The New Orleans Saints open the march to the Super Bowl today against the Arizona Cardinals. After closing the regular season with three consecutive losses after starting 13-0, the Saints look to regain the winning ways that earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The Cardinals come into today’s game riding high off last week’s thrilling victory over the Green Bay Packers. Today’s game is shaping up to be a high-flying shoot-out. Both the Saints and the Cardinals had prolific offenses this year which had no problems hanging point on the opposition. Playing on turf should make the Cardinals faster, especially with Kurt Warner, the former maestro of the “Greatest Show on Turf,” leading the offense.
The Cardinals defense was porous last week, giving up 422 yards passing to the Packers. Look for Brees and Company to follow the Packers’ game plan, and post big numbers in the passing game. New Orleans must focus on pressuring Kurt Warner early and often, which will lead to turnovers, and establishing the run. If the Saints do not establish the pass rush early, Warner will have ample time to pick apart the Saints’ secondary. The Saints need a big game from defensive end Will Smith, who lead the team with 13 sacks. By getting pressure on Warner early, New Orleans can force Warner into hurrying his throws and making mistakes. The Saints also need a big game from playmaking linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who will be most valuable shutting down the run and covering the underneath routes to Fitzgerald. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin is likely on the sidelines again for this game, taking an important weapon in Kurt Warner’s arsenal. Last week Steve Breaston proved to be an adequate replacement, so the Saints’ defense needs to focus on limiting his touches.
New Orleans needs to establish the inside run early with Pierre Thomas, while mixing in a few outside runs with Reggie Bush, and a few short passes to Bush in open space. This will set up play action, where Brees can exploit the matchup of a healthy Marques Colston against an injured Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Once Brees and the offense find a rhythm, it will be hard for Arizona to win.
Warner and the Cardinals will not go away quietly, but Brees and the Saints will put up a W and retire the Cardinals for the winter, 35-24.
