Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats
The arizona cardinals vs new orleans saints match player stats from September 7, 2025, tell a story that goes beyond Arizona’s 20-13 victory. The Cardinals produced just 163 passing yards, but Kyler Murray delivered two touchdown passes without an interception, while the rushing attack added 146 yards. New Orleans actually matched Arizona’s 214 passing yards, but the Saints struggled to convert that production into touchdowns and finished with only 13 points.
Arizona controlled the scoreboard because its most important offensive possessions ended in touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. caught five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, Trey McBride added six receptions for 61 yards, and James Conner contributed a receiving touchdown. On the other side, Juwan Johnson led New Orleans with eight receptions for 76 yards, while Chris Olave caught seven passes for 54 yards on 13 targets.
The game also showed why box scores need context. New Orleans recorded five sacks and had several strong defensive performances, yet Arizona still finished with the victory. The Cardinals avoided turnovers, created enough explosive rushing plays, and converted their best red-zone opportunities into points.
Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The matchup took place on September 7, 2025, in New Orleans. Arizona won 20-13 and opened its season with a 1-0 record, while the Saints began the season 0-1. The scoring pattern was especially important because Arizona built its advantage during the second quarter and then protected it during the second half.
| Quarter | Arizona Cardinals | New Orleans Saints |
| 1st | 3 | 0 |
| 2nd | 14 | 10 |
| 3rd | 3 | 0 |
| 4th | 0 | 3 |
| Final | 20 | 13 |
Arizona scored three points in the opening quarter through a Chad Ryland field goal. New Orleans responded with an Alvin Kamara rushing touchdown early in the second quarter.
The Cardinals then produced their most productive stretch of the game.
Marvin Harrison Jr. scored on a one-yard touchdown reception from Murray, and James Conner later caught a four-yard touchdown pass from the Cardinals quarterback. Arizona added a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter and held New Orleans scoreless during that period.
The Saints scored the only points of the fourth quarter, but the comeback attempt ended without a touchdown.
Kyler Murray’s Passing Performance
Kyler Murray finished 21 of 29 passing for 163 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. His completion rate was approximately 72.4 percent, and his passer rating was 108.8.
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
| Kyler Murray | 21 | 29 | 163 | 2 | 0 | 108.8 |
| Spencer Rattler | 27 | 46 | 214 | 0 | 0 | 70.4 |
Murray’s yardage total was modest compared with many high-volume NFL passing performances, but the efficiency of his passing was more important to Arizona’s scoring output.
He completed passes to multiple targets and found Harrison Jr. for a touchdown. He also connected with Conner for another score. Most importantly, he did not throw an interception.
There was a negative side to the performance. Murray was sacked five times for a combined 33 yards. New Orleans therefore created considerable pressure even though it did not force a turnover.
The five sacks are an important part of understanding his final numbers. Arizona’s passing production could have been more efficient if the Saints had not consistently disrupted the pocket.
Murray also contributed 38 rushing yards on seven carries, giving Arizona another dimension when passing lanes were restricted.
Spencer Rattler’s Passing Performance
Spencer Rattler completed 27 of 46 attempts for 214 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception and finished with a 70.4 passer rating.
His completion percentage was approximately 58.7 percent.
The volume was significant. Rattler attempted 46 passes compared with Murray’s 29. New Orleans therefore relied heavily on the passing game while trying to overcome Arizona’s lead.
The problem was scoring efficiency.
Rattler moved the ball between the twenties, particularly during the fourth quarter, but the Saints failed to turn their final opportunities into a touchdown. New Orleans eventually settled for a field goal to make the score 20-13.
The passing numbers also show an interesting contrast. Rattler produced 51 more passing yards than Murray, yet Arizona scored more touchdowns through the air.
That difference is one of the clearest lessons from this matchup. Raw passing yardage did not determine the winner.
Arizona Rushing Stats
Arizona finished with 146 rushing yards on 27 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Trey Benson | 8 | 69 | 8.6 | 0 | 52 |
| James Conner | 12 | 39 | 3.3 | 0 | 12 |
| Kyler Murray | 7 | 38 | 5.4 | 0 | 13 |
| Team | 27 | 146 | 5.4 | 0 | 52 |
Trey Benson produced the most explosive rushing performance for Arizona. He carried the ball only eight times but gained 69 yards, including a 52-yard run.
That long gain substantially influenced his average of 8.6 yards per carry.
James Conner handled the largest rushing workload with 12 carries. His 39 yards represented a more physical, volume-oriented contribution rather than an explosive one.
Murray’s seven carries were also important. His 38 rushing yards gave Arizona another source of yardage and helped keep the offense functional when New Orleans generated pressure.
Trey Benson’s Explosive Contribution
Benson’s 52-yard run stands out in the rushing statistics because it represented more than one third of his total rushing yardage.
His overall average of 8.6 yards per carry demonstrates the difference between volume and explosiveness. Conner received more carries, but Benson generated substantially more yardage per opportunity.
For anyone analyzing the player statistics, this is one of the most useful numbers to isolate. A simple look at total carries might suggest Conner was the primary rushing contributor. Looking at efficiency and long gains shows Benson supplied Arizona with the game’s most explosive rushing play.
New Orleans Rushing Stats
New Orleans finished with 107 rushing yards on 22 attempts, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Alvin Kamara | 11 | 45 | 4.1 | 1 | 18 |
| Spencer Rattler | 4 | 29 | 7.3 | 0 | 12 |
| Kendre Miller | 5 | 24 | 4.8 | 0 | 10 |
| Devin Neal | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 | 5 |
| Team | 22 | 107 | 4.9 | 1 | 18 |
Alvin Kamara led the Saints in rushing volume and scored New Orleans‘ only touchdown.
His 45 yards on 11 attempts produced a 4.1-yard average. The touchdown was an 18-yard run that gave New Orleans an early lead in the second quarter.
Rattler also contributed 29 rushing yards on four carries. His 7.3-yard average was higher than Kamara’s and reflected his ability to gain yardage outside the traditional passing structure.
Kendre Miller added 24 yards on five attempts, while Devin Neal finished with nine yards on two carries.
Arizona Receiving Stats
Arizona’s passing game was concentrated around two major targets and several complementary contributors.
| Receiver | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | 5 | 71 | 14.2 | 1 | 45 | 6 |
| Trey McBride | 6 | 61 | 10.2 | 0 | 25 | 9 |
| Tip Reiman | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Trey Benson | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| James Conner | 4 | 5 | 1.3 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Michael Wilson | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| Zay Jones | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Elijah Higgins | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Greg Dortch | 1 | -2 | -2.0 | 0 | -2 | 1 |
| Team | 21 | 163 | 7.8 | 2 | 45 | 29 |
Marvin Harrison Jr. was Arizona’s leading receiving yardage contributor. He caught five of six targets for 71 yards and a touchdown.
His 45-yard longest reception was particularly significant because it supplied a major portion of his total yardage.
Trey McBride led the Cardinals in receptions with six and was targeted nine times. His 61 yards gave Murray a reliable middle-area option throughout the game.
James Conner’s receiving numbers were unusual because he caught four passes but gained only five yards. Despite the limited yardage, one of those receptions became a four-yard touchdown.
This is a good example of why fantasy-style box-score analysis and team-level analysis can tell different stories. A five-yard receiving total might look insignificant, but the touchdown directly affected the final score.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Impact
Harrison Jr. finished with 71 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches.
His average of 14.2 yards per reception was the highest among Arizona players with multiple catches.
His six targets also show that Arizona was willing to use him as a meaningful part of the passing structure without forcing the ball to him on every possession.
The one-yard touchdown reception was the first Arizona touchdown of the game. It came after the Saints had taken a 7-3 lead, helping Arizona regain momentum.
Trey McBride’s Role
McBride caught six of nine targets for 61 yards.
His nine targets were the highest total among Arizona receivers. Although he did not score, he produced a steady stream of first-down type gains and helped Murray distribute the ball.
The combination of McBride’s 61 yards and Harrison Jr.’s 71 yards accounted for 132 of Arizona’s 163 passing yards.
That means approximately 81 percent of Murray’s passing yardage went to those two players.
This concentration is one of the clearest patterns in the offensive statistics.
New Orleans Receiving Stats
New Orleans produced 214 receiving yards from 27 receptions on 41 targets.
| Receiver | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
| Juwan Johnson | 8 | 76 | 9.5 | 0 | 21 | 11 |
| Chris Olave | 7 | 54 | 7.7 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| Rashid Shaheed | 6 | 33 | 5.5 | 0 | 17 | 9 |
| Brandin Cooks | 3 | 26 | 8.7 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| Devaughn Vele | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 13 | 2 |
| Alvin Kamara | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Team | 27 | 214 | 7.9 | 0 | 21 | 41 |
Juwan Johnson led New Orleans with eight receptions for 76 yards.
Chris Olave was targeted a team-high 13 times and caught seven passes for 54 yards.
Rashid Shaheed added six receptions for 33 yards, while Brandin Cooks finished with three receptions for 26 yards.
The Saints’ receiving numbers demonstrate that Rattler was able to distribute the ball, but the offense struggled to finish drives.
The biggest issue was the absence of a receiving touchdown.
Arizona scored twice through the air. New Orleans produced zero passing touchdowns despite 41 team targets.
Chris Olave’s 13 Targets
Olave’s 13 targets were the highest individual target total in the game.
He finished with seven catches for 54 yards, giving him a 53.8 percent catch rate based on the listed targets.
His longest reception was 13 yards, which shows that the Saints were not consistently creating major explosive gains through him.
Olave was still heavily involved. The number of targets indicates that he remained an important part of the offensive plan, even though the production per target was limited.
Juwan Johnson’s Efficient Night
Johnson caught eight of 11 targets for 76 yards.
His 9.5 yards per reception led the Saints among their primary high-volume receivers.
He also produced New Orleans’ longest reception, a 21-yard gain.
Johnson’s performance became particularly important late in the game when the Saints were trying to move into scoring range.
Even with that production, the offense ultimately settled for a field goal instead of finding the end zone.
Defensive Player Stats
Arizona’s defense recorded 74 tackles, 38 solo tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss, 10 passes defended and two quarterback hits.
Budda Baker led the Cardinals with 10 total tackles, including five solo tackles. He also recorded one tackle for loss and one pass defended.
New Orleans produced more pressure overall. The Saints recorded five sacks, seven tackles for loss, five passes defended and five quarterback hits.
| Defensive Category | Arizona | New Orleans |
| Total tackles | 74 | 70 |
| Solo tackles | 38 | 43 |
| Sacks | 1 | 5 |
| Tackles for loss | 3 | 7 |
| Passes defended | 10 | 5 |
| QB hits | 2 | 5 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
The Saints’ five sacks were a major defensive achievement.
Carl Granderson recorded 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and two passes defended. Cameron Jordan also recorded 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, one pass defended and two quarterback hits.
Pete Werner and Demario Davis each recorded nine tackles.
Arizona’s defensive leader was Budda Baker with 10 tackles.
The defensive numbers reveal a fascinating contrast. New Orleans generated more backfield pressure, but Arizona’s defense created more passes defended and ultimately limited the Saints to 13 points.
The Turnover Battle
Neither team committed a turnover.
Arizona had no fumbles and no interceptions.
New Orleans also had no fumbles and no interceptions.
This made the game unusually clean from a turnover perspective.
Because neither side gave away possession through an interception or lost fumble, other areas such as red-zone efficiency, explosive plays, pressure and field position became more important.
Arizona’s ability to score two passing touchdowns without turning the ball over was particularly useful.
New Orleans had comparable opportunities with the ball but could not generate a touchdown through the passing game.
Special Teams Statistics
Special teams played a meaningful role in the field-position battle.
Arizona’s Greg Dortch returned two kickoffs for 44 yards and three punts for 30 yards. Emari Demercado added one kickoff return for 29 yards.
Arizona finished with 73 kickoff return yards and averaged 24.3 yards per return.
New Orleans generated 128 kickoff return yards. Kendre Miller returned three kickoffs for 88 yards, while Velus Jones Jr. added 40 yards on two returns.
Rashid Shaheed returned two punts for 18 yards.
Kicking
Chad Ryland made two of three field-goal attempts for Arizona and converted both extra points. His longest successful field goal was 50 yards, and he scored eight points.
Blake Grupe also made two of three field goals for New Orleans and converted his only extra-point attempt. His longest field goal was 36 yards, giving him seven points.
Arizona therefore received one more point from its kicker than New Orleans.
Punting
Blake Gillikin punted four times for 188 yards, averaging 47.0 yards per punt.
Kai Kroeger punted four times for 202 yards, averaging 50.5 yards per punt.
Kroeger had two punts inside the 20-yard line, while Gillikin had one.
New Orleans therefore had the stronger raw punting average, but that advantage did not translate into a win.
Why Arizona Won Despite New Orleans Recording Five Sacks
One of the most interesting aspects of the game is that New Orleans clearly won the sack battle.
The Saints recorded five sacks compared with one for Arizona.
Yet Arizona won the game by seven points.
The explanation is found in how the teams used their opportunities.
Arizona scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. One came from Harrison Jr. and the other from Conner. Those touchdowns created a scoring cushion that New Orleans could not erase.
Arizona also produced 146 rushing yards, including Benson’s 52-yard run.
New Orleans moved the ball effectively through the air but struggled in the most important scoring situations.
The Saints’ 214 passing yards were 51 more than Arizona’s 163. However, those extra yards did not result in a passing touchdown.
This is why the arizona cardinals vs new orleans saints match player stats should not be evaluated by one category alone.
Passing yards, sacks, receptions and tackles all tell different parts of the story.
Second-Quarter Swing
The second quarter was the decisive scoring period.
New Orleans began the quarter with Kamara’s 18-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Saints a 7-3 lead.
Arizona answered with Harrison Jr.’s touchdown reception.
New Orleans later tied the game at 10-10 with a field goal.
Then Arizona took control again when Murray connected with Conner for a four-yard touchdown with 28 seconds remaining in the first half.
That sequence gave Arizona a 17-10 halftime lead.
The Cardinals never gave up the lead afterward.
This is the central scoring pattern behind the final result. New Orleans scored first, but Arizona responded to every major challenge during the first half and entered halftime with a seven-point advantage.
Fourth-Quarter Pressure
The Saints had a genuine opportunity to make the game much closer in the final quarter.
New Orleans drove 54 yards and finished the possession with a 28-yard field goal, reducing Arizona’s advantage to 20-13.
Arizona then attempted a 46-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked by Bryan Bresee.
That gave New Orleans another opportunity.
The Saints moved the ball downfield again, but the possession ended on downs after a late drive.
The play-by-play also shows a reviewed completion to Olave near the end of the game was overturned to an incompletion.
Those late possessions demonstrate how close the final margin was despite Arizona leading for much of the second half.
What the Player Statistics Reveal
Several statistical themes stand out from this matchup.
1. Arizona was more efficient with touchdowns
Murray threw two touchdown passes.
Rattler threw none.
Arizona therefore converted its passing production into more points despite gaining fewer passing yards.
2. New Orleans generated more quarterback pressure
Five sacks against Murray were significant.
The Saints repeatedly disrupted Arizona’s passing rhythm.
However, the pressure did not lead to an interception or fumble.
3. Arizona’s running game supplied explosive yardage
The Cardinals gained 146 rushing yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
Benson’s 52-yard run was the biggest individual rushing play of the game.
4. New Orleans had more passing volume
Rattler attempted 46 passes compared with 29 for Murray.
New Orleans completed 27 passes, while Arizona completed 21.
That volume advantage did not produce enough points.
5. Both teams avoided turnovers
Neither side threw an interception or lost a fumble.
That made execution in scoring territory especially important.
A Closer Look at the Offensive Balance
Arizona’s offense was not overwhelmingly productive by yardage standards.
The Cardinals passed for 163 yards and rushed for 146 yards, giving them a balanced statistical profile.
New Orleans passed for 214 yards and rushed for 107 yards.
That means the Saints produced more total offensive yardage through the listed passing and rushing categories, yet Arizona scored seven more points.
This is a useful reminder that total yardage does not always match scoring output.
Arizona’s offense was particularly effective when it reached touchdown range.
The Cardinals scored touchdowns through Harrison Jr. and Conner. New Orleans scored its only touchdown through Kamara’s rushing attempt.
The remaining points for both teams came from field goals.
How to Read These Stats for Future Matchups
When analyzing another Cardinals or Saints game, it is useful to compare several categories together rather than focusing on one statistic.
Start with quarterback efficiency.
