Cardinals (3-3-1) at Saints (6-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MercedesBenz Superdome, New Orleans TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 9
Cardinals’ keys to victory: Arizona has to find ways to pressure the Saints’ quarterback (whoever ends up starting), which is easier said than done for a defense that ranks among the NFL’s lower half in sacks and will be facing one of the league’s best tackle duos, LT Terron Armstead and RT Ryan Ramczyk. On offense, it’s critical that the Cardinals try to take advantage of RB Chase Edmonds’ electric style of play against a New Orleans linebacker corps that lacks athleticism at the second level.
Saints’ keys to victory: The biggest question this week surrounds the quarterback position. This Cardinals game has been the goal QB Drew Brees set for himself as when he hoped to return from thumb surgery. But backup QB Teddy Bridgewater has managed things well in his absence, and the Saints sit near the top of the NFC after a month-long winning streak. On defense, the Saints must contain WR Larry Fitzgerald.
Matchup to watch: Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson vs. Saints WR Michael Thomas. Peterson returned from suspension in Week 7 and should be ready to stand out in a Cardinals defense that has struggled against the pass. With TE Jared Cook and RB Alvin Kamara both battling ankle injuries, Thomas is even more of a goto threat for the Saints.
Who wins? New Orleans is one of the deepest teams in the league, even with Brees and Kamara on the mend. The Cardinals are fielding one of the thinnest squads and seem to add new players each week off waivers just to fill out the roster. But it will be close.
Saints, 20-17
Saints
Cardinals schedule
T ........... Detroit ........... 27-27 L ...... at Baltimore ...... 23-17 L .......... Carolina .......... 38-20 L ........... Seattle ........... 27-10 W ..... at Cincinnati ..... 26-23 W .......... Atlanta .......... 34-33 W .... at N.Y. Giants .... 27-21 Oct. 27 .. at New Orleans .. 1 Oct. 31 San Francisco 8:20 Nov. 10 ... at Tampa Bay ... 1 Nov. 17 at San Francisco 4:05 Nov. 24 .............. BYE .............. Dec. 1 ..... L.A. Rams ..... 4:05 Dec. 8 .... Pittsburgh .... 4:25 Dec. 15 .... Cleveland .... 4:05 Dec. 22 .... at Seattle .... 4:25 Dec. 29 . at L.A. Rams . 4:25
Saints schedule
W ........ Houston ........ 30-28 L ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 27-9 W ....... at Seattle ....... 33-27 W .......... Dallas .......... 12-10 W ..... TampaBay ..... 31-24 W...atJacksonville...13-6 W ...... at Chicago ...... 36-25 Oct. 27 ........ Arizona ........ 1 Nov. 3 .............. BYE .............. Nov. 10 ........ Atlanta ........ 1 Nov. 17 .. at Tampa Bay .. 1 Nov.24 ....... Carolina ....... 1 Nov. 28 ... at Atlanta ... 8:20 Dec.8 ...SanFrancisco ...1 Dec. 16 . Indianapolis . 8:15 Dec.22 ..atTennessee ..1 Dec. 29 .... at Carolina ..... 1