Tis the season for NFL schedule leaks. The first one involving the New Orleans Saints was released by Nick Underhill of neworleans.football.
On Wednesday morning, Nick Underhill reports that the Saints will open their 2025-26 NFL season at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
It will officially be the first game on the sidelines as a head coach for new Saints coach Kellen Moore. It may also mark the first career start for former Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough, a second-round pick by New Orleans.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles away from New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles away from New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Saints are coming off a 5-12 season, their worst finish since 2005. Before the midway point, the team fired head coach Dennis Allen. It was the first mid-season head coaching firing New Orleans had made since 1980, when replacing Dick Nolan for Dick Stanfel on their way to a 1-15 record.
Arizona is coming off an 8-9 season, third in the NFC West. They will be in their third year under head coach Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals last made the playoffs in 2021-22. New Orleans has missed the postseason for four consecutive years, their longest drought since 2001 to 2005.
New Orleans and Arizona last met in 2022, a 42-34 Cardinals win in Arizona. These teams last met in New Orleans during the 2019 season, a 31-9 Saints victory behind 373 yards passing from quarterback Drew Brees.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) makes a throw in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) makes a throw in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images
The Saints and Cardinals have met 32 times. Their all-time series stands at a 16-16 deadlock. They've met 13 times in New Orleans, where the Saints own a 9-4 all-time advantage and have won their last five against the Cardinals dating back to the 1996 season.
New Orleans and Arizona have met once in the postseason. The Saints won a 45-14 showdown against the Cardinals at home in the 2010 Divisional Playoffs on their way to a Super Bowl XLIV championship.
New Orleans has won their last six season openers. Their last loss to start a year was a 2018 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.