With the Arizona Cardinals set to face the New Orleans Saints this weekend, sister site Saints Wire managing editor John Sigler and I asked each other some questions to find out more about the opponent.
He answered my questions to preview the game.
Drew Brees has basically been identity the Saints. How has the team been able to to have so much success over the last several weeks with Teddy Bridgewater at QB?
The Saints have played great complementary football. The defense has made huge strides, even over how well they played last year. Their pass rush is very disruptive and runs almost eight-deep, allowing them to rotate the first- and second-string units like a hockey team. They just wear down opposing blockers late into the game. On offense, the offensive line has overcome some early inconsistencies to hold up in pass protection while doing enough on the ground to keep pressure off of Bridgewater. Even special teams has become an area of impact, with rookie punt returner Deonte Harris scoring two touchdowns (one was called back by an iffy holding penalty) and making consistent 8- to 10-yard gains.
How different does the offense work with Bridgewater instead of Brees?
They’ve really shifted to running more 21 personnel than anything else, getting fullback Zach Line into the game and keeping their tight ends tight to the formation. The effect is it condenses the field by making the defense move up closer to the line of scrimmage, creating one-on-one opportunities for Michael Thomas out wide. You’d think Line’s presence means they’re running more often, but that’s not been the case. He often runs routes out of the backfield and sometimes catches passes (he’s been thrown to five times this year), but they’ve recently gotten creative and even had him toss the ball to Taysom Hill on an option play.
Which matchups are you most excited for? Which ones worry you the most?
The heavyweight fight in this one is going to be between Thomas and Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson, each of whom has an argument to make as the best player in the game at their position. Thomas has gone on a tear this season and is on pace to tie Marvin Harrison’s record for single-season receptions. He’s probably hoping to catch Peterson at a time when he’s a little rusty, coming off of suspension. Elsewhere, the Cardinals offensive line allowed a lot of sacks earlier this season and the Saints defensive line has built up some experience getting after mobile quarterbacks. I want to see how well Kyler Murray can evade long pass rushers like Marcus Davenport.
Who are lesser-known contributors Cardinals fans should know about?
On offense, watch out for Latavius Murray. Alvin Kamara has been dealing with a high-ankle injury and Murray responded really well when asked to shoulder the load in his absence last week against the Chicago Bears. He can run hard and catch passes with some confidence. On defense, keep an eye out for linebacker Demario Davis, who might be the third-best defender on a squad loaded with talented players like defensive end Cameron Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. He’s quickly become the leader of this unit with his words and actions. Eli Apple injured his knee last week but appears to have shaken it off; he’s had a great year, but the defensive back the Cardinals should try to go after is slot specialist C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a rookie who’s been thrust into a starting role ahead of schedule.
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