Justin Herbert gets Mike McDaniel calling plays and Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back in front of him for the opener. I can see why there’s so much ballyhoo around the Chargers, particularly with the ultra-technician Ladd McConkey available underneath. Ten points is where I start to hesitate. Arizona comes to SoFi with Jacoby Brissett throwing to Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., enough receiving help for me to take the dog. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for this week’s NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Chargers vs. Cardinals prediction, preview
McBride alone can occupy a good part of LA’s afternoon (126 catches, 1,239 yards, 11 TDs last season). Spend extra coverage on him and Wilson, coming off 1,006 yards and seven scores, has a chance to work against somebody else. I’d keep giving Brissett those decisions on early downs, before the Chargers can get him into obvious passing situations. He threw 23 TDs against eight picks last year despite taking 43 sacks. There’s a useful offense here if Mike LaFleur can cut down those losses.
Expected to play as he works back from the ankle injury, Jeremiyah Love doesn’t have to handle every kind of carry for Arizona. I’d let Tyler Allgeier do plenty of the hammer work (eight rushing TDs last season), saving Love’s touches for chances to get him into space. Denzel Perryman is on IR for the Chargers, although Troy Dye’s seven starts last season give LA an experienced option to take his place.
Oronde Gadsden is the Charger I’d be watching closely in McDaniel’s offense (49 catches, 664 yards as a rookie). Put him beside an extra blocker and LA can show a run without giving up much as a passing team. With McConkey underneath and Quentin Johnston coming off eight TD catches, Arizona has quite a few assignments to get right after allowing 0.13 EPA/pass last season. I like Gadsden’s chances of getting downfield from those looks, unfortunately for this ticket.
Cardinals vs. Chargers pick, best bet
Slater and Alt should spare Herbert some of last year’s punishment (54 sacks), but the interior still has to come together. Tyler Biadasz’s torn ACL puts rookie Jake Slaughter at center, with left guard unsettled. I’d want Josh Sweat attacking that protection alongside Walter Nolen rather than asking the secondary to hold up all day. Sweat had 12 sacks last season. A couple of stalled LA drives would do plenty for Arizona at this number.
Brissett faces his own problem in Tuli Tuipulotu, who finished with 13 sacks, and a Chargers defense that allowed only 35.2% of third downs to be converted. That’s why I want McBride involved before third-and-long arrives. I expect LA to win, but with Allgeier handling the heavier carries and Arizona able to complete passes even while trailing, I’ll take all ten. A late TD still counts just as much on this ticket, and we know how good Brissett and McBride are at that. Imagine if Marv takes the garbage time production leap? +10 will seem like a king’s ransom.
Best bet: Cardinals +10 (-115).
Projected score: Chargers 27, Cardinals 20.
