CHARGERS (0-0) vs. CARDINALS (0-0)
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: Ch. 2; 640 AM/103.9/89.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 9.5
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: CB Deane Leonard (abdomen). QUESTIONABLE: OLB Tuli Tuipulotu (hip).
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Cardinals: OUT: OL Isaiah Adams (knee), S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ribs), CB Garrett Williams (Achilles). QUESTIONABLE: RB Jeremiyah Love (ankle).
What’s at stake: A victory for the Chargers, sparked by their offense, would put them on the right track in a season that features the ninth-toughest schedule in the NFL, based on opponents’ winning percentages from the previous year. A strong showing by quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense would validate the offseason hiring of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator and all the work he put in in an attempt to ignite what had become a stale attack in the closing days of last season.
Who’s better: The Chargers are the better team on paper, but they’ve got to prove it on the field. Week 1 matchups are often a mystery because no one has played a game and there’s no telling what was held back during preseason contests that featured mostly backups. The Chargers expect to learn as they go while facing the Cardinals under new coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. McDaniel and LaFleur know each other well, having worked together in various capacities over the years while with the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns and the Atlanta Falcons.
Matchup to watch: Of course, it won’t be a one-on-one matchup, but how well the Chargers’ ground game fares could set the tone for their season opener. Omarion Hampton will be running behind a new-look offensive line that features new faces at left guard (Kayonde Awosika), center (rookie Jake Slaughter) and right guard (Cole Strange). Pro Bowl tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are in peak form after suffering season-ending injuries last season.
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Chargers win if: In the ideal scenario, Herbert has a solid game, Hampton runs effectively, the defense contains Arizona running back Jeremiyah Love, the third overall pick in April’s NFL draft, and no one gets injured. Love was listed as questionable to play Friday, however.
Fantasy sleeper: All eyes figure to be locked onto Herbert, but who might be on the other end of his passes? If the Chargers’ preseason games were any indication, Herbert might link up with tight end Charlie Kolar in a variety of situations, including near the goal line. No doubt, Herbert has a number of options, but the tight end spot might feature more prominently than in the past.
Prediction: How do you not pick the Chargers to win? It’s likely to be tighter than the oddsmakers would have you believe. After all, a 9.5-point spread is a wide one in this era, when many games go down to the wire. The Chargers are a deeper and more talented team than the Cardinals, who aren’t expected to inflict much damage on opponents this season. Chargers 24, Cardinals 14.
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