Cardinals solve score troubles with the help of a 22-point explosion in less than two minutes to beat the Saints

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals‘game-changing defense with quarterback picks Andy Dalton on back-to-back moves just before halftime, and the team continued to push into the second half to beat New Orleans Saints 42-34.

The Cardinals’ 42 points are the most in a single game since Week 17 in 2016 and the most under manager Kliff Kingsbury. The win breaks Arizona’s eight-game losing streak at home, which has been tied to the team’s longest home defeat streak since 1940.

The Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals need this victory in the worst possible way. They have started with a score of 2-4, their attack is lacking blood and they are on the verge of a difficult early season.

And then they put it together on national TV after an impressive defensive display, featuring two returned interceptions for touchdowns. Two pick-sixes – one for each person Marco Wilson followed by one by linebacker Isaiah Simmons in consecutive hits – place the Cardinals to command a game that is drawn at 14 before the sixth pick.

Thursday night could be the season-defining game for the Cardinals. DeAndre Hopkins made an impact in his first game back from suspension. He’s got 103 yards on 10 catches, adapting to the foul as well as the Cardinals can hope. But a defense that finds a rhythm against the pass, while complementing an attack that finds its own rhythm, is what the Cardinals need to be able to turn the season around.

Describe the game in two words: Pick-sixes. Two return interceptions for touchdowns late in the first half gave the Cardinals a two-touch lead and set them up for the win.

Bold predictions for next week: With 10 days between Thursday night’s game and the Cardinals’ next game, which takes place in Minnesota Vikings, Robbie Anderson there will be plenty of time to get to know the play and understand his role so he can have a bigger part in the offense. – Josh Weinfuss

Underrated statistics to know: The Cardinals had 28 points in the first half. Going into the match, they had 29 points in the first half of the first six games combined.

Next game: at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, October 30)

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have vowed to fix turns, bad tackles and untimely penalties. They have repeatedly stated that there is still a lot of seasons to go.

But after their fifth loss in six games, The Saints appear to be getting worse. Dalton dropped 14 points on his own with two pick-sixes, and the Saints’ defense didn’t help, as the unit that was once the team’s strength has struggled this season.

Trauma certainly played a part in the outcome, with many recipients Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry out and the three corners back down (Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo and now Bradley Roby). Trauma is only part of the problem, however, as similar mistakes have been made with the Saints since Week 1.

QB . incident: Dalton and early performances don’t mix well. Dalton entered the game as the only quarterback quartet to lose five straight games by at least 17 points since 1970. He didn’t add to that streak after the Saints scored some late touches to narrow it down. distance, throw a total of four touchdowns, but-to-back pick-up-sixes (a bounce by the receiver Marquez Callaway) certainly didn’t improve his early reputation. With James Winston Starting off healthy, this is the worst possible time for Dalton to throw in a bad performance if he wants to keep his original quarterback.

Trouble Trends: The Saints enter the game with the worst revenue spread in the league, and it doesn’t help that stat. Their defense did not let the ball go once, and the attack lost the ball three times. The Saints have been extremely bearish on sales this year and have had penalties at the worst times. Saints coach Dennis Allen has repeatedly said the team will address some of those issues, but so far, there’s been no sign of fixing them.

Biggest flaw in the game plan: Saints players seem to disappear at quirks in the game. Rookie receiver Rashid Shaheedwho made his NFL debut last week and scored touchdown in the first two catches of his career, didn’t have another touchdown after a 53-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Taysom Hill, who had a goal that led to a touchdown, spent a large part of the fourth quarter skipping. The Saints are inherently careless in attack, so unless it’s injury related, it seems odd not to try to use some of the players who have become a bright spot this year. – Katherine Terrell

Underrated statistics to know: Saints quarterbacks have thrown six pick-sixs since the start of last season, tied for the most NFL league during that period with Los Angeles Rams.

Next game: vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, October 30)