Michael Bacigalupi
By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints came up just short in their 13-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. A late push by the defense nearly led to an incredible go-ahead touchdown, but the ball fell to the ground late.
It’s a tough loss for New Orleans, but the fight and effort shown is still worth celebrating for a team that wasn’t expected to win.
The Story
A resilient effort was put on display by head coach Kellen Moore and his new group. After going down 10-20 New Orleans kept itself alive against the Cardinals, almost coming up with a game-tying score late that could have led to overtime action.
Overall, New Orleans has a lot of kinks to work out, especially on the procedural side of the offense. Penalties and explosive plays were the difference in this one, but the Saints showed an impressive amount of fight to give themselves a chance late.
The Star
Wide receiver Chris Olave stole this recognition from tight end Juwan Johnson, who was excellent all game except for a late-game incompletion that should have been reviewed. Olave earns the nod after battling through a game that many thought he wouldn’t finish. Labeled “injury prone” after a rough 2024, he refused to stay sidelined.
A lower leg injury first sent him toward the tent, but he returned to the field. Later, after a hard hit left him with an apparent chest injury, he steadied himself on the sideline, got checked, and once again battled back onto the field, making catches and giving his team every chance to stay in the fight.
Olave deserves a lot of praise for fighting his way through the game and helping his team put together an impressively competitive effort.
The Plays
SACK. Year 15. Still the same Cam Jordan.
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/PHHmJrOMSm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 7, 2025
AK finds the endzone. One smooth dude.
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/8qDMvtRYxr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 7, 2025
Cam & Grando get to the QB
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/y9kTllC8KS
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 7, 2025
Bresee with the HOPS to block the FG
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/90pbySejPw
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 7, 2025
The Stats
- Quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 27 of his 46 passing attempts for 214 passing yards and a 70.4 passer rating.
- Tight end Juwan Johnson led the way with eight receptions for 76 receiving yards.
- Defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson each had 1.5 sacks on the day. Jordan extended his franchise lead for sacks with 123 in his career.
- Cornerback Alontae Taylor came up with what could have been the biggest play of the game, forcing a punt with a late third down sack.
- Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee blocked a field goal late to keep points off the board late for Arizona.
The Injuries
- Wide receiver Olave appeared to be dealing with a lower leg injury during the first half. He caught a pass over the middle of the field for a first down and looked to get his legs twisted up with a defender as he was tackled. Olave quickly went off of the field, but did not go into the injury tent and remained on the field for the remainder of the game.
- Right tackle Taliese Fuaga left the game in the second half with a knee injury. He did not return.
- Olave again had to leave the field and was determined to have a chest injury. After being quickly evaluated in the injury tent, it seemed that he would not return to action after being noted as questionable to return. Instead, he found his way back out on the field for the remainder of the game.
