GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints are two teams stuck in the early season doldrums, struggling with injuries and inconsistent play.
It’s too early to throw out the `must-win’ label for Thursday night’s matchup.
But it’s also too late to pretend everything is OK.
”It’s getting to that time where you don’t want to press that button, but we’ve got to win,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said.
The Cardinals (2-4) host the Saints (2-4) on Thursday night in a game that is crucial for these reeling teams that find themselves in remarkably similar situations.
Both have the benefit of playing in struggling divisions: The NFC West (Cardinals) and NFC South (Saints) don’t have a team that’s better than 3-3.
That means despite their poor play, the Cardinals and Saints aren’t in terrible playoff position, sitting just one game back in the division race. But that silver lining won’t exist much longer, particularly if the losses keep coming.
”You’ve just got to stay the course,” Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said. ”It’s a long season. It’s early. But we don’t want this thing to get away from us either. So, it’s been, ‘Let’s just do our job, be where you’re supposed to be and when your chance is to make a play, make a play.
”We’ve got good enough players and coaching staff and everything to get this thing right. Just stay the course and nobody panic.”
The Cardinals hope that the return of three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins can boost the offense. Hopkins missed the first six games of the season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Arizona also traded for receiver Robbie Anderson on Monday, acquiring the disgruntled receiver from the Carolina Panthers. Anderson had a 1,000-yard season in 2020 and gives Murray another tall, talented playmaker.
The Cardinals are trying to snap an eight-game home losing streak, which is the franchise’s longest since 1958.
”I definitely haven’t played up to the standard that we have for ourselves, or I have for myself, but we can just keep getting better,” Murray said. ”It starts with one, so that’s the mindset right now.”
The Saints are still working through their quarterback situation: Backup Andy Dalton has made three straight starts, but starter Jameis Winston is close to his return.
UGLY FOOTBALL
The NFL’s Thursday night game is often a much-maligned product, with critics complaining about the health of players, who have to play two games in five days. There are also grumblings about the quality of football since both teams are tired and don’t have as much time to prepare for their opponent.
The past two Thursday night games have been ugly: The Colts beat the Broncos 12-9 in overtime on Oct. 6 while the Commanders beat the Bears 12-7 last week.
Murray said there’s no use in complaining about the schedule.
”I look at it as a great opportunity,” Murray said. ”I love to play football, and it’s another opportunity to touch the field, especially after a (loss). I get another opportunity to go out there, compete and get a win.”
GROUND GAINS
The Saints’ running game has blossomed in recent weeks. New Orleans has rushed for 228 yards or better in each of its past two games.
Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. said the potential existed earlier this season to have games such as that if a combination of turnovers, third down failures and early deficits hadn’t made it difficult to call running plays.
”We didn’t have as many opportunities to get as many run plays called as we’d like to,” he said. ”But I think that our guys up front, our tight ends, and running backs, they’re playing well, and I think we’re blocking well on the perimeter as well.”
ROOKIE INFLUENCE
The Saints could have two of their top three draft choices back in the lineup with the anticipated returns of receiver Chris Olave and defensive back Alontae Taylor from injuries.
There also seems to be another, less heralded rookie rising in prominence: Rashid Shaheed, a speedy receiver and return man who was undrafted out of Weber State.
Shahid, who was brought up from the practice squad after fellow receiver and primary returner Deonte Harty went on injured reserve, exhibited blazing speed when he took a handoff on a jet sweep 44 yards for a touchdown on his first offensive play with the ball in the NFL.
”I did a lot of jet sweeps in the past,” Shaheed said, explaining that he played running back throughout high school and in youth football before that. ”I feel like the running back instinct kind of takes over after that.”
YOUNG DEFENSE
The Cardinals have played fairly well on the defensive side of the ball and they’re getting production from young players. Zaven Collins, Cam Thomas and Myjai Sanders all had their first career sacks in last week’s loss to the Seahawks.
Collins had two sacks and a team-high eight tackles.
”Watching those young guys practice, the way they’ve worked together and grown each and every week has been fun to see,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said. ”They’re playing hard, having fun and it’s a great mix with some of those veterans out there.”
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AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this story.
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