What the Cardinals-Chargers Opener Says About Two Teams in Transition
Arizona’s Week 1 visit to the Chargers brings new coaches onto both sidelines and puts a veteran quarterback behind a reshuffled offensive line. Here is what to know about the kickoff, the viewing options, the betting line and the matchups likely to decide the game.
The spotlight lands on two men named Mike
The game pits Mike LaFleur, coaching his first game as Arizona’s head coach, against Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is debuting in that role. The Los Angeles Times described the matchup as the “Mike” drop of Week 1. Names aside, the game is a test of two new systems.
Arizona also has a new starting quarterback. Jacoby Brissett replaces Kyler Murray, who is now with Minnesota. Brissett is an 11-year veteran on his sixth franchise—seventh if you count two separate stints in New England. It will be the fourth time in his career that he has started a season opener.
The Cardinals’ offensive line needs to hold together
Brissett will be working behind a line in transition. According to the Arizona Cardinals, Jake Slaughter, drafted as a guard, moves to center after Tyler Biadasz suffered an ACL injury in mid-August. Left guard Kayode Awosika is listed as the projected starter, but his Pro Football Focus grade was 57.9 last season. The group is still taking shape.
The Chargers have their own injury concerns. Cornerback Deane Leonard is out with an abdomen injury, and defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu is questionable with a hip issue. Arizona will be without safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, cornerback Garrett Williams and guard Isisah Adams; running back Jeremiyah Love is questionable.
One intriguing question is an Arizona outside linebacker who was activated off the injured list nearly three weeks ago. LaFleur says he is on target to play, but no one has seen him in 11-on-11 drills since Week 18 of last season. His snap count could be a storyline.
How to watch, stream and listen
The game kicks off at 1:25 p.m. at SoFi Stadium. In Southern California it airs on CBS and Paramount+. National viewers can watch through NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. The Spanish-language radio call is on 103.9 FM, with the main radio broadcast on 640 AM.
What Week 1 will actually reveal
The betting market expects a comfortable Chargers win: Los Angeles is favored by 9½ points, the biggest spread of the week. Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times predicts a 27-20 Chargers victory.
Week 1 rarely settles a season, but it does reveal how quickly new pieces fit. Arizona is asking a first-time head coach and a veteran backup quarterback to keep the offense stable while the line changes shape. The Chargers are trying to make a coordinator change look seamless from game one. The score matters, but the film will say more.