NEW ORLEANS, La. (WLBT) - The New Orleans Saints fell just short in their season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, losing 20-13.
This loss ends the Saints’ streak of six consecutive opening game victories.
Neither offense really found its footing in this matchup until the second quarter, when the Saints got into the endzone first on an 18-yard rushing score from Alvin Kamara.
The Cardinals offense woke up after that, closing the quarter with back-to-back touchdown drives.
The second half turned into a stalemate after that, as both teams only scored three points each.
The Saints had a chance to tie later on, but a drop in the endzone by Juwan Johnson on third down and an incompletion on fourth would end those hopes.
While the Saints had a chance late in the game, the penalties were the Achilles’ heel in this one, finishing with 13 penalties for 89 yards.
Still, there were some positives as Spencer Rattler had a solid outing - finishing 27-of-46 for 214 yards - and Kamara looked as reliable as ever. He finished with 11 carries for 45 rushing yards and the Saints’ lone touchdown.
The Saints now shift their focus to its Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
That game kicks off at noon.
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