Wilson caught seven of 13 targets for 95 yards in Sunday's 36-24 loss to the Giants.
Brissett completed 21 of 35 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions in Sunday's 36-24 loss to the Giants. He added 18 yards on four carries.
Harrison caught one of four targets for 12 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-24 loss to the Giants.
Penning (head) exited Sunday's contest against Seattle in the fourth quarter.
Love carried the ball 14 times for 63 yards and caught his only target for minus-eight yards in Sunday's 36-24 loss to the Giants.
Slater (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
McBride caught seven of 12 targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 36-24 loss to the Giants.
McConkey won't return to Sunday's contest at Seattle due to a foot injury.
Alt (neck) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks.
Alt (neck) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against Seattle.
The Cardinals should improve in 2026. (Not sure how they could be any worse.) The question is whether Arizona did enough this offseason to stand up against a capable Chargers defense with a refreshed offense under Mike McDaniel. I do believe Los Angeles is a bit overrated entering the season – the hype around McDaniel and Justin Herbert (aided by Jim Harbaugh) is somewhat silly – but Herbert finally has a healthy offensive line, and both Harbaugh and McDaniel are known for their Week 1 success. I was originally all-in with the Cardinals +10.5, but with the line coming down two full points, I’m going to fade the sharps and take the Chargers to win by 10.
The Cardinals know what they have here in rookie RB Jeremiyah Love and I firmly believe they'll ease him into the offense as he recovers from a lower body injury. Love has big play potential every time he touches the rock but how often will he get it in his debut? I'll bank on a managed approach in a negative potential game state Week 1.
I've made it pretty clear that I think the stock is too low on Marvin Harrison. He gets a solid situation this week with a likely negative game script and I expect him to get plenty of targets (he did just fine in the target share department last year when he was on the field with Wilson and McBride). The Chargers defense is by no means a lockdown unit and I think Brissett will be able to find all three of his favorite targets, with an extra emphasis on getting Harrison extra looks early in the season and that begins this Sunday.
It looks like Keaton Mitchell is going to play after missing some time and that may cut into Omarion Hampton's workload, but Hampton will be the featured RB in what should be a great situation and game script. The Chargers are expected to play from ahead during most of this game and Hampton gets a relatively healthy offensive line and a bad Arizona rush defense. Look for a vanilla gameplan from Mike McDaniel and 15-17 rushing attempts en route to an over on rushing yards.
The Cardinals No. 3 overall pick, Jeremiyah Love, makes his NFL debut at the Los Angeles Chargers where the Cardinals went from a 10.5-point underdog in the opening line to 9. I'm expecting his rushing and receiving yards to be over the expected total. The question on Love coming into this game was how much he would play, and head coach Mike LaFleur said there will be no limits placed on him. He experienced a high ankle sprain in his first preseason game last month. He's been limited in practice, and now he's ready to go in his first regular-season game. He will not be on a snap count. Over the total rushing and receiving.
It's tough to envision a game script where the Cardinals get pressure on Herbert. It's even harder to envision Herbert scrambling out of the pocket, particularly when the Cardinals pass rush isn't considered dangerous and the Chargers offensive line is the healthiest its been in over a year. Almost ALL of Herbert's 498 rush yards last year came on scrambles, and about half of his rushing yards came on scrambles when pressured. I doubt the Chargers have the motivation to put their quarterback in harm's way, particularly in what should be a decisive win.
I’m buying the Los Angeles offense with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, the former Dolphins coach. I believe QB Justin Herbert has a monster season and they get a layup in Week 1 with arguably the worst defense in the NFL. Arizona will have its moments with new coach Mike LaFleur but I expect them to be a frequent Over line special in 2026. Their offense will be interesting and their defense an embarrassment. Chargers 37, Cardinals 21.
This line drifted down all offseason, finally getting under double digits this week. Jacoby Brissett isn't an elite quarterback, but he's got plenty of experience and has a trio of good pass catchers at his disposal with Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson. Even if Jeremiyah Love isn't able to go -- and I think he will -- he'll be splitting carries with Tyler Allegier, a capable back in his own right. Defensively, I don't have a ton of hope for the Cards this season, but we might get some adjustment from the Chargers on that side of the ball as well, presenting an opportunity for Arizona to put up points and keep this within a touchdown... or better.
Similar to my Aaron Rodgers write-up, throw out last year for Ladd McConkey. Because offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is now in town for the Chargers, we expect creative offensive schemes to make McConkey more of a focal point. Add to that, they are facing one of the worst defenses in the NFL heading into the 2026 season in the Cardinals. I look for McConkey to feast and will likely ladder his receiving prop up to 70+ receiving yards for plus money.
Half unit. The Cardinals enter the season with a lot of issues. One is the lack of talent and depth in the secondary. Slot receivers should eat Arizona alive this season and Ladd McConkey is priced a little low in Week 1. There is always the fear of Los Angeles getting a big early lead and shutting it down, although considering these guys no longer get much action in the preseason, I expect Jim Harbaugh to keep his foot on the gas a little longer. Play up to 53.5.
Big things are expected from the Chargers in 2026, but while they have both tackles healthy, there are major questions about the interior of the offensive line. Even if the Cardinals don't expose those issues, they have more than enough firepower on offense to put up points on a unit that just lost DC Jesse Minter or at worst have a chance to backdoor the cover. If the Arizona defense is any better than it was last year, the team might be live for an outright upset, which would deal a major blow to survivor pools. Take the points here.
