Saints Take Control of Game, Lead Cards 17-7 After Three

Sep 22, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Just when it appeared the New Orleans Saints were going to take the second-half opening drive down the field and start putting the game away, along came a guy named Tryann Mathieu.  Mathieu,  the Arizona Cardinals safety, whose family and friends were in the stands in his homecoming to Louisiana, picked off his first pass of his short NFL career so far in the end zone to end the threat.

Once again though, the Cardinals offense stalled.  It’s almost as if that first drive was a full season ago.  The Cards completely went away from what got them their first score.  That isn’t the first time that they’ve done that in the past either.  Different coaching staff, same result.  I really don’t understand why teams go away from what is working?

The Saints were able to add a 31-yard field goal and honestly that’s all they’ve really needed with the Cards offense doing absolutely nothing.  The one first down the Cards were able to complete was negated by an illegal shift penalty.  It has been that kind of day so far.

The Saints Darren Sproles, someone the Cards were definitely worried about coming into the game, has started to get hot.  The Cards also need to do a better job of tackling.  That would go a long way in stopping the Saints on some of these drives.