, including how to watch, how to listen, the start time, and more.
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals
- Start time: Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, 8 p.m. ET
- Channel: Local
- Live stream options: NFL+
- Radio stations: WWL 870 AM/105.3 FM, Arizona Sports 98.7
- Starting QBs: TBD, Desmond Ridder
- Betting lines:
- Spread: ARI -1.5
- Total: 38
- Moneyline: ARI -135, NO +114
The final NFL game on Saturday will see the New Orleans Saints head to State Farm Stadium to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
QB Derek Carr and the Saints had a chance to clinch the NFC South last year. Amid a two-game win streak, a win against the Rams in Week 16 would’ve completed the run the New Orleans needed to win the AFC South.
Despite scoring 15 fourth-quarter points, the Saints couldn’t complete the comeback and fell 30-22. That loss practically ended their playoff chances, even with winning the final two games. With a new season ahead and the NFC South still up for grabs, can New Orleans return to the postseason for the first time in the post-Drew Brees era?
Carr’s going to have a more formidable challenge with dwindling weapons. WR Chris Olave remains with the team and is a bonafide WR1. However, the depth behind him is light. Rashid Shaheed was great last season, but he’s more of a WR3 or WR4, not a WR2. AT Perry had 12 receptions for 246 yards and four TDs last season. The Saints will desperately need someone to step up in the passing game.
New Orleans is still going strong with Alvin Kamara out of the gate regarding the rushing attack. While he started to find some room last year, the success of the Saints passing game is going to affect Kamara’s ability to find space. If Carr can’t move the ball effectively, defenses can key in on Kamara to slow down the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
While Carr is eager to take snaps in the preseason opener, it’s been made clear the 2024 preseason is about the backup battle between Jake Haener and rookie QB Spencer Rattler. Rattler was drafted in the fifth round, but it wasn’t long ago he was being looked at as a first-round pick. Did the Saints find a diamond in the rough?