NFL 2010 Week 5 Preview: Saints vs Cardinals

Saints (3-1) vs Cardinals (2-2)

Game Time: 5:05 PM ET Sunday, October 10, 2010

Stadium: University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ

Surface: Indoor Grass

Weather: Sunny and hot 85°

Week 5 2010 NFL schedule features the New Orleans Saints traveling west to the University of Phoenix Stadium to face the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona represented the NFC in the Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, while the Saints are defending their 2010 Super Bowl XLIV Championship.

The Saints barely beat the clawless Panthers 16-14 in Week 4 while the Cardinals got super stomped 41-10 in San Diego by the Chargers.

2010 Saints Offense

The juggernaut offense that was on display during the Saints title run in 2009 has been largely MIA during the 2010 NFL season. New Orleans has scored just 79 points through four games this season compared to 144 at the same point in 2009. Injuries have hit the Saints backfield and that means they can’t use their running game as a decoy to set up the passing game.

Even though they won, QB Drew Bress was visibly upset with the Saints Week 4 performance and that spells trouble for the Cardinals leaky defense in Week 5. Look for the Saints to have the offense on full throttle in Glandale, AZ this weekend.

2010 Cardinals Defense

The Cardinals defense has been downright offensive through the first four weeks of the 2010 NFL Season. Arizona ranks 23^rd or lower (much lower) in all four major defensive categories. That includes giving up 29.5 points per game and allowing 388 total yards per game that includes 154 rushing per game. The 23^rd ranking is their pass defense that has surrended and average of 232.3 passing yard per game.

While this defense isn’t very good, they shouldn’t have to shoulder all the blame. The Cardinals offense is just as bad as the defense as the rank 31st in total yards, 30th in pass yards and 29th in points scored averaging just 14.5 points per game.

Game Analysis: Despite the fact that they sit at 3-1, the Saints players and coaches alike are not happy with the team’s sluggish start. One of the best ways to break out a funk in the NFL is to go on the road, get in some team bonding and then destroy the home team.

We feel that’s exactly what will happen in Week 5 as the Saints crush the Cardinals to move to 4-1 with a convincing 31-14 victory.