<span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Memorable Saints vs. Cardinals Match-Ups</span>
<span style="">All-Time Series Thumbnails</span>
<span style="">LOOKING BACK </span>
The series between the Saints and Cardinals has been defined by closely-contested outcomes. Of the games listed, three were decided by seven points or less. A look back at the most memorable clashes:
Oct. 29, 2000: Saints 21, Cardinals 10 at Sun Devil Stadium – The Cards took a 10-7 halftime lead, but the Saints grabbed the lead for good with 5:07 left in the 3rd quarter when Keith Mitchell deflected, juggled and then caught a Jake Plummer pass and rambled 40 yards for the touchdown and a 14-10 advantage. The Saints took advantage of another Arizona turnover, this time a fumbled punt return. Two plays later, Ricky Williams closed out the scoring with a 1-yard plunge with 10:32 to go in the game, his 7th rushing touchdown in the last 4 games.
Dec. 20, 1998: Cardinals 19, Saints 17 at Sun Devil Stadium – The Saints were defeated by the Cardinals on a last-second 36-yard field goal. The loss eliminated New Orleans from playoff contention. S Sammy Knight led a defensive effort that continued to put up amazing numbers. Knight intercepted a second quarter QB Jake Plummer pass and returned it 39-yards for a touchdown.
Dec. 14, 1997: Saints 27, Cardinals 10 at The Superdome – QB Billy Joe Hobert shook off a 2-9 first half passing mark, to go 12-15 for 243 yards and three touchdowns. WR Randal Hill snared five passes for a team season-high 124 yards, and one TD.
Oct. 31, 1993: Saints 20, Cardinals 17 at Sun Devil Stadium – K Morten Anderson hit a 40-yard field goal with 6:36 left on the clock to help the Saints complete a comeback from a 17-7 halftime deficit.
Oct. 18, 1992: Saints 30, Falcons 21 at Sun Devil Stadium – The Saints rebounded from a penalty and turnover-laden first half, when they finally pulled ahead 6:55 into the third quarter when Bobby Hebert hooked up with Dalton Hilliard. The Saints piled on 20 second half points and Hebert finished with 355-yards passing.
Dec. 22, 1991: Saints 27, Cardinals 3 at Sun Devil Stadium – The Saints defense forced seven turnovers on the day to overcome the Cardinals. S Gene Atkins led the way and tied a club record with 3 interceptions.
Sept. 23, 1990: Saints 28, Cardinals 7 at the Superdome – New Orleans scored 21 unanswered points in the second half, all of which were touchdown runs by RB Rueben Mayes. Mayes finished the day with 99-yards on the ground and three rushing TDs.
Oct. 11, 1987: Cardinals 24, Saints 19 at the Superdome – In a game featuring replacement players due to the NFL strike, New Orleans opened the game with a 14-play drive, but on the 15th play, a field goal attempt, turned into a Cardinals score due to a fumbled snap. Another fumble was also returned for a score and a 17-0 Cardinals lead resulted. Gutsy QB John Fourcade returned in the second half after an injury, and closed the gap, but the early deficit proved to be too much to overcome. Only 11,795 fans would watch the game, the lowest attendance for a game the Saints were involved in club history.
Nov. 16, 1986: Saints 16, Cardinals 7 at Busch Stadium– After an uneventful first quarter, the Saints got rolling in the second quarter to a ten-point lead on consecutive possessions when QB Dave Wilson would throw for a touchdown and K Morten Andersen would kick a 47-yard field goal.
Sept. 23, 1984: Saints 34, Cardinals 24 at the Superdome – New Orleans had its best offensive day of 1984 with 25 first downs, 450 total yards and three TD passes. The defense held the potent Cardinals offense to 337 total yards.
Sept. 4, 1983: Saints 28, Cardinals 17 at the Superdome –The Saints offense piled up 383 total yards despite losing starting QB Ken Stabler on the third play of the game with a knee injury as they won their first season opener since 1977. RB George Rogers rushed for a franchise-record 266 yards and two touchdowns.
Dec. 8, 1974: Saints 14, Cardinals 0 at Tulane Stadium –The Saints recorded their first shutout in club history in their final game played at Tulane Stadium, the home for the first eight years of the franchise's existence.
