New Orleans Saints vs Arizona Cardinals 2025 Week 1 Preview

Caleb Yaccarino • September 6, 2025

The NFL Regular season is here, and so is the new era of New Orleans Saints football. Led by new head coach Kellen Moore, the Saints host the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 1 matchup that both teams need to take advantage of.

What the Cardinals bring to the table

As this is the first game for both teams this season, we may not see the full potential of each squad, but we can pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the Cardinals on paper. Starting with the strengths that may make the Saints' lives difficult on Sunday, we need to talk about Kyler Murray. The 7th-year QB is a dynamic runner who could take over games with just his speed. Being able to stop Murray from running for positive yards is one thing, but also trying to contain him and not extend plays is nearly impossible, and with edge rusher Chase Young ruled out, the Saints are going to have a real challenge on Sunday. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals have made significant improvements to their defensive line, and this will be a good first test for the Saints' newly constructed defensive line. Josh Sweat is the main name to point out, and if New Orleans can not deal with him, he could disrupt any offensive plan Kellen Moore has.


These are two strengths that jump out, but the Cardinals also have some weaknesses that the Saints can take advantage of. Like with New Orleans, Arizona has a very young/inexperienced cornerback room. The run game is going to be a focal point of the Saints' offense, but if that slows down or the Saints are behind early, starting QB Spencer Rattler could take advantage of the Cardinals' cornerbacks. The other main weakness is the offensive line. Last season, led by OL coach Klayton Adams, the offensive line overperformed and was a solid group throughout the season. Now, with him leaving for the Dallas Cowboys, this group could take a step back, and even without Chase Young, the Saints can still disrupt the game through the defensive line.

How about the Saints?

I mentioned before in the intro that this is a new era of Saints football. With an entirely new coaching staff and new players throughout the roster, there is way too much uncertainty to really feel comfortable about this game. Besides the WR room led by Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, the safety room led by Justin Reid, and the Center position with Eric McCoy, every other spot on the roster is going to be tested this Sunday. The primary position of focus for everyone is at quarterback, with all eyes on second-year QB Spencer Rattler. After beating out second-round rookie Tyler Shough in a heated QB battle, Rattler was named the starter and overcame the odds. Kellen Moore has stated multiple times before the decision was made that the team would rally behind whoever he and his staff decided to name the starter. This is the case.... for now. QB Tyler Shough is Kellen Moore's "guy," and he will be ready to come in if need be. Will that happen this game? I highly doubt it, but the Saints' coaching staff will evaluate Rattler's performances each week and consider putting in Shough if the team starts to lose. This is just one of the outcomes, and Spencer Rattler can still secure the long-term starting QB spot,. However, against the Cardinals, the pressure will be on Rattler to perform.

Injury Report

  • EDGE Chase Young - OUT
  • G Trevor Penning - OUT
  • S Jordan Howden - Questionable

My Prediction

Even after mentioning all the uncertainty with the Saints in this game, especially at QB, I think New Orleans will win this game 20-17, with Blake Grupe hitting a game-winning field goal.

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Linebacker Room Outlook: Different Yet Familiar?

By Kaden Arkeder • July 28, 2026
Well the changing of the guard has begun on defense. With Demario Davis leaving in free agency a big leadership void was left in the locker room where someone else will have to take the torch. Whom remains to be seen but all eyes are on what Kaden Ellis brings in his return to the Saints. The Saints signed Ellis to bring back someone with familiarity with the organization and the talents he was better able to showcase after leaving the team. Kaden Ellis in his time with the Atlanta Falcons was able to show he can do whatever you need of him from the linebacker position. He can play off ball in space showing good awareness in coverage but can also play well on the ball when asked to rush the passer from a variety of situations. With Ellis in the fold I expect the defense to be more effective in keeping the offense guessing on what the linebackers will be doing on a down to down basis.  Next up is Pete Werner who has had a up and down career thus far with the Saints but overall has been a solid starter since he was drafted. Werner’s coming off a down year in terms of on field production in 2025 where he was routinely taken off the field in favor of getting the young linebackers on the roster snaps on defense to give them some opportunity and experience. If Werner wants to keep his starting role on defense he is going to have to show more impact on defense this season beginning in training camp. With Demario gone and Pete Werner the only returning starting at linebacker on defense the door of opportunity has fully opened for the young linebackers on the roster. who have been patiently waiting for their chance to make a name for themselves. Isiah Stalbird, Jaylan Ford, Danny Stutsman fit into this category as young guys earning their stripes through special teams and limited snaps on defense thus far. This will be one of the more fascinating, fun training camp battles to see if any can overtake Werner on the depth chart and carve out a more meaningful role on defense. After them is the roster hopefuls in Anfernee Jennings and Jackson Sirmon. These two will look to show they belong in the league and will do whatever it takes to prove it. Whether they make the 53 man roster with the Saints or not the goal is to help bring more competition to the room and see who can do enough to latch on somewhere in the NFL. Opportunity is the key word I would use for this group. From Kaden Ellis getting a chance to really star on defense to Pete Werner getting an opportunity to keep young guys from taking his snaps again to the young guys like Danny Stutsman overtaking Werner on the depth chart. The linebacker unit has plenty of opportunities ahead of them, let’s see what they can make with them.
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