Arizona Cardinals (0-0) vs. LA Chargers (0-0) September 13, 2026 4:25 pm EDT The Line: LA Chargers -9.5; Over/Under: 47.5 (Get latest betting odds)
The Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers meet in week 1 NFL action from SoFi Stadium on Sunday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers prediction.
The Arizona Cardinals enter the 2026 season turning the page under new head coach Mike LaFleur after a disappointing 3-14 campaign in 2025 that led to the firing of Jonathan Gannon. In 2025, tight end Trey McBride paced the offense with an NFL tight-end record 126 receptions, Marvin Harrison Jr. led the receiving group in yards, and safety Budda Baker anchored the defense, while quarterback Kyler Murray missed significant time with injuries. During the 2026 offseason, general manager Monti Ossenfort aggressively re-tooled the roster by signing guard Isaac Seumalo and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, bringing in running back Tyler Allgeier, and adding backup quarterback Gardner Minshew II. With LaFleur taking over the offense and an upgraded supporting cast around Murray and McBride, the Cardinals head into 2026 looking to reset their culture and push back into competitiveness in the NFC West.
The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2026 season seeking to build on a promising 11-6 campaign in year two under head coach Jim Harbaugh that earned them a wildcard berth. In 2025, quarterback Justin Herbert anchored the offense with 3,727 passing yards, targeting wide receiver Ladd McConkey while running back Kimani Vidal paced the ground attack with 643 rushing yards, and defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu spearheaded a stout defense with a team-leading 13 sacks alongside veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack. During the 2026 offseason, general manager Joe Hortiz aggressively upgraded the roster by signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz, tight end David Njoku, and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, while retaining key core leaders by re-signing Mack and safety Derwin James Jr. In the draft, Los Angeles bolstered its defensive front and playmaking speed by selecting Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round, Florida interior lineman Jake Slaughter in the second round, and Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson in the fourth round. Backed by a reinforced offensive line, a deeper defensive rotation, and elite star power in Herbert and James, the Chargers head into 2026 primed to contend for the AFC West title and make a deep playoff run.
I’m on the Chargers here. A lot of times there can be upsets in week 1 so I always am weary of heavy favorites, but I think the Cardinals could easily go 2-15 this season and winless into their bye week in week 14 that’s how tough their schedule is and how overmatched the Cardinals are in a lot of these games. I think that this is just a bad spot for Arizona on the road in week 1 so give me the Chargers.