Saints vs Cardinals Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Week 1 on 9/7/2025

The Arizona Cardinals travel to the Caesars Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints in the opening week of the 2025 NFL season. This Sunday afternoon game, set to kick off at 1:00 PM, will be broadcasted on CBS. Despite the warm weather forecast, the dome setting ensures that wind will not impact play. The Cardinals, led by head coach Jonathan Gannon, enter the game following a mixed preseason, with a notable 20-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. They aim to maintain their momentum with Drew Petzing calling the shots as Offensive Coordinator and Nick Rallis orchestrating the defense. The team is coming off a preseason where they showed a strong rushing attack, highlighted by their performance against the Raiders. On the other side, the Saints, under the guidance of head coach Kellen Moore, seek to turn the tide after a challenging preseason. Their recent 28-19 loss to the Denver Broncos at home underscores areas they need to improve. With Doug Nussmeier and Brandon Staley coordinating their offense and defense respectively, the Saints will look to leverage their home-field advantage in front of a supportive crowd.

Saints vs Cardinals At a Glance

• Season Opener: The Arizona Cardinals face the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
• Stadium: The game will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA.
• Weather: Expect a warm day with scattered clouds, though the dome setting minimizes weather impact.
• Broadcast Information: Catch the game on CBS starting at 1:00 PM.
• Betting Odds: The Cardinals are favored with a moneyline of -287, while the Saints stand at +236.
• Point Spread: The Cardinals are at -6.5 (-109) against the spread, with the Saints at +6.5 (-111).

Saints March Into The Season: New Orleans Saints Game Preview

Team Overview

The New Orleans Saints are coming off a challenging preseason, struggling in all three games. Their most recent outing saw a 28-19 defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos at the Caesars Superdome. Despite this, their roster boasts notable talent across various positions, indicating potential for improvement.

Offensively, the Saints ranked 23rd in both scoring and passing yards during the 2024 regular season. The rushing game proved to be a relative strength, ranking 14th in the league. This suggests an opportunity to leverage their ground game in the upcoming season.

Offensive Highlights

Quarterback Derek Carr led the Saints with 2,145 passing yards last season, placing 25th in the league. His 15 touchdown passes demonstrate his capability to lead the offense, although there’s room for improvement in the passing game.

Running back Alvin Kamara remains a crucial component of the Saints’ offense. He amassed 950 rushing yards and six touchdowns, showcasing his importance to the team’s offensive strategy. His dual-threat ability as a receiver adds another dimension to the Saints’ attack.

Defensive Standouts

The Saints’ defense finished the 2024 season ranked 18th in opponent scoring, while their pass rush was a bright spot with 39 sacks, ranking 10th in the league. Their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks will be pivotal in the upcoming games.

In the secondary, the Saints excelled at creating turnovers, with 14 interceptions ranking them 6th in the league. This knack for disrupting passing games can be a significant advantage in critical situations.

Injury Concerns

The Saints are dealing with several injuries, including key players like Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau, both of whom are out for the start of the season. These absences may affect their depth and performance, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Questionable players such as Trevor Penning and Alontae Taylor could also impact the Saints’ effectiveness if they are unable to play. Monitoring the injury report will be crucial as the season progresses.

Betting Trends

• Saints are 3-0 against the spread in their last three home games.
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the Saints’ last 5 games.
• Saints are 1-2 straight up in their last three preseason games.
• Saints have lost their last 3 games when the spread was set between +3 to -3.

Arizona Cardinals Prepare for a Challenging Season Opener

Cardinals Offensive Overview

The Arizona Cardinals’ offense ranked 12th in scoring last season, putting up 400 points. Their passing game, led by Kyler Murray, accumulated 3,639 yards, placing them 18th in the league. The ground attack was more effective, with 2,451 rushing yards, ranking 7th overall.

With a third-down conversion rate of 43%, the Cardinals demonstrated efficiency in sustaining drives, ranking 8th in this category. Their ability to move the chains was evident, as they achieved 356 first downs, also ranking 8th.

Cardinals Defensive Highlights

Defensively, the Cardinals allowed 379 points, placing them 14th in opponent scoring. They were effective in pressuring the quarterback, recording 41 sacks, which was good for 8th in the league. Arizona’s defense also showed playmaking ability, with 9 interceptions, ranking 11th.

The Cardinals’ defense was adept at recovering fumbles, tallying 8 recoveries, which was 7th best. However, they struggled in containing opposing offenses, allowing 5,823 yards, ranking 21st in total defensive yards.

Preseason Performance

The Cardinals had mixed results in the preseason, securing wins against the Kansas City Chiefs (20-17) and Las Vegas Raiders (20-10), while suffering a defeat to the Denver Broncos (27-7). Their rushing attack was a highlight against the Raiders, amassing 210 yards. In contrast, the passing game struggled against the Broncos, with only 99 yards.

Key offensive contributors included Bam Knight and Clayton Tune, with Knight rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. On the defensive side, Kyon Barrs and Anthony Goodlow made an impact, with Barrs recording a sack in the same game.

Upcoming Challenges

The Cardinals face a tough opening game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. They will need to capitalize on their rushing strengths while improving their pass defense. Injuries could be a concern, with several key players on the injured reserve or questionable.

Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends

• Overall, the Cardinals had a mixed preseason with a 2-1 record.
• They won both home preseason games and lost the away game.
• Arizona’s rushing game was a consistent strength throughout the preseason.

Saints vs Cardinals Prediction: Over 43.5

The Saints and Cardinals open their 2025 season at the Caesars Superdome, a venue that typically favors offensive play due to its dome environment. The Cardinals’ offensive unit ranked 12th last season with 400 points, suggesting they can put points on the board. Their rushing attack, ranked 7th, could exploit the Saints’ defensive vulnerabilities, evidenced by New Orleans’ 30th ranking in opponent offensive yards allowed.

On the defensive side, the Cardinals allowed 379 points last season, which is middle of the pack. However, their defense also ranked 21st in opponent offensive yards, indicating potential difficulties in containing the Saints’ offense. The Saints themselves scored 338 points last season, but their home field and a new season might boost their scoring potential against a less restrictive defense.

Historically, games between these teams have seen high-scoring affairs, such as the 48-41 shootout in 2016. The past meetings suggest potential for an offensive battle, and with both teams bringing capable offenses and question marks on defense, surpassing the total of 43.5 points appears achievable. Therefore, the projection leans towards the over.

Given these factors, a projected score of Cardinals 28 – Saints 24 aligns with expectations for a competitive and high-scoring game, covering the over. This total would comfortably exceed the current line of 43.5 points.

• Saints vs Cardinals Prediction: Over 43.5
• Saints vs Cardinals Score: Cardinals 28 – Saints 24