Cardinals vs. Saints: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Arizona Cardinals have a tough road contest in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. 

Arizona opened up the season with a close loss to the St. Louis Rams before flipping the script against the Detroit Lions last weekend. This is a team with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but the roster is still lacking depth and talent at a few key positions. 

The Saints have earned a 2-0 record to start the season, beating the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers the past couple of weeks. 

Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham have connected on 14 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, and the duo will be tough to stop at home this weekend. 

Cardinals All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald wasn't able to play in most of the second half against the Lions, due to his sore hamstring wearing down, as noted by ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio. But Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com spoke to the receiver after the game, and he said he's going to play this week:

Arizona will need him, that's for sure.

Here's a look at what you need to know about this upcoming contest.

When: Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La. 

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Bovada) 

• Over/Under: 49 pts.
• Spread: New Orleans (-7)

Cardinals Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Lorenzo Alexander	LB	Biceps	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Larry Fitzgerald	WR	Hamstring	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Ronald Talley	DE	Wrist	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Rob Housler	TE	Ankle	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Rashard Mendenhall	RB	Toe	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Kevin Minter	LB	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out

Saints Injury Report (via NFL.com) 

Jahri Evans	G	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Roman Harper	S	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Curtis Lofton	LB	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Glenn Foster	DE	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Isa Abdul-Quddus	S	Ankle	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Junior Galette	LB	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Zach Strief	T	Neck	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Brodrick Bunkley	DT	Calf	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Marques Colston	WR	Foot	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Mark Ingram	RB	Toe	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Martez Wilson	LB	Elbow	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Tom Johnson	DE	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Akiem Hicks	DE	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Jabari Greer	CB	Back	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Tyrunn Walker	DT	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable

Can Arizona Establish a Running Game?

The Cardinals feature an underrated defense that is adept at shutting down the run and at creating turnovers. But it would be foolish to think this unit can keep up with Drew Brees this weekend. 

The best chance Arizona has of winning this game is to keep Brees and his offense off the field as much as possible, and the best way to accomplish this is by establishing a running game. 

Running the ball chews up the clock, and the Cardinals need to win the time of possession battle this week. But to this point in the season, the team's rushing attack doesn't look much better than it did last year when it finished worst in the NFL. 

Rashard Mendenhall has only received 31 carries in the team's first two games. He'll need to touch the ball more than that in this upcoming contest if the team has a chance of winning. 

Prediction

Rob Ryan has his defense headed in the right direction. Cameron Jordan is thriving as a 3-4 defensive end, rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro is a big-play machine and Parys Haralson was a nice late addition. 

The Cardinals have looked good on offense this year at times, but this isn't a team that can just score touchdowns at the drop of a hat—not like Brees and his offense. Even if Fitzgerald does play the entire game, he's not fully healthy, and nobody should expect him to play like it. 

New Orleans should have no trouble moving to 3-0 to start this season, putting pressure on the Falcons in the NFC South. Brees will have another big day leading the charge on offense, and Ryan's defense will do just enough to seal the deal. 

Final Score 

Saints win 31-23

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