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Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals have gotten back to winning ways in DeAndre Hopkins' return.
The star wide receiver made his return from a six-game ban for a failed PED test. In what was a high-scoring game, the Cardinals, at home, got back in the winners' circle.
Saints quarterback Andy Dalton threw back-to-back pick-6s before half-time, which ultimately was the difference in the 42-34 game.
After scoring only nine points last week against the Seahawks, Kyler Murray and the offense put up a 40-burger on what we thought was a stout Saints defense.
The win now moves the Cardinals to 3-4, while the Saints drop to 2-5 on the season.
Hopkins runs riot in Cardinals win over Saints
DeAndre Hopkins wasn't "eased" back into the NFL scene. The star receiver caught 10 passes for 103 yards as he accounted for half of Murray's total passing yardage.
With Arizona struggling of late, his addition added another dimension to Kliff Kingsbury's offense.
Despite his return, the game was flipped on its head with a little over three minutes to go in the first-half. Andy Dalton threw back-to-back pick-6s as Arizona scored a whopping 25 points in the second quarter alone.
Dalton and the Saints did make it a game somewhat, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter, but it was all for nothing.
While Dalton's stats of 361 passing yards and four touchdowns look good, his three interceptions (two pick-sixes) take some of the gloss off it. Rookie Chris Olave has built up quite the connection with Dalton.
He caught seven passes for 106 yards, while Kevin White (1 rec, 64 yards), Alvin Kamara (7 rec, 56 yards), and Tre'Quan Smith (5 rec for 59 yards) all did their best to bring the Saints close.
For Arizona, getting Hopkins back clearly made a difference, but it was tough sledding at times in the second half. They did manage to score a further two touchdowns, but the Saints outscored them.
Given what types of games we have seen on Prime Time of late, especially on Amazon, Thursday night's game was rather refreshing.
A combined total of 76 points, seven touchdowns and only six punts. Perhaps Amazon will not be asking for a refund after all.
