Saints Show Encouraging Signs Despite 20-13 Week 1 Loss to Cardinals

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints fell 20-13 to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 but left the field with signs of progress under rookie coach Kellen Moore, who lauded his team's effort after a late comeback bid fell short.

A blocked Cardinals field-goal attempt and a pair of quick-strike drives gave the Saints multiple late chances to tie. On the final possession, quarterback Spencer Rattler, in his second NFL season and first opening-week start, nearly connected with tight end Juwan Johnson on a pass that would have tied the game; Johnson had two hands on the ball but was hit high and low by two converging safeties and could not hold on.

Moore said the team’s intensity and style of play were points of emphasis during the offseason and were evident Sunday. "The effort and play style were some things we talked a lot about," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance. Ultimately, we are here to win football games, and we have to compete and clean things up. While I love the effort, love the energy, love how the guys in the locker room played, we just have to play better."

New Orleans outgained Arizona 315 yards to 276 and converted more first downs, 21-19, but was unable to finish drives consistently enough to overcome the Cardinals’ scoring. The Saints’ offense produced 107 rushing yards as a team, with veteran Alvin Kamara leading the backfield with 45 yards on 11 carries.

Defensively, coordinator Brandon Staley’s new scheme had an encouraging debut. The Saints held the Cardinals to 276 total yards, including just 130 through the air, and tallied five sacks on quarterback Kyler Murray despite missing starting edge rusher Chase Young, who sat out with a calf injury.

Rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry drew a difficult assignment against Arizona wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who finished with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. Safety Julian Blackmon is dealing with a shoulder injury that Moore said could be season-ending. Moore added that right tackle Taliese Fuaga was slowed late by a knee issue and would have his status updated Wednesday, while guard Trevor Penning (foot) did not play.

Rattler, who started six games last season while Derek Carr was injured, remains without a victory as a starting quarterback. He will seek his first career win as he heads into his eighth start; rookie Tyler Shough is listed as the backup on the Saints’ depth chart.

Moore acknowledged the offense must improve in execution, particularly in the running game and in closing out critical possessions, but he pointed to the team’s late resilience as a foundation to build on. "We never folded," Moore said. "We competed until the end."

The Saints return home to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. With several players limited or sidelined, New Orleans will monitor injury updates through the week as the coaching staff emphasizes cleaner execution in all three phases ahead of a challenging early schedule.