The Saints are 3-0 following their commanding defeat of the Cardinals in Week 3. The Saints' offense, and new defense, were on display on Sunday as they controlled the line of scrimmage and the scoreboard. The 31-7 victory included 342 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, one rushing score and just one interception from Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.
Cardinals vs. Saints 2013: New Orleans dismantles Arizona at home
Our SB Nation writers are reacting to the Saints’ 31-7 blowout win over the Cardinals in Week 3.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport
The Saints defense stopped the Cardinals from sustaining any moment or adding to their score total throughout Sunday afternoon. Cardinals' quarterback Carson Palmer was held to 18-of-35 for just 187 passing yards and two interceptions. Arizona's star wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, only managed 64 yards on five receptions. The Cardinals are now 1-2 on the season.
Andrew Juge of Canal Street Chronicles is thrilled with the Saints’ win, but believes the team cannot solely depend on the passing game to win games:
Quite a strange performance by the offense in this one, which turned in negative yards rushing in the first half before finishing with 104 yards on 24 carries thanks to finding some running lanes late. Luckily the passing attack was mostly effective despite Brees being under constant duress. It was clear the only way to move the ball was going to be to spread things out. I will say, the way things played out in the first half is completely unsustainable long term. Yes the defense is playing out of their minds but it won’t be like this every single week, and if the offense is going to be able to carry the team one of these weeks more balance is a must. That, and Brees can’t repeatedly take this many blows each week and stay healthy.
Alex Mann of Revenge of the Birds would have liked to have seen the Cardinals establish the run a bit more:
Arizona seemed to abandon the run game following the Saints opening score, despite it being hugely effective. We all know Arians is a coach who loves to pass, but I seriously begin to question him after he abandoned the successful part of our offense far to early.
The O-Line was horrible, allowing the Saints defense to sack Palmer 7 times, making that 12 sacks on him already this season.
The Saints were actually contained for much of the game. It was only 17-7 at the end of the third quarter, and it was the fourth quarter where the Saints closed the game.
Next up, the Cardinals visit the Buccaneers, while Saints host the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 4.
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