Week 1 Cards vs. Saints

[SeattleCard]

What are the thoughts on week one? How do we match up against the Saints? Considering some of the Saints losses on defense, I think this one should be a W at home.

 

[BigRedRage]

What are the thoughts on week one? How do we match up against the Saints? Considering some of the Saints losses on defense, I think this one should be a W at home.

They have a lot of secondary injuries so if our offense is clicking, we should be able to move up and down the field with our improved running game as well due to their fear of our passing attack.

Offensively they lost some weapons but brees is special and will make some new careers from his new weapons.

Cards win by 6

 

[gmabel830]

Their secondary is a mess and wouldn't be surprised if it was a pass-o-palooza on both sides of the ball.

 

[Mitch]

Very challenging first game as DC for James Bettcher having to match wits with HC/OC Sean Payton---one of there best play callers in the NFL. Our linebackers and secondary had better play fast and you really can't zone Brees, which makes stopping their array of screens and quick passes to the RB and slot WRs very difficult to defend. Jerraud Powers is going to have to do a stellar job on super-swift Brandin Cooks...Patrick Peterson the same on Marques Colson. Not sure if RB C.J. Spiller will be 100%, but Mark Ingram is no slouch.

The Saints are physical up front on defense: Hicks, Bunkley and Jordan. If the Cardinals can match their physicality, and exploit the holes in the LB and CB units, they could put up some big numbers and points.

 

[Garthshort]

Should be a high scoring game. Their defense is hurting, and I know Brees is good, but not as good w/o Graham. I see us winning, 31-14. However, in the NY papers Las Vegas has us a 2.5 point favorite. When Las Vegas is wrong, they're wrong early in the season. JMO.

 

[GatorAZ]

Shoot out.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I honestly do not like this as our first game at all, because Brees is one of the last QBs I would want to see with our DC's first game... I think we are going to miss having Floyd in this game too and the offense possibly looking like their Raider showing while Brees gets off to a fast start

 

[oaken1]

we should match up well with NO...last time it was Graham that really hurt us and try as they might they did not replace him with any pizazz..... if we stuff the run early and force them to pass we will force turnovers...

our offense,...well,...we need the line to play strong...if the o-line holds up and gives Palmer time while getting some push in the running game we should be able to march on them. They cannot cover our WR's... they just can't.... but it would help tremendously if we can make them respect our running attack...... the Plan B for this game should be "OLD" Faithful..... toss it high to Fitz....they may be able to stick with Larry but they can't jump with him.

when you talk about "every" phase of the game,.....well,...if it comes to special teams the Saints are going to steal a win on the road.

 

[Jim Otis]

Should be a high scoring game. Their defense is hurting, and I know Brees is good, but not as good w/o Graham. I see us winning, 31-14. However, in the NY papers Las Vegas has us a 2.5 point favorite. When Las Vegas is wrong, they're wrong early in the season. JMO.

I see it pretty much the same as Garthshort , I think we will win by a double digit margin .

 

[Iceman]

I see it pretty much the same as Garthshort , I think we will win by a double digit margin .

Agree as well. Cards are a much better team the Saints. The loss of graham really hurts their offense. Plus, being at home is a huge advantage. I see the cards winning by 10 or more

 

[SeattleCard]

Looks like Vegas has us favorites at 2.5.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/lines

 

[Shaggy]

All depends how our DC plays the game. I am still not sure how well this D will play. If they come out and hold them to a few 3 and outs in the first part of the game, I feel we will get a big enough lead that will allow the Cards to win. If not, I think they will have a difficult game.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Really looking forward to this game
I think a big key will be how well the online protects and keeps palmer from getting hit to much
The linebacker core needs to play well looking forward to seeing how weatherspoon does
I have faith the offense will show up and be able to run decently and pass well
As long as we contain bresse to not have godly numbers we should come out victiorous
Go Cards

 

[Harry]

If the Cards don't win this one, it will be a long winter. NO doesn't have the type of pass rush that should be able to hold the Cards down. Look for Fitz to have a big day as the Cards will spread the NO D thin. This Cards team should throw to the backs more than the Cards have since Centers was unfortunately jettisoned. Ellington, Johnson & Johnson give the Cards the best receiving backs in the NFL. Don't be surprised if the Cards move D. Johnson to the outside at times to cover Floyd's absence. His size and agility make him a CB's nightmare.

