Arizona @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2018 ) Arizona 20, New Orleans 15

The New Orleans Saints have won all five games with backup Teddy Bridgewater as a starter, but they have a decision to make with 12-time Pro Bowler Drew Brees close to returning to the lineup. Brees told reporters he feels ready to play this week against the resurgent Arizona Cardinals, but Saints coach Sean Payton said he may wait until Sunday to make the decision.

Brees, who underwent surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament on his throwing hand sustained in Week 2, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday and expressed confidence he can play. "He's been putting in overtime getting ready and getting his game mode on," Saints left tackle Terron Armstead. "He looked sharp, he looked good. His communication is right back where he left off." The Cardinals have rebounded from an 0-3-1 start by winning three straight behind rookie quarterback Kyler Murray, the top overall pick in this year's draft. “I think the game’s slowing down for him each week,” Arizona first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury said of Murray. “This will be our toughest test to date going on the road against this defense, and I'm excited to see how he responds.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Saints -10. O/U: 48

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (3-3-1): Arizona has an injury concern of its own with running back David Johnson, who did not practice Wednesday and Thursday after logging only one carry Sunday, but backup Chase Edmonds carved up the New York Giants for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Murray threw for a season-low 104 yards against the Giants but he had three touchdown passes against Atlanta in Week 6 and is always a threat with his legs, rushing for 266 yards. “This guy is unique,” Payton said. “He is hard to pin down. He has an extremely talented arm. He can get the ball down the field." The Cardinals have a formidable pass rush, ranking third with 22.0 sacks.

ABOUT THE SAINTS (6-1): With a bye following this week's matchup, Payton could elect to play it safe with Brees and stick with Bridgewater, who has put up somewhat modest numbers but has nine touchdown passes against only two interceptions. New Orleans also could get a boost with the expected return of top running back Alvin Kamara, who has rushed for 373 yards and is second on the team with 33 receptions despite missing last week's 36-25 victory at Chicago. Whoever starts at quarterback will be targeting wideout Michael Thomas, who leads the league in both receptions (62) and yards (763). The Saints' defense ranks sixth overall, permitting an average of 327.9 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Thomas has at least nine receptions and 95 yards receiving in his last three at home.

2. Cardinals LB Chandler Jones is third in the league in sacks (8.5) after recording 4.0 last week.

3. Kamara has scored seven touchdowns in four games against NFC West opponents.

PREDICTION: Saints 23, Cardinals 16