Cardinals vs Chargers predictions, graded
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers · Week 1, 2026 · Sun, Sep 13 · Final: Cardinals 26, Chargers 14 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Cardinals vs Chargers? Of 17 pundits with a call on record, all 17 take the Chargers. 5 named a score; the median has the Chargers by 17. The Cardinals won 26-14, so 0 of 17 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 10 out of 100.
Who the room took
17 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callCardinals vs Chargers picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- Sports Illustratedall 9 Chargers
- CBS Sportsall 3 Chargers
The other 5 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 5 Chargers.
Cardinals vs Chargers score predictions
5 pundits named a score; the median call is Chargers by 17, and the final was Cardinals by 12.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Chris RolingChargers 30, Cardinals 10Miss · 31
- Shanna McCarristonChargers 27, Cardinals 17Close · 45
- Mike FlorioChargers 27, Cardinals 10Miss · 38
- Pete PriscoChargers 31, Cardinals 14Miss · 38
- John BreechChargers 31, Cardinals 21Close · 45
Cardinals at Chargers: how they came in
The Cardinals went 3-14 last season and the Chargers went 11-6 last season. On win totals, 8 pundits put the Cardinals at 4.8 wins on average, and 13 pundits put the Chargers at 8.1 wins on average.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 26th, defense 30th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 3-14
- Win-total calls
- 8 pundits · average 4.8 · 1 to 9 wins
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 32nd, defense 26th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 11-6
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 8.1 · 2 to 12 wins
Cardinals and Chargers players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Cardinals
- Gardner MinshewStarting QB · QB
354 passing yards · 3 TD, 0 INT · 71.7% completions · 2 games · 41st in the NFL in passing yards
Gardner Minshew to be 1st on the depth chart
“It would be incredibly tough to turn back to Brissett after today's performance.” the article →
Gardner Minshew to stay put
“the likelihood of them keeping Minshew around as a No. 3 option decreases” the article →
- Tyler AllgeierRB1 · RB
369 rushing yards on 89 carries · 3 TD · 23 catches for 128 · 9 games · 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
Tyler Allgeier to be 1st on the depth chart
“My unofficial prediction is Love will play but Tyler Allgeier mostly handles duties as the Cardinals ease Love back into the mix.” the article →
Tyler Allgeier to finish top 49 at his position, by fantasy points
“I've got Tyler Algier at RB49.” the article →
- Michael WilsonWR1 · WR
51 catches for 546 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 18th in the NFL in receiving yards
Michael Wilson to be 1st on the depth chart
“Wilson is just entering his prime and could potentially become a No.1 receiver.” the article →
Michael Wilson to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Michael Wilson is the clear number two option in the Arizona passing attack as the WR21 in fantasy points per game.” the article →
- Trey McBrideTE1 · TE
73 catches for 598 yards · 5 TD · 9 games · 16th in the NFL in receiving yards
Trey McBride to fall short of his draft cost (a top-20 ADP)
“Trey McBride has a top-20 ADP... his target volume and touchdown total are both strong candidates to regress. He may still play well without delivering the type of production needed to justify selecting him in the middle of the second round.” the article →
Trey McBride to fall short of his draft cost (the second round of non-TE Premium drafts)
“they are why I would suggest he is not someone I would pull the trigger on in the second round of non-TE Premium drafts... Even with McBride having the best odds to run the most routes again, I am not drafting him at his current cost” the article →
- Budda BakerSack leader · Tackle leader · S
3.5 sacks · 29 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games · 42nd in the NFL in sacks · 56th in the NFL in solo tackles
Budda Baker to move — “next on the trade block”
“Safety Budda Baker ... More than anything, this would be a move to place Baker at the forefront of competing on a playoff team” the article →
Budda Baker to move to Buffalo Bills
“there is an obvious upgrade potentially sitting on the trade market in Cardinals safety Budda Baker” the article →
Chargers
- Justin HerbertStarting QB · QB
1,591 passing yards · 6 TD, 11 INT · 61.3% completions · 190 rushing yards · 8 games · 21st in the NFL in passing yards
Justin Herbert to stay with Los Angeles Chargers
“Of all the players on this list, Herbert is the player with the best chance of a trade. That would require Herbert to agree to waive his no-trade clause.” the article →
Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round)
“Justin Herbert has an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round... the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could help unlock the sort of big passing numbers that Herbert produced in his first three seasons.” the article →
- Omarion HamptonRB1 · RB
369 rushing yards on 102 carries · 3 TD · 11 catches for 63 · 8 games · 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Mitchell is No. 2 in the pecking order behind starter Omarion Hampton, and Vidal is No. 3” the article →
Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Hampton should be a rock-solid RB1 with massive upside in 2026.” the article →
- Ladd McConkeyWR1 · WR
17 catches for 286 yards · 1 TD · 6 games · 76th in the NFL in receiving yards
Ladd McConkey to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Trade 1 Steelers receive: Ladd McConkey, 2027 fifth-round pick Chargers receive: Roman Wilson, 2027 second-round pick” the article →
“McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2)” the article →
- Oronde Gadsden IITE1 · TE
19 catches for 172 yards · 1 TD · 8 games · 135th in the NFL in receiving yards
Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20)
“I'll be avoiding Oronde Gadsden in drafts this season... Gadsden looks like he's locked in a tight end committee for 2026, which is something I don't have any interest in dealing with for fantasy purposes.” the article →
Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart
“I would drop Ronde. I think he's gonna be tight end three in that rotation, man.” the article →
- Tuli TuipulotuSack leader · LB
3 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 51st in the NFL in sacks
Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip”
“Khalil Mack is the Chargers' pass rusher everyone is talking about, but LA has another intriguing talent in Tuipulotu. (listed among 25 potential trade chips)” the article →
Tuli Tuipulotu to sign a new deal with Los Angeles Chargers
“I think his Chargers teammate Tuli Tuipulotu gets an extension from LA that keeps him around, but Mack is still a quality pass rusher and sets a physical edge.” the article →
- Daiyan HenleyTackle leader · LB
0.5 sacks · 21 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 140th in the NFL in solo tackles
Daiyan Henley to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Daiyan Henley projects to step back from his starting job with the Chargers and assume a rotational role behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad” the article →
Every call on Cardinals at Chargers
1–20 of 20
Los Angeles Chargers 30 — Cardinals 10
Prediction: Chargers 30, Cardinals 10
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
The Chargers should win this one. ... Our CBS Sports experts agree, all taking the Chargers straight up.
Los Angeles Chargers 27 — Cardinals 17
Pick: Chargers 27, Cardinals 17
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Arizona Cardinals
the chargers are playing the arizona cardinals in week one... I think this is a blowout. I think it's a 20-plus point win for the Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Arizona Cardinals
They'll score they'll score 20. I see the Chargers scoring twenty eight
Los Angeles Chargers 27 — Cardinals 10
Chargers 27, Cardinals 10.
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Gilberto Manzano: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — John Pluym: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Matt Verderame: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Mike Kadlick: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Albert Breer: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Mitch Goldich: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Eva Geitheim: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals at Chargers — Conor Orr: Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers 31 — Cardinals 14
Pick: Chargers 31, Cardinals 14
Los Angeles Chargers 31 — Cardinals 21
Chargers 31-21 over Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Arizona Cardinals
Give me the Arizona Cardinals getting 10 and a half against the Chargers. I like the Chargers to win, but are they going to win by more than 10 and a half?
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Listen, they're going to start out 2-0... They're home for the Cardinals, home for the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Cardinals
Cardinals (at Chargers). Jim Harbaugh has NEVER lost an NFL opener in his career ... and I don't see that streak ending here.
Carson Beck to be 1st on the depth chart
If he can keep this up ... then he could earn the starting job. We were already likely to see him this season. Now I’m wondering if we’ll see him in Week 1.