The New Orleans Saints traveled to Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday, Oct. 27 in Week 8 of the season, and the big news surrounding the game was the return of starting quarterback Drew Brees, who was injured early in the season, sidelining him for several weeks. Teddy Bridgewater led the Saints on a 5-0 run while Brees watched from the sidelines.
Both teams came into Week 8 with a win the week prior, as the Cardinals defeated the Giants, 27-21, and the Saints were victorious over the Bears, 36-25. New Orleans looked to add to their 6-1 season, while the Cardinals hoped to have more wins than losses after this game since they came into the game 3-3-1.
In the end, Brees’ return was nothing short of stellar (except for one sack) and the Cardinals were completely unable to get in the end zone for any touchdown points and only put three field goals on the board in total, as the end score read 31-9.
Brees had an incredible first game following his injury, completing 34 of 43 passes for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
New Orleans received the ball first and began their streak of lengthy drives when they shaved over six minutes off the clock. Wil Lutz missed the opportunity to put the first points on the board with an unsuccessful 47-yard field goal attempt.
Arizona, on the other hand, was able to convert their first possession into points when Zane Gonzalez put his kick between the posts on a 31-yard field goal, putting the Cardinals on the board first, 3-0. The Saints then dominated the as Lutz connected for a 26-yard field goal in his next attempt, tying the game with just under six minutes on the clock. Latavius Murray soon rushed the ball eight yards for another Saints score, extending the lead 10-3. The Cardinals, who seemingly had no luck in putting touchdown points on the board, did put another field goal up when Gonzalez hit a 31-yard kick, closing the lead to only four points and making it a 10-6 game.
Drew Brees was 20 of 27 in the first half for 197 yards, and Murray recorded 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while Michael Thomas also played pretty well with seven receptions for 86 yards.
In the second half of the game, Arizona received the ball first and was unable to put up any points on their first drive, while New Orleans’ first drive ended early when a Brees pass was intercepted by Patrick Peterson.
Brees hit Murray again for a touchdown to open the second half.
In the drives to follow, Gonzalez put another three on the board to close the lead by three more 17-9. This would be the last score for the Cardinals, as the Saints put up another two scores for a total of three touchdowns in the second half.
Brees connected with Hill for five yards and another seven points, and later Brees passed the ball to Thomas for a nine-yard touchdown.
New Orleans will face the Falcons in Week 10 after a bye in Week 9. Arizona will face the undefeated 49ers in Thursday Night Football on Halloween night.
.@Cantguardmike13 👐#Saints | @FedEx pic.twitter.com/KHDiulA1S8
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 30, 2019
#LIVE: Coach Kingsbury addresses the media following today’s loss to New Orleans. https://t.co/w88fs49BXH
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 27, 2019
