Below, bettors can find NFL odds and a Chargers vs Cardinals prediction for their Week 1 game.
Only one movement has occurred since the market opened. Despite qualifying as the largest underdog on the board, Arizona’s moneyline shrunk from +475 at open to +425.
Chargers vs Cardinals Odds: Spread, Moneyline & Over/Under
Cardinals vs Chargers Prediction
Based on Arizona’s success early last year as a sizable underdog and the Chargers’ struggles against tight ends, my Chargers vs Cardinals prediction is the Cardinals Spread (+10.5, -110).
It’s my perspective that the market is misreading the current version of Arizona. Bettors should take Arizona’s nine straight losses last year with a grain of salt.
The Cardinals finished as the most injured team in the NFL, per FTN Fantasy. At 51.7 adjusted games lost to defensive backs, the unit led the league.
Any team would struggle to cope with those injuries. Unique to Arizona is that they faced virtually nothing but strong passing attacks coming down to stretch.
Pre-bye week, the Cardinals proved a pesky underdog at lofty spreads. In Week 6, Jacoby Brissett led Arizona to a cover as 9.5-point underdogs against the Colts.
The following week, Arizona closed as a seven-point home underdog against Green Bay. The offense scored 23 points en route to a cover.
Plus, Brissett should lead an offense that enjoys success via Trey McBride. Last season, the Chargers defense struggled to contain opposing tight ends.
Los Angeles ranked 25th in DVOA against the position group. They sat just above the Colts in defensive rating against tight ends, a group Arizona’s offense exposed.
Los Angeles simultaneously struggled to defend the run last season. Then-DC Jesse Minter’s unit ranked 18th in rush defense DVOA and could struggle against Jeremiyah Love.
Arizona ranked 28th in the corresponding offensive category last year, but experienced loads of injuries along the offensive line.
Only the Chargers and Tampa Bay suffered more adjusted games lost along the offensive line. In the offseason, Arizona bolstered its line via Isaac Seumalo, a top blocker from Pittsburgh.
Last year, he finished fourth in ESPN’s run-block win rate. He’ll join another effective run blocker: left tackle Paris Johnson.
Those factors lead me to predict Arizona stays within the number against a popular Chargers team.
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