The New Orleans Saints offense hasnt been clicking lately, but one look at the Arizona Cardinals porous defense from wild-card weekend has to have them feeling good about their chances of rediscovering their prolific passing game.

To keep up with Arizonas air attack, they probably have to.

Kurt Warner and the Cardinals won the highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history last week to punch a ticket to the Superdome for Saturdays divisional showdown, and points should again be plentiful as Drew Brees and the Saints look to shake their late-season rust.

The defending NFC champions were underdogs in their own building going into their wild-card contest against Green Bay on Sunday, but the absence of Anquan Boldin didnt slow Warner and the Cardinals (11-6) against the conferences hottest team.

Warner staked Arizona to leads of 17-0 and 31-10 before the Packers rallied, exploding for 35 points over the final quarter and a half to force overtime after the Cardinals Neil Rackers blew a last-second, 34-yard field goal.

Though Warner threw for 379 yards and more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (four), it was Arizonas defense that allowed it to escape. Karlos Dansby returned Aaron Rodgers deflected fumble 17 yards for a touchdown on the third play of overtime to give the Cardinals a 51-45 victory.

We knew how tough it was going to be on our defense with all the weapons they have offensively and how theyve been playing, Warner said. It was just one of those games where I felt great. I loved our playing. I felt like I was seeing everything well and it accumulates to 51 points.

Warner, 9-3 in the playoffs, hit Steve Breaston seven times for 125 yards and threw two touchdowns apiece to Larry Fitzgerald and Early Doucet, but spent time after the game fighting off rumors of his possible retirement.

I dont think you ever want to stay too long, but you never want to go out before its time, he said. The hard part is trying to figure that out, but right now its about another playoff game. Its about New Orleans and then well go from there.

The Saints (13-3) didnt put up 51 points this season, but scored 45 or more four times in the first six weeks and at least 35 three more times in starting 13-0.

With Brees being mentioned as an MVP front-runner and a perfect regular season in sight, though, New Orleans faded down the stretch. The offense was held to 17 points in home losses to Dallas and Tampa Bay, and with the NFCs top seed locked up, Brees and the starters rested in a 23-10 loss at Carolina in Week 17.

The Saints have had the NFLs No. 1 total offense in three of the four seasons since the arrival of Brees and coach Sean Payton, but have just one playoff win.

We know how to play at a high level offensively, Brees said. The opportunity to get guys healthy – that was huge. Weve been banged up at times throughout the season.

Tight end Jeremy Shockey (toe), receiver Lance Moore (ankle) and leading rusher Pierre Thomas (ribs) were all hampered by injuries down the stretch, but each is expected to play Sunday.

Facing an Arizona defense that gave up 500 yards on two occasions this season and let the Packers rack up 403 through the air would seem to have Brees salivating, not that the four-time Pro Bowler would admit it.

New Orleans was 25th in total defense (357.8 yards per game) and 20th in points allowed (21.3), but scored eight touchdowns itself – three by safety Darren Sharper.

Another potential playmaker, rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, is expected to play despite a hamstring injury.

Boldin, who hurt his left ankle and knee in the regular-season finale against Green Bay, says he feels much better this week after sitting out the wild-card game and is optimistic hell play.

Gerald Hayes, however, may not. Arizonas middle linebacker sprained his ankle Sunday and was wearing a walking boot this week, leaving his status in doubt.

Whether Hayes plays or not, the Cardinals defense has plenty to work on.

Its hard to say anything positive when you give up as many yards as we did on defense, not just the cornerbacks, but everybody, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. It goes back to doing a better job of tackling.

With Arizonas defense already tired and having only five days to rest, rookie running back Beanie Wells may play a bigger role against a Saints defense that allowed an average of 166.3 yards on the ground over the last three weeks.

Wells had 91 yards on 14 carries Sunday, and the Cardinals are 7-1 when he rushes for more than 50 yards.

This is the first postseason meeting between Arizona and New Orleans. The teams last met Dec. 16, 2007, at the Superdome, with Brees going 26 for 30 for 315 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints 31-24 win. Warner threw for 233 yards and three TDs.

Posted on January 16th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: NFL football news