Glendale, AZ -- (Sports Network) - Drew Brees led the Saints to an opening scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown strike to David Patten and Robert Meachem had 129 yards receiving and a touchdown, as New Orleans took the preseason opener for both teams, 24-10, over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Each of the Saints' quarterbacks fared well under center. Mark Brunell took over for Brees and led a scoring drive while completing 10-of-12 passes for 119 yards. Tyler Palko spelled Brunell and threw for 144 yards and a touchdown on 6-of-11 passing. Reggie Bush gained 22 yards in limited action while Aaron Stecker had a touchdown on 39 yards rushing for New Orleans (1-0).

An update to the tale of two quarterbacks will have to wait for Arizona (0-1). Matt Leinart was at the helm for the opening two series for Arizona, connecting on 7-of-8 passes for 91 yards while Kurt Warner remained on the sideline throughout. Much fanfare has been made as to who should quarterback the team in 2008.

Brian St. Pierre saw most of the action at quarterback, throwing for 84 yards on 12-of-18 attempts. Tim Hightower was the only Cardinals player to find the end zone on 23 yards rushing. Steve Breaston topped the receiving corps with three catches for 50 yards.

The Saints marched the ball down the field, finishing off a 13-play, 80-yard opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown from Brees to Patten. Brees, who was 6-of-7 for 40 yards, exited the game after the drive.

Leinart then led the Cardinals on an eight-play, 67-yard drive starting with 1:03 to play in the first, that Hightower finished off by scooting around the right side for a one-yard touchdown run.

Neil Rackers added a 30-yard field goal with 6:38 left to play in the half and Arizona took a 10-7 lead into the third stanza.

New Orleans opened the third quarter with an impressive Brunell-led 12-play, 76-yard drive culminating in a Stecker one-yard touchdown run. Brunell finished the drive 3-of-3 for 29 yards.

Taylor Mehlhaff booted a 33-yard field goal in the final minutes of the third to give the Saints a 17-10 lead heading to the fourth.

New Orleans extended the lead when Palko tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Meachem with 10:36 remaining in the game. Meachem reversed course on a short crossing route and took the ball up the left sideline, dodging several would- be tacklers.

Arizona ended each of its six second-half drives with punts.

Game Notes

The game marked the first time the Saints and the Cardinals have faced each other in an exhibition since New Orleans' 33-28 victory at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on August 12, 1988, when Phoenix debuted in their new home after the franchise relocated from St. Louis...The two teams have met just three times during preseason play with the Saints claiming all three victories...Arizona announced that the following players were ruled out for the game: receivers Anquan Boldin and Early Doucet, nose tackle Gabe Watson and linebacker Monty Beisel...Likewise, the Saints announced that several players will be held out of Thursday's matchup including: running back Deuce McAllister, cornerbacks Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter, safety Josh Bullocks, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, wide receivers Marques Colston and Devery Henderson, tight end Jeremy Shockey, and defensive tackle Brian Young.