Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers Picks and Prediction for Sunday September 13 2026

The Arizona Cardinals travel to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, September 13, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 PM ET. This is one of the largest spreads on the Week 1 board, with Los Angeles currently favored by 10.5 points and the total sitting at 46.5. The number reflects two teams entering 2026 in very different positions: Los Angeles has an established franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert and playoff expectations, while Arizona is beginning a new chapter at quarterback and dealing with questions in its backfield. With the NFL season just kicking off it is a great time to find the best free NFL picks.

Arizona Begins a New Era at Quarterback

The Cardinals entered training camp with Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew II, Carson Beck and Kedon Slovis in the quarterback room after moving on from Kyler Murray. Arizona subsequently reworked Brissett's contract while he was viewed as the projected starter, making him the quarterback to build the Week 1 handicap around unless the Cardinals announce otherwise before kickoff.

That distinction is important because I'm not going to label Brissett the officially announced Week 1 starter before Arizona does. He does, however, provide considerable NFL experience and should give the Cardinals a chance to operate a controlled offense rather than forcing a young quarterback immediately into a difficult road matchup.

Arizona's backfield is another major issue. Veteran James Conner was limited to only 32 carries for 95 yards during an injury-shortened 2025 season, and rookie Jeremiyah Love has been dealing with an ankle injury entering Week 1. Love's status is particularly important because Arizona selected him third overall with the expectation that he would become a major part of the offense.

The Cardinals still have weapons in the passing game, including Trey McBride and Michael Wilson. Arizona recently extended Wilson through 2029, another indication that the organization sees him as an important piece of the offense going forward. The challenge is putting enough sustained drives together to prevent Herbert and the Chargers from repeatedly operating with favorable field position.

Justin Herbert Gives Los Angeles a Significant Quarterback Edge

Justin Herbert enters his seventh NFL season after carrying a substantial offensive burden in 2025. Herbert completed 340 of 512 passes for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while producing a 94.1 passer rating. He also rushed for 498 yards, demonstrating again that his athleticism adds another dimension when protection breaks down.

Those numbers become even more impressive considering Herbert dealt with a fractured left hand and inconsistent offensive-line protection. The Chargers' own roster review described Herbert's 2025 performance as instrumental in getting Los Angeles into the playoffs despite those circumstances.

Herbert also has multiple established receiving options. Ladd McConkey led Los Angeles with 789 receiving yards last season, while Keenan Allen finished with 777 and Quentin Johnston produced 735 yards and eight touchdowns. Oronde Gadsden II added 664 yards. That gives Los Angeles several ways to attack an Arizona defense that cannot simply concentrate on one target.

The Chargers were also productive on the ground despite injuries. Kimani Vidal rushed for 643 yards, Omarion Hampton added 545 and Herbert contributed another 498. Defensively, Tuli Tuipulotu recorded 13 sacks, while Derwin James remained a major factor with 94 tackles and three interceptions. This is a roster with advantages on both sides of the football.

Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers Picks and Prediction

Pick: Los Angeles Chargers -10.5

Double-digit NFL spreads always deserve caution, particularly in Week 1, but Los Angeles is still the preferred side. Herbert provides an enormous advantage over an Arizona offense transitioning away from Murray, while the Cardinals enter with uncertainty surrounding both Conner and Love. The Chargers have multiple established receiving weapons and a defense capable of generating pressure. Arizona's best chance to cover is to slow the game down and avoid turnovers, but if the Cardinals fall behind early, their offensive situation becomes considerably more problematic. Los Angeles has enough advantages to win this by two touchdowns.

Pick: Under 46.5

The Under 46.5 pairs well with the Chargers spread. Los Angeles could control this matchup without needing to score into the mid-30s, while Arizona's quarterback transition and backfield questions make it difficult to project a large offensive output from the Cardinals. A result around 27-13 or 30-13 would produce a comfortable Chargers cover while remaining below the total. Take Under 46.5.

Final Picks: Los Angeles Chargers -10.5 and Under 46.5