Chargers vs Cardinals Preview (11/27/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

Both the Chargers and Cardinals endured painful losses in week 11 that have left these teams with few playoff hopes going forward this season. The Chargers dropped to 5-5 and the Cardinals are at 4-7 after crucial losses to divisional opponents. Let’s check out the odds, injuries, and matchups to see which team can rebound and secure a morale boost this Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers Vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds

The Chargers are favored (-3) over the Cardinals (+3) on the road and the over/under is set at 47.5. QB Kyler Murray is expected to return from his hamstring injury this Sunday which will likely keep this game closer than the Cardinals Monday night game versus the 49ers.

Los Angeles Chargers Vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction

After these teams had preseason expectations for reaching the playoffs, they have instead been injury plagued. The Cardinals have missed their QB Kyler Murray for the past two weeks due to a hamstring injury. The good news is Murray expects to play versus the Chargers, but the Cardinals will probably play without weapons TE Zach Ertz, WR Rondale Moore, and WR Marquise Brown. Murray will instead have to target WR Greg Dortch and WR DeAndre Hopkins, who both had 90+ yard games against the 49ers.

The Chargers offense looked better versus the Chiefs last week, with Herbert connecting with receivers Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer to put up 27 points. Still, their offense has been largely one dimensional this season due to a weak run game. The Chargers run game ranks third worst in the league, only averaging 88 yards per game. Outside of one 173 yard performance, RB Austin Ekeler, has failed to surpass more than 100 yards the rest of the season. The good news for the Chargers offense is they go up against the Cardinals 2nd worst scoring defense, so they should be able to capitalize on the scoreboard even if their running game fails to get going.

I’m betting on the Chargers to win and cover versus the Cardinals. Though the Chargers will play on the road, they have a 3-2 record when playing away games this season, and they’ll have an advantage with the Cardinals