An early key will be if the RB's are in, can they pick up the right rusher allowing the Cards to go deep? Don't be shocked if the Cards run two fly routes on the opening play, just to assess the defense's speed.

This should be a fun game to watch. While NO can do damage through the air, the Cards' safeties should be able to provide real pass support against this group. I'm not worried about the DC in this game. Despite Brees' skill, the Cards shouldn't have to show their full blitz package in the next three weeks. They need to save some surprises for the Rams.

I think the defense will hold up this season if they don't have injuries to the CBs. I expect Okafor to have a huge year. Cutting Shaugnessy speaks volumes about the depth of the front seven. This DC has an excellent chance to be a good one.

 

[Catfish]

I would only reiterate Harry's feeling that our new DC will be up to dealing with the task at hand. I feel that our coaching staff is NOT a part of the equation that we need to fear. I do feel that there will be some first game jitteriness do deal with, especially from some of the newer members of the starting roster. Those, however, should be gone by the time our third offensive possession comes around, and we should by then be settling into our game plan and executing it with precision and speed. Go Cards!!!

 

[Garthshort]

This might be a simplification, but on defense, I would give whichever CB who is covering Brandin Cooks safety help. The Saints no longer have their go-to TE and Colston is slowing down, but Cooks is the real deal. I'd say he's now what we want JB to become.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Brandin Cook is the one person on the Saint who scares me. I expect a big game from him. The rest do not worry me. Big Question for me is our Oline and Dline. Can we run and pass block better than we did in the Preseason. Also can our Dline put pressure on the QB better than we did in the Preason.

Expect a close game 24-17 Cards win.

 

[Shaggy]

I just don't want the cards to make the TE that is replacing graham look like the next Graham and have over 100 yrds and a TD. Just cover him and cooks and don't let this game be a breakout for both of them.

 

[Cheesebeef]

what's the word on Floyd? I'm guessing he's probably out this week but it would be nice to have the full complement of WRs in the game.

 

[Iceman]

I think the Cards win this one by a lot more than what everyone thinks. Cards are just an overall better team than the Saints right now. Being home is huge and as long as the O line can give Palmer some time and open a few holes for the RB's, then this will be a lopsided win for the Cards

 

[Shaggy]

I think the Cards win this one by a lot more than what everyone thinks. Cards are just an overall better team than the Saints right now. Being home is huge and as long as the O line can give Palmer some time and open a few holes for the RB's, then this will be a lopsided win for the Cards

I would love to see cards win in a blow out. When was the last time they actually win again by 14 points or more?

Edit: It was the Rams game last year, but that was still a close game before they just dominated in the last few minutes of the game. I want a blow out game that we all know by the end of the 3rd quarter, that the other team will have a very hard time coming back and winning. That's what I want a few times this year.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I would love to see cards win in a blow out. When did they actually win again by 14 points or more?

last time I remember a pure blowout/domination was when we pasted the Colts 40-10 back in 2013.

 

[Iceman]

I would love to see cards win in a blow out. When did they actually win again by 14 points or more?

Ha! I was actually thinking that as I was typing it. We always talk about that too. The Rams last year when Palmer went down was the closest I can think? Even though the game was a lot closer than what the score reflect

 

[Iceman]

last time I remember a pure blowout/domination was when we pasted the Colts 40-10 back in 2013.

Can't see anyone doing that to the Colts for a long time now!

 

[BullheadCardFan]

The Cardinals just don't have the instinct to finish off an opponent. No matter how bad or good the other team is we play to their level. No way we blow out a good team like the Saints.

We always seem to start the game slowly and have to make adjustments. We also have a bad habit of allowing the opponent to walk down the field on their first series.

I look for a close game and no guarantee that we win. I take no team for granted, ever. This is the NFL and any team can beat any team.