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Cardinals beat Saints 31-19: Full highlights and recap

By Josh Hill

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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19. 15. Final. 31. 32

The Arizona Cardinals were a disappointment in the postseason last year through no fault of their own. They were the cinderella team of the NFL season last year, and managed to almost win their division despite not having a quarterback to play with. The inconsistency under center put an early end to the Cardinals season, but they’re off to a hot start with a healthy Carson Palmer this year.

Arizona took it to the Saints in Week 1, using a late score by David Johnson to take a 31-19 win over New Orleans. It was a win that the Saints needed to get, but they’re now with the Buccaneers in being behind the Panthers in the NFC South, while the Cardinals are in a position to jump out to a lead in the NFC West with the Rams being the only other 1-0 team at the moment.

Highlights

What’s a Jaguars game without a pick-six by Blake Bortles?

Three Stars

1. Carson Palmer

This was the first time Cardinals fans saw a healthy Carson Palmer since the middle of last season, and it was wholly rewarding to see. The Cardinals offense wasn’t electric by any means, but they walked away with 31-points in a win and it’s something that fans are hoping continues throughout the season. Palmer was the missing piece last season, and that’s something we saw in the win over the Saints.

2. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald has been a steady common thread for the Cardinals over the years, and he looked great in his first game with a healthy Carson Palmer since last season. He didn’t explode and seemed to get banged up at one point late in the game, but he was effective in drawing coverage and eventually allowing the Cardinals to open things up in the receiving game. That’s something Arizona would love to see more of this season.

3. Mark Ingram

There was rumblings that the way the Saints were structuring their backfield would make Mark Ingram the featured back but a straight-line running back. Instead, he failed to get 30 yards against the Cardinals on the ground but almost went over 100 yards receiving. With C.J. Spiller banged up, Ingram is making an early case that he might be able to be the all-purpose back the Saints never really have had.

Odds

Arizona was favored by 2.5 points and easily covered the spread by winning 31-19

Next Week

The Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) while the Cardinals hit the road to play the Chicago Bears (0-1)

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