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
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?
The Cardinals’ 2023 campaign was one to be forgotten. With Kyler Murray not returning until Week 10 of the 2023 season, the Cardinals finished 4-13 with three different quarterbacks playing in at least seven games. While Murray will not play in any preseason action, he will be ready to start in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season.
The Cardinals’ most significant addition this offseason was 2024 fourth-overall pick WR Marvin Harrison Jr. The former Buckeye is just the latest talented wideout in a long line of Ohio State receivers. During his collegiate career, he amassed 155 receptions for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns. He immediately becomes the Cardinals’ WR1, needing someone else to step up as the number two option.
TE Trey McBride led all pass catchers in yards last season, and their touchdowns leader, Marquise Brown, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Arizona is expecting one of Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, or Zay Jones to step up and take over next to Harrison Jr.
It’ll be up to QBs Desmond Ridder and Clayton Tune to help the Cardinals determine how the WR depth will look in the preseason.
The Cardinals are still a work in progress in Jonathan Gannon’s second season as head coach. While they should make strides this season compared to their 4-13 2023 finish, expecting to compete in a top-heavy NFC West is unfair. Improvement should be the goal.
Cardinals vs. Saints Betting Preview
This game feels like it could be fairly ugly, especially if Kyler Murray and Derek Carr do not play much. The Cardinals have the more intriguing backup option, especially with Desmond Ridder fighting for his NFL career in 2024. Combine that with major question marks over the WR roles, and the Cardinals’ offense could be the higher-octane of the two.
The Saints’ depth does not look all that exciting, and this feels like a game the Cardinals should play well in. Last year, the Saints won their first two preseason games, but they had Winston fighting in that backup spot. Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler feel like a downgrade from Winston and Haener.
For more betting analysis, make sure to check out PFN’s Week 1 preseason picks and predictions.
Fantasy Players to Watch
Cardinals WR Michael Wilson
We know Marvin Harrison Jr. is locked in as the Cardinals’ WR1. There also aren’t any questions about Kyler Murray, Trey McBride, or James Conner leading their positions. The main guy fantasy managers should focus on is the team’s WR2.
Michael Wilson is competing with free agent acquisition Zay Jones. This is important for two reasons. First, whoever wins this job will be worth a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts. Second, this is an inflection point for Wilson as an NFL player. If he can’t beat out the journeyman, it would be a pretty harsh indictment of Wilson’s ability.
Saints RB Kendre Miller
It feels wrong to say this, but time is running out for Kendre Miller. Despite him only being in his second season, his coaches are getting frustrated with his inability to stay on the field.
The Saints very much want Miller to seize the lead rusher role, allowing them to take some of the pressure off of the declining Alvin Kamara. So far, Miller hasn’t been able to do so. The preseason will be his chance to show he’s improved.
I’d be lying if I said I was optimistic. But regardless, we definitely want to see what Miller can do.
For more fantasy analysis, make sure to check out PFN’s fantasy players to watch during the NFL preseason.
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