GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals (3-4) snapped a two-game losing streak with a victory over the New Orleans Saints 42-34.
The win was fueled by a stretch in the second quarter where the defense forced Andy Dalton to throw two pick-sixes on back-to-back drives.
Arizona also ended a streak of 8 straight home losses, dating back to nearly one year ago on Oct. 24.
First quarter:
It only took 2:07 for the Saints to get on the board.
Dalton unleashed a 53-yard dart pass to Rashid Shaheed for a 7-0 lead and just the Saints' second touchdown in their last 24 opening drives.
The Cardinals also got on the board on their first drive. Rodrigo Blakenship, who was activated off the practice squad this week, hit a 50-yard field goal.
Closing out the first quarter of play, Antonio Hamilton intercepted Dalton in the endzone for his first-ever career interception.
END OF 1: NO 7, ARI 3
Second quarter:
Following the Hamilton interception and a long 45-yard run by Eno Benjamin, the Cardinals entered the red zone.
But again they failed to convert and were forced to settle for a field goal to pull within one, 7-6.
New Orleans had a big play of its own. A 63-yard pass from Dalton to Kevin White set up a short TD run for Taysom Hill and the Saints' lead moved to 14-6.
Eight minutes later, Arizona tied the game 14-14 with a 13-play drive ending in a touchdown and successful two-point conversion.
Little did fans know, that was only the beginning of the madness.
Right after the tying TD, Dalton threw his second interception of the night returned by M. Wilson for 38-yards and the lead.
But then, another inception from Dalton, this one a 58-yard return from Isaiah Simmons gave the Cardinals a two-score lead at the half.
HALFTIME: ARI 28, NO 14
Third quarter:
Both offenses were sluggish out of the break.
In the first eight minutes, a Will Lutz field goal was the only scoring. While the Cardinals started the quarter with three-straight three-and-outs.
Before the end of the quarter, Murray connected with Greg Dortch for a five-yard touchdown and an 18-point lead.
END OF 3: ARI 35, NO 17
Fourth quarter:
The Saints scored two touchdowns while attempting to crawl back into the game but a late touchdown and strong defensive effort shut down the comeback.
Kyler Murray finished the game with 204 passing yards and one touchdown. Benjamin rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
The Cardinals' 42 points on Thursday was the highest-scoring game in the Kliff Kingsbury era.
Arizona travels to Minnesota next week for a matchup against the Vikings.
FINAL: ARI 42, NO 34
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
