Cardinals vs Chargers Prediction 9/13/2026 Today’s NFL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Chargers prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 13th at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 1 matchup.

Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview

The Arizona Cardinals went 3-14 last season and they finished fourth in the NFC West standings, 11 games behind the Seahawks. Arizona started the season with two wins over the Saints and Panthers, but it was all downhill after that point. The Cardinals lost 14 of their last 15 games, with their one win coming against the Cowboys. Arizona really struggled defensively last year, as they allowed 37+ points in four of their last five games. The Cardinals scored 20.9 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 28.7 points against per game on defense.

In the preseason, Arizona went 1-3, which was third in the NFC West. The Cardinals lost to the Panthers by a score of 33-30, defeated the Raiders 27-14, lost to the Cowboys 34-13, and lost to the Packers 42-38 in their four games. Arizona will have Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback with Jeremiyah Love at running back and Trey McBride at tight end, who is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. 

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Chargers were 11-6 last year and they finished second in the AFC West, three games behind Denver in first. Los Angeles opened the season with a 27-21 win over Kansas City and followed that up with a 20-9 win over the Raiders in week two. The Chargers were 4-3 through seven games, but they finished the season by going 7-3 in their last 10. Los Angeles did make the playoffs, but they lost to the Patriots by a score of 16-3 in their first game. The Chargers scored just 22 points in their last three games, as the offense really let them down. LA scored 21.6 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 20.0 points against per game on defense. 

In the preseason, Los Angeles went 1-2, which was tied for second in the AFC West. The Chargers defeated the Texans by a score of 27-7, lost to the 49ers by a score of 41-17, and lost to the Rams by a score of 20-18 in their three games. LA will have Justin Herbert at QB with Omarion Hampton at running back and Ladd McConkey as the #1 receiver. 

Why the Los Angeles Chargers will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last 10 games played on the West Coast.
• The Chargers have won nine of their last 10 home games against NFC West opponents.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games played as underdogs on the West Coast.
• The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Cardinals’ last five games.
• The favorites have won the first half in five of the Cardinals’ last six games.
• The Cardinals have lost the first quarter in three of their last four road games against AFC West opponents.

Why the Arizona Cardinals will win

• The Chargers have lost each of their last five games without Justin Herbert.
• The underdogs have won four of the Chargers’ last six games.
• The Cardinals have covered the spread in each of their last seven road openers.
• The Chargers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games without Justin Herbert.
• The underdogs have won the first quarter in four of the Chargers’ last six Week 1 games.
• The Chargers have lost the first half in five of their last six season openers against NFC opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of the Cardinals’ last 11 September games as road underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Chargers’ last five September games as favorites have gone UNDER the total points line.

Los Angeles Chargers Player Prop Facts

• Ladd McConkey has scored at least one touchdown in four of the Chargers’ last five home games against NFC opponents.
• Justin Herbert has recorded 37+ rushing yards in four of his last five appearances.
• Justin Herbert has recorded 21+ completions in each of the Chargers’ last four games as favorites against NFC West opponents.
• Kimani Vidal has recorded 10+ receiving yards in each of his last five appearances at SoFi Stadium.
• Kimani Vidal has recorded 104+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last four appearances at SoFi Stadium.
• Omarion Hampton ranked 1st in the AFC amongst qualified players for catch rate (91.4%) last season.

Arizona Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Trey McBride has scored at least one touchdown in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight road games.
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 27+ completions in three of the Cardinals’ last four games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 243+ passing yards in each of the Cardinals’ last four road games as heavy underdogs (>+7.0 points).
• Jacoby Brissett has recorded 11+ rushing yards in four of his last five September appearances against AFC opponents.
• James Conner has recorded 20+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances with his team as an underdog against AFC West opponents.
• Kendrick Bourne has recorded 29+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last four September appearances with his team as an underdog.
• Jacoby Brissett recorded the most pass attempts in a single game last season (57 vs 49ers, Week 11).

Matchup/League Facts

• Chargers – two different players recorded 90+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• Chargers – two different players recorded 100+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• The Cardinals were the only team to give up multiple 10+ point 1st quarter led to have lost last season.
• The Cardinals suffered the most losses by a margin of five points or less last season (7).

Cardinals vs Chargers Prediction 

Arizona comes into this matchup looking to start the season on the right foot, as they were terrible in 2025. The Cardinals have Brissett at quarterback, which isn’t great, but they do have some solid skill position players. Los Angeles should have another very strong defense and we know Herbert can be elite when given time. The Chargers are the much better team in this game, but this is a huge spread for week one, especially with the skill position players for the Cardinals. Take Arizona and the points.

David Racey's Pick: Cardinals +9.5