Look at:
- Completion percentage
- Passing yards
- Touchdowns
- Interceptions
- Sacks
- Passer rating
Then examine the rushing game.
Pay attention to:
- Carries
- Yards per carry
- Explosive runs
- Rushing touchdowns
- Quarterback rushing production
Receiving statistics should be evaluated using both catches and targets.
A receiver with eight catches on 11 targets has a different statistical profile from someone with eight catches on 15 targets.
Defensive analysis should include sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits and passes defended.
Finally, special teams can explain field-position advantages that do not immediately appear in the offensive box score.
Historical Context of the Opening Week Result
This game served as Arizona’s opening contest of the 2025 regular season and New Orleans’ first game of the season as well.
Arizona’s 20-13 win gave the Cardinals a 1-0 start, while New Orleans fell to 0-1.
The result therefore mattered beyond the individual player statistics. It established the early-season records for both teams and provided a baseline for evaluating their subsequent performances.
For a player-stat article, however, the most important point is not simply who won.
The deeper value comes from understanding how each individual performance contributed to that result.
Murray’s two touchdown passes, Harrison Jr.’s 71 receiving yards, Benson’s 69 rushing yards, Baker’s 10 tackles and Arizona’s 146 rushing yards were central components of the Cardinals‘ victory.
For New Orleans, Rattler’s 214 passing yards, Johnson’s 76 receiving yards, Olave’s 13 targets, Kamara’s touchdown and the defense’s five sacks were the most notable statistical contributions.
Key Statistical Takeaways
The most important numbers from the matchup can be summarized as follows:
- Final score: Arizona 20, New Orleans 13
- Murray: 21 completions on 29 attempts, 163 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions
- Rattler: 27 completions on 46 attempts, 214 yards, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions
- Benson: 69 rushing yards on eight carries
- Kamara: 45 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown
- Harrison Jr.: five receptions, 71 yards and one touchdown
- McBride: six receptions and 61 yards
- Johnson: eight receptions and 76 yards
- Baker: 10 total tackles
- Arizona defense: one sack
- New Orleans defense: five sacks
- Arizona rushing: 146 yards
- New Orleans rushing: 107 yards
- Arizona passing: 163 yards
- New Orleans passing: 214 yards
- Turnovers: zero for both teams
These figures provide a much clearer picture than the final score alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints?
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the New Orleans Saints 20-13 on September 7, 2025.
How many passing yards did Kyler Murray have?
Kyler Murray completed 21 of 29 passes for 163 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
How many passing yards did Spencer Rattler have?
Spencer Rattler completed 27 of 46 passes for 214 yards. He threw no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Who was Arizona’s leading receiver?
Marvin Harrison Jr. led Arizona with five receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. Trey McBride led the Cardinals in receptions with six.
Who led the Saints in receiving?
Juwan Johnson led New Orleans with eight receptions for 76 yards. Chris Olave had seven receptions for 54 yards and a team-high 13 targets.
Which team had more sacks?
New Orleans recorded five sacks, while Arizona recorded one sack.
Conclusion
The arizona cardinals vs new orleans saints match player stats from September 7, 2025, show a game decided by execution rather than simply total yardage.
New Orleans gained more passing yards and generated five sacks, while Arizona produced 146 rushing yards and scored two passing touchdowns. Murray completed 21 of 29 passes for 163 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Rattler completed 27 of 46 passes for 214 yards but did not throw a touchdown.
Harrison Jr. supplied 71 receiving yards and a touchdown, McBride added 61 yards, and Benson provided the game’s most explosive rushing play with a 52-yard run. For New Orleans, Johnson led the receiving group with 76 yards, Kamara scored the Saints’ only touchdown, and the defensive front generated five sacks.
Neither team committed a turnover.
The final 20-13 score therefore reflects a matchup in which Arizona made more of its most valuable scoring opportunities, while New Orleans accumulated respectable offensive production without consistently turning that production into touchdowns.
For readers studying NFL player statistics, this game is a useful example of why passing yardage, rushing totals, receiving volume, defensive pressure and scoring efficiency should be examined together rather than treated as isolated measurements.
Source: The game statistics were cross-checked against the ESPN NFL box score and game information. ESPN NFL box score for Cardinals vs. Saints
