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Cardinals at Saints: how to watch, what to watch for

The Arizona Cardinals take on the New Orleans Saints in week two of the preseason. Here's how to watch and what to watch for.

NEW ORLEANS - After a 24-17 preseason victory at home last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Cardinals are in New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the Saints.

The two teams have played twice in the last three years, splitting those games with one win apiece.

The Saints finished the 2017 with an 11-5 record, finishing the regular season with the second-ranked offense in the league. The team defeated the Carolina Panthers in the divisional round of the playoffs, but fell to the Minnesota Vikings in the conference championship game.

The Saints' high-powered offense is led by quarterback Brees, running back Mark Ingram and second running back Alvin Kamara, who broke out and won the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Coincidentally, Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore won the defensive rookie of the year.

HOW TO WATCH:

CHANNEL: 12 News KPNX

TIME: Coverage begins at 4:30 with the Cardinals pregame show, kickoff at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

MORE CARDINALS: 12News.com/Cardinals

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

The Cardinals took the win over the Chargers last week despite a rather inefficient offense that went 0-for-11 on third down and totaled just 174 yards. The defense performed better, coming up with three fumbles and an interception.

Less than a month until the season opener, there are multiple storylines on both sides of the ball for the Cards coming into New Orleans.

Josh Rosen

While Sam Bradford, acquired by the Cardinals this offseason, is listed as QB1 on the depth chart and is expected to start the regular season, the Cardinals traded up to the 10th overall pick in the draft to select Josh Rosen as the future of the franchise.

The rookie out of UCLA is set firmly in the backup role on the depth chart, but should get some added action with the first-team offense against the Saints, Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks said this week.

Against the Chargers, Rosen went 6-for-13 through the air for 41 yards. While it's not a position battle right now with Bradford, all eyes will be on Rosen as the Cardinals groom him to, one day, be the face of the franchise.

Wide Receivers (not named Larry Fitzgerald)

After murmurs of possible retirement for Larry Fitzgerald loomed for a few weeks after last season, the star receiver is back for his 15th year. Looking at the wide receiver depth chart, it's a good thing he is.

There's an ongoing position battle for the WR2 position, lining up on the opposite side from Fitzgerald. The Cardinals signed ex-Cowboys receiver Brice Butler this offseason. The 28-year-old had 15 receptions for 331 yards and three touchdowns for Dallas in 2017. Butler will sit Friday against the Saints due to a foot injury that caused him to leave practice on Monday.

Also behind Fitzgerald is Chad Williams, who the Cardinals drafted in the third round in 2017. Williams played just 98 offensive snaps last season after being out of shape and struggling to adjust to the playbook, but has had a much better offseason up to this point. Wilks has a lot of confidence in Williams going into Friday's game.

Other key receivers to watch for include J.J. Nelson and rookie Christian Kirk. Nelson was the second-leading receiver last year behind Fitzgerald, catching 29 passes for 508 yards and two touchdowns. Just one season before, Nelson caught six touchdown passes.

Kirk, the speedy and exciting receiver out of Texas A&M, was drafted in the second round this year by Arizona. He's expected to make an impact on offense and on special teams. Last week against the Chargers, Kirk's first NFL touch came on a punt return that looked like it was going to go the distance until Kirk tripped around the 50-yard line.

Kirk finished the game with two catches for nine yards. While he likely won't start the year as a second or third string receiver, the flashy 21-year-old could find ways to move up throughout the year.

The Cardinals also signed veteran receiver Greg Little in June. Little hasn't played an NFL snap since 2014 but will hope to perform well this preseason to make the final roster for Arizona.

Cornerbacks

The second cornerback position, on the other side of superstar Patrick Peterson, is another interesting position battle.

Jamar Taylor is listed as the current CB2 for Arizona after the Cardinals traded a 2020 sixth round pick to the Cleveland Browns. Taylor started 15 games for the Browns last season.

Behind Taylor, cornerbacks Bene Benwikere and rookie Chris Campbell are making noise. Against the Chargers, Benwikere tipped a pass that was intercepted by A.J. Howard and also forced a fumble. Campbell played 44 snaps on defense and finished with five total tackles.

As the preseason moves along, this could be a position that gets shaken up on the depth chart.

Be sure to tune into 12 News, your home for the Arizona Cardinals, at 4:30 as coverage begins from New Orleans.

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