Saints vs. Cardinals: What's the Game Plan for Arizona?

The Arizona Cardinals face a stern test as they open the 2015 season at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon, an opponent with whom they can expect to be battling for a playoff spot come December.

Despite a disappointing campaign last year, the Saints have been one of the NFC's most consistent performers since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2006, having never won fewer than seven games in a season since.

New Orleans overhauled its roster during the offseason, looking to build a more stable and hard-nosed football team. Arizona head coach Bruce Arians and his staff will have to be prepared for a different Saints team in Week 1.

What can we expect from the Cardinals?

Offensive Game Plan

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New Orleans spent the offseason overhauling a defense that ranked 31st in yards allowed last year, and that process is ongoing. Combined with a banged-up secondary, Carson Palmer and the Cardinals passing game should find the Saints defense inviting.

Starting safety Jairus Byrd and corner Keenan Lewis are both out for Sunday's game, giving Arizona's receivers a clear advantage. If Michael Floyd plays—he believes he'll be able to suit up, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website—either he or John Brown will be matched up against New Orleans' fourth corner, which is a massive mismatch.

Ensuring Palmer has time to throw will be key given Arizona's struggles along the offensive line and Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's penchant for blitzing. If Ryan wants to turn up the heat, he'll have to risk putting inexperienced corners Delvin Breaux and Brian Dixon on an island. The big play will be available to Arizona should the Saints blitz. 

Of course, it's not all rosy for Arizona's offense. Running against the Saints defensive line won't be easy. Tackles Kevin Williams and John Jenkins are run-stuffers, as is end Akiem Hicks. It's likely Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson and David Johnson will have to get to the perimeter in order to be successful.

Defensive Game Plan

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The blueprint for disrupting New Orleans' potent offense has been on display for quite some time: generate pressure up the middle. Even if the pass rush doesn't get to Drew Brees, pushing the interior of the Saints line into the backfield makes it difficult for the relatively short QB (6'0") to see down the field.

This is not only defensive coordinator James Bettcher's first test, but it's also his first chance to shine. The Cardinals defense, while strong, needs to manufacture pressure via scheme instead of personnel, so Bettcher will have to be creative to produce the desired results.

The Cardinals had success in the preseason using safety Deone Bucannon in a blitzing role, and we can expect to see some of that on Sunday, even with Sean Weatherspoon healthy.

With Jimmy Graham in Seattle, Kenny Stills in Miami and Marques Colston on the decline, New Orleans projects to be more reliant on its running game than it has in years past. While the Saints rushing attack is more prolific than it is given credit for, it remains to be seen how committed Sean Payton will remain to that plan.

Key Players and Matchups

Arizona's Wide Receivers vs. New Orleans' Cornerbacks

The Cardinals are going to like their receivers' chances most weeks, but it's possible they'll never have a better matchup than they will against the Saints. Beyond Brandon Browner, New Orleans has very little experience at cornerback.

Delvin Breaux will be making his NFL debut on Sunday. Second-year player Brian Dixon was primarily a special teams player last season. Even if Browner is able to neutralize Fitzgerald on his own, Floyd and Brown could both go off for big games.

Saints Offensive Player to Watch: Brandin Cooks

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Brandin Cooks is now the Saints' most dangerous offensive player, although it's not out of the question that would be the case even before New Orleans gutted its roster. He had 53 receptions for 550 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games as a rookie last season.

According to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, Patrick Peterson has drawn the Cooks assignment, although it's likely he receives some help. Either way, Payton will look for creative ways to get his playmaker the ball.

Saints Defensive Player to Watch: Kenny Vaccaro

Third-year safety Kenny Vaccaro isn't the Saints' best defensive player, but he could be the one who gives Palmer the most trouble.

After a sophomore slump, much of the narrative surrounding Vaccaro during the offseason has focused on putting him in positions to make more plays. He'll bounce around the Saints' defensive formation on Sunday as Ryan looks for someone to create havoc.

The 5 Elephants in the Room

We can't avoid talking about Arizona's offensive line. The question is, which group will we get?

During the first two weeks of the preseason, the Cardinals pass-protected well but couldn't run the football. Over the second two weeks, they ran the ball well but couldn't keep their quarterbacks upright. 

Ideally, the offensive line will do a decent job in both areas, but the priority on Sunday will be keeping Palmer's jersey clean.

Prediction

As mentioned in the midweek preview, the Cardinals enter the season in a better place than the rebuilding Saints. They should have the upper hand, and they should win at home.

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If Floyd is able to play—and play productively—it's not out of the realm of possibility for Palmer to make an emphatic statement on his return from last year's season-ending knee injury. A 300-yard performance isn't out of the question against a young Saints secondary, with big-play potential existing on every snap.

While any team coached by Sean Payton and quarterbacked by Drew Brees will be able to move the football, what the Saints gained in offensive stability this offseason, they lost in dynamism. They'll find the end zone, but they won't be able to start a shootout.

Final score: Cardinals 27, Saints 17