The New Orleans Saints are 0-1 for the first time since 2018.
New Orleans had a chance late to finish erasing a 10-point deficit and start the Kellen Moore era by extending its league-leading streak of six straight Week 1 wins.
But the best look at the end zone, an 18-yard strike from Spencer Rattler to Juwan Johnson on third down, was jarred loose by Arizona safety Budda Baker to help cash in the Cardinals’ 20-13 lead for the victory.
The ensuing fourth-down throw sailed just out of bounds wide to the left of a well-covered end zone as time expired.
New Orleans finished with more yards, 315-276; passing yardage, 208-130; and first downs, 21-19; but also more penalties at 13 flags for a combined 89 yards.
Rattler finished 27-for-46 (58.7%) for 214 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and averages of 4.7 yards per attempt and 7.9 yards per completion, while also rushing four times for 29 yards.
Johnson led all receivers with 76 yards on eight catches, and Chris Olave added seven receptions for 54 yards.
Alvin Kamara rushed 11 times for 45 yards and the team’s only touchdown and caught two passes for 12 yards.
New Orleans took a 7-3 early in the second on an 18-yard dash by the veteran running back to cap a 10-play, 75-yard march.
But back-and-forth stretch in which most of the game’s scoring occurred in five consecutive possessions was only just beginning.
Arizona answered right back, going 65 yards in seven plays for a goal-line touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr.
A 36-yard field goal by Blake Grupe late in the half knotted the game at 10-10.
But the Cardinals followed with their best drive of the day, 71 yards on 10 plays, to a 17-10 lead into the locker room on a 4-yard pass from Murray to running back James Conner.
Arizona forced a quick punt to start the third quarter, then added a 50-yard field goal by Chad Ryland to push their advantage to a 20-10 lead that would stand most of the half.
After just 77 yards and a missed field goal on their first four second-half possessions, the Saints finally mounted a 54-yard drive in the final minutes.
Rattler and company stalled in the red zone, but cut their deficit to 20-13 with a 28-yard kick by Grupe and received another opportunity after a quick three-and-out forced by the defense.
But New Orleans would run out of both time and downs as the Cardinals buckled down again.
Linebackers Pete Werner and Demario Davis led the Saints’ defense with nine tackles a piece, including a Werner sack and two tackles for loss by Davis.
Defensive ends Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan each recorded 1.5 sacks, and defensive back Alontae Taylor added another.
New Orleans will remain home in Caesars Superdome for its Week 2 games against the San Francisco 49ers at noon next Sunday
