Cardinals defeat Saints 20‑13 in season opener

NEW ORLEANS (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Cardinals claimed a 20‑13 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's season opener at the Caesars Superdome.

Quarterback Kyler Murray, playing despite a recent illness, threw two touchdown passes, one to Marvin Harrison Jr. and a shovel-pass score to James Conner, finishing with 163 passing yards and a 21-of-29 completion rate.

Saints quarterback and Phoenix native Spencer Rattler completed 27 of 46 passes for 214 yards but failed to find the end zone.

The Cardinals built a halftime lead of 17‑10 and extended it to 20‑10 thanks to a pivotal 50‑yard field goal by Chad Ryland early in the second half.

New Orleans mounted a late rally, advancing to Arizona's 18-yard line. With time winding down, Rattler and the Saints failed on three consecutive passing attempts to get into the end zone.

The Cardinals start the season 1-0, along with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West.