New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals: Key Match-Ups to Watch

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints travel to the desert this Sunday afternoon to take on the Arizona Cardinals. Both teams effectively had their playoff hopes snuffed out last week in separate but ugly losses.

Arizona’s loss to Miami dropped the defending NFC West champions to a record of (5-7-1); while the Saints dropped to (5-8) with an unpleasant 16-11 loss to Tampa Bay.

New Orleans has lost 4 of their last five games after evening their record at 4-4 at the midway point of the year.

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The Cardinals meanwhile, have lost 3 of their last 4, and 4 of the last 6 ball-games. Arizona was touted as a popular Super Bowl pick coming into 2016, after two straight playoff seasons and a berth in last season’s conference championship game.

Both of these teams are loaded with fine talent, particularly at the skill positions, but players who have under-performed in recent weeks.

Both have superb head coaches known for their innovative offenses, but have seen their units surrender a flurry of untimely turnovers.

Despite the game having no meaning in the 2016 NFL Playoff race, it is still an important game for both franchises for a variety of reasons.

Take a break from decorating your house for the holidays and let’s have a glance at a few match ups that will determine which of these teams halt their losing streak.

And we’ll start with….