Arizona's post-Kyler Murray era kicks off in the least forgiving spot possible: a Week 1 road trip against a Chargers team that's made back-to-back playoffs under Jim Harbaugh.
Bush’s PicksPicks madeJul 7, 1:04 PM CT
+394ARILAC-509
-113ARI +10.5LAC -10.5+100
-101Over 46.5Under 46.5-117
Best BetChargers -509
The Chargers were originally backed here at -509, and nothing about the offseason makes that number look wrong — Los Angeles returns a playoff roster and a quarterback getting a scheme upgrade, while Arizona is sorting out a contract dispute at the position. This is a lay-the-chalk spot, not a value hunt.
Cardinals
+Trey McBride still anchors a talented TE room
+No. 3 pick Jeremiyah Love adds a playmaker
+Harrison Jr. trending toward full health
−Lost final 5 games of 2025, often by blowout
−Brissett-Cardinals contract talks reportedly far apart
−James Conner (foot) limited through offseason work
Chargers
+Back-to-back playoff berths under Jim Harbaugh
+Derwin James locked up on a fresh extension
+Herbert buying into new OC Mike McDaniel's plan
−Dropped 3 of last 5, including playoff exit
−McConkey (hamstring) working through an issue
−Both starting tackles (Slater, Alt) still recovering
This one's built around two very different quarterback pictures. Jacoby Brissett is Arizona's presumptive starter after the Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray, but he and the team have reportedly been "significantly" far apart on a new contract, and Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck are both in the mix if that doesn't get resolved. On the other side, Justin Herbert spent the offseason reworking his footwork under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who's openly talking about getting Herbert to "own the position" in a way he never has.
Arizona's skill-position pieces have real name value even in a lost season — Trey McBride anchors the tight end room and Marvin Harrison Jr. says he's trending toward full health after an injury-plagued rookie year — but the offensive line and backfield situation is murkier, with James Conner (foot) limited through offseason work. The Chargers have their own maintenance list: Ladd McConkey is nursing a hamstring strain and both starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, are working back from knee and ankle issues, though both say they expect to be ready for camp. None of that has moved the market much — Los Angeles opened as a heavy favorite and stayed there.
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ARI Cardinals
LAC Chargers
Zoom out and the gap between these two rosters is stark. Arizona used the No. 3 overall pick on Jeremiyah Love to try to jump-start the offense, but that's a bet on the future, not Week 1. The Chargers, meanwhile, are coming off an 11-6 season and a second straight playoff berth, even if it ended with a 16-3 wild-card exit in New England. This is a proving-ground game for the Cardinals and a statement opener for a Chargers team with real expectations.
Arizona Cardinals
Aug 28?@ Packers—
Aug 22?vs Cowboys—
Aug 13?@ Raiders—
Aug 6?vs Panthers—
Los Angeles Chargers
Aug 27?vs Rams—
Aug 20?vs 49ers—
Aug 13?@ Texans—
Recent form.
The form gap tells the story before you even get to injuries. Arizona lost its final 5 games of 2025 by a combined margin that included a 45-17 blowout to the Rams and a 40-20 loss to Houston — this isn't a team that was competitive down the stretch, it's one that got run off the field. The Chargers split their last 5, closing with back-to-back losses including that playoff exit, but they were still a fringe AFC West contender all year under Harbaugh.
Arizona Cardinals
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
Los Angeles Chargers
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
Injury report — info via ESPN.
Derwin James signing a three-year extension is a reminder of the calendar on this Chargers roster — this is a team trying to win now, not rebuild. Arizona is doing the opposite: auditioning a new quarterback room, a No. 3 overall pick, and a defense still trying to figure out who's healthy up front. That's exactly the kind of mismatch that shows up in a home-opener setting.
