Fansided

Saints at Cardinals: Highlights, score and recap

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) pressures during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) pressures during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s been a disappointing year for both the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. Can either team finish strong down the stretch?

Although they have managed to split their final 10 games, the New Orleans Saints sit at 5-8 and won’t record a winning season for the fourth time in five years.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have already lost more than twice as many games as they did a year ago. And with the Seattle Seahawks’ 24-3 win on Thursday night over the Los Angeles Rams, Bruce Arians’ club won’t be repeating as NFC West champions.

Call this tilt “Disappointment in the Desert.”

Highlights

Posted live as they happen

Three Stars

1. David Johnson

The league leader with 1,830 yards from scrimmage, Johnson leads the club with 1,085 yards rushing and is second on the team with 69 catches – good for an additional 745 yards. He has 15 of Arizona’s 35 offensive touchdowns and will be facing a New Orleans defensive unit ranked 24th in the league in total yards per game allowed. And in case you’re curious, those 15 TDs lead the NFL after 14 weeks of play.

2. Drew Brees

Is this the week that the prolific signal-caller snaps out of his recent funk? After throwing 30 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions in his first 11 appearances this season, Brees has been picked off three times in each of his last two outings while failing to connect for a score. It will be interesting to see how he fares against a Cardinals’ club that has totaled 23 takeaways this season.

3. Larry Fitzgerald

Somewhat quietly, the 13-year pro ranks second in the NFL with 91 catches – trailing only Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown (3) this year. Fitzgerald also leads the Cardinals with 892 receiving yards and five touchdown grabs. Only Jerry Rice and Tony Gonzalez have hauled in more passes in league history than the former Pitt Panthers standout. He and quarterback Carson Palmer take aim at a Saints team that has allowed the fourth-most passing yards in the NFL and has totaled a mere seven interceptions.

More fansided.com: NFL Power Rankings: Packers rise, Broncos fall

Odds

The Arizona Cardinals are 3-point favorites to knock off the struggling New Orleans Saints for the second straight year. The OVER/UNDER for this contest is a healthy 50.5.

Next Week

For the second time in three weeks, the Saints will clash with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay posted a 16-11 win in the first meeting. The Cardinals have a rematch with the newly crowned NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks. The clubs played to a 6-6 Sunday night overtime at Arizona in October.

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