Chargers vs. Cardinals: Reasons why Los Angeles should win in Week 7

Los Angeles heads to Arizona following a big divisional win over the Broncos in Week 6 as a team with building momentum despite mounting injuries. The Cardinals have looked like an exciting team at times, but have struggled against non-NFC West opponents.

Here’s a few reasons to be optimistic about the Chargers’ chances on Monday Night Football.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

LA came out firing against Denver, throwing on 11 of their first 14 plays after Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II left the contest on the first play with a concussion. Justin Herbert set season highs in completions (21) and yards (237) as a result in a 23-16 win, an encouraging sign for the Chargers offense.

With another week between Herbert (ankle), left tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral), and right tackle Joe Alt (ankle) and their respective injuries, the Chargers should be able to continue rounding into form as a more balanced offense with Herbert at the helm. The potential return of wide receiver DJ Chark (groin) from injured reserve this week would also help LA get to what the offseason vision of this offense looked like.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The Cardinals struggle to stop the run, ranking 23rd in expected points added (EPA)/rush allowed and 26th in rushing success rate allowed. Los Angeles has shown time and time again that they can and will lean on the run game if it’s working, as JK Dobbins has gone over 100 yards twice and narrowly missed the mark last week against Denver.

The Chargers’ rushing attack also drastically improved with Slater and Alt back in the lineup, as Los Angeles put up 128 yards on the ground against a Broncos unit that entered the week as a top ten rushing defense. With a much softer matchup on paper on Monday, LA may be able to cause a few fireworks on the ground in primetime.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Arizona is 26th in the league in sack percentage this season and has generated just 79 pressures in 6 games, per Pro Football Focus. (For comparison, a Chargers pass rush unit that many have been disappointed by has generated 86 pressures in 5 games.)

The Cardinals’ leader in pressures is interior rusher LJ Collier with 13, followed by edge rusher Dennis Gardeck at 10. The two of them are the only ones with double-digit pressures, but still rank 103rd and 87th in PFF’s pass rush win% metric. As Herbert continues to get healthier after his high ankle sprain in Week 2, his pocket management should reach a level where even those snaps don’t result in sacks. Combined with the development of the passing offense, it will give the Chargers an advantage on Monday.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Chargers have the top scoring defense in the league, allowing just 13.2 points per game after holding the Broncos to 16 last week. After two explosive performances in their first two games, Arizona has scored 14 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4 games, including last week in a 34-13 loss to Green Bay.

Los Angeles is also the no. 1 defense against the run on an EPA/rush basis and no. 2 by rushing success rate allowed. Those numbers “drop” to fourth in EPA/pass allowed and seventh in passing success rate allowed. Put it all together, and the Chargers are the third-best defense in the NFL on an EPA/play basis. That should be more than enough to limit a struggling Cardinals offense.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Despite what feels like a CVS receipt-length injury report for the Chargers, Arizona actually has one more player on Thursday’s injury report than Los Angeles. That includes starting right tackle Kelvin Beachum, starting left guard Evan Brown, wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, nose tackle Roy Lopez, cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Garrett Williams, and linebacker Kyzir White.

Not all of those players will necessarily miss Monday’s contest – only Beachum was a DNP on Thursday and Harrison seems like he will pass concussion protocol in time for the game – but Arizona will still be banged up to a significant degree. That works in the Chargers’ favor considering Los Angeles will also be working without a full week of practice from multiple contributors.

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy