Matchups that decided the Saints-Cardinals game

The New Orleans Saints fell to 2-5 on the season after a disappointing Thursday Night Football loss to the Arizona Cardinals. As the game progressed, there were clear concerns that hampered New Orleans and their ability to claw their way back after two straight pick-sixes at the end of the first half dug a sizable hole.

Here are the three matchups that played a large role in the Saints loss in the desert.

Andy Dalton vs. Cardinals passing defense

The first pick six Dalton threw is easy to explain away. He had an open Marquez Callaway crossing over the middle. Callaway let a well-placed ball fall through his hands, bouncing up and into the arms of trailing cornerback Marco Wilson. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

The other two interceptions, however, are harder to excuse. A bad read over the middle in the endzone resulted in the first pick. That one cut off a promising red zone drive. An area in which New Orleans has begun to struggle to convert.

The second pick six, one drive after the first, can be attributed to a hit that Dalton sustained as he was releasing the pass. But it still doesn’t look like the quarterback saw linebacker Isaiah Simmons underneath the intended receiver, rookie Chris Olave. Dalton was hit as he released the ball, pushing it inside, Simmons was able to make the play bringing the ball in with an outstretched hand and then outraced the Saints offense for the score.

It’s hard for any team to combat two defensive scores. Let alone two in a row. While New Orleans may have had the offensive firepower to get it done, the defense hasn’t been its usual self this season.

Saints defensive line vs. the Cardinals offensive line

There was once a time in which we’d count into the 20s when it came to games in which the Saints allowed a 100-yard rusher. Thursday, New Orleans was just yards shy of allowing their third of the season. Consistently, the Arizona line moved the Saints run defenders off the line of scrimmage. That movement on the line allowed running back Eno Benjamin to gather 1.6 yards before contact per carry.

Not to be outdone, Benjamin himself also forced 78 yards after contact, feeding off of the tackling issues that have plagued the Saints this season. Usually, New Orleans is one of the most feared run defenses on the NFL. Unfortunately, that has not come to fruition so far this season and the Saints would love nothing more than to turn that around quickly.

Saints pass catchers vs. Bryon Murphy, Jr.

Murphy is without a doubt the Cardinals’ top corner. He’s been as close to being the team’s first lockdown corner since the departure or for LSU Tiger Patrick Peterson. Thursday, he did not look the part. He wasn’t able to hold Taysom Hill out of the endzone on the red zone screen that led to the Saints second score. He was also out of position (or at least thrown out of position) on a back shoulder throw from Dalton to tight end Juwan Johnson who had two touchdown catches on the day.

Murphy also surrendered catches to running back Alvin Kamara and wideout Tre’Quan Smith. The biggest gain he surrendered was to Olave. Murphy allowed two catches to the rookie wide receiver including a 41 yard catch and run. This success in the passing game didn’t lead to a win, but it did keep the Saints within striking distance despite the early pick sixes. This could become the Saints identity once receivers like Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry make their way back to the field.