GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals didn’t have the prettiest Week 1 win in the NFL to open the season. The team had plenty of penalties and miscues that gave the New Orleans Saints life on the final possession of the game. However, Arizona survived, and head coach Jonathan Gannon is just happy to leave the Big Easy with the win, despite the few mistakes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“Honestly, Week 1 in the NFL, there’s a lot of unknown. I’m most pleased that we came out 1-0,” Gannon said. “Whatever we need to do to win the game. I’m sure [the players] want some plays back. We’ll learn from this and we’ll get better next week.”
Sep 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore and Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon hug and talk before the game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Gannon’s full post-game press conference after Cardinals win:
The Cardinals offense struggled mightily to get yards, recording only 38 passing yards in the second half of the game. Outside of a Trey Benson 52-yard run, Arizona struggled to find any rhythm by only scoring three points after halftime.
Gannon acknowledged the team’s struggle and gave credit to Saints head coach Kellen Moore and his superb gameplan to limit his offense. Quarterback Kyler Murray health struggles, battling an illness, might’ve also played a part in the team’s lack of points scored in the season opener.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon watches training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 6, 2025. © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
However, Gannon believed that all three levels made a play to win Sunday’s game, including All-Pro safety Budda Baker using his head to knock the game-tying touchdown catch out of New Orleans Juwan Jennings’ hands. The secondary played a massive part in Arizona’s win, as Gannon called rookie cornerback Will Johnson’s play “physical” and saw plenty of what he liked from him.
Despite the nine penalties and miscues from the offense, Gannon liked what he saw from all three levels against a well-coached Saints team. He claimed that this week will be used to get better for next week’s home opener against the Carolina Panther.
Cardinals survive mistake-filled season opener in 20-13 win over Saints
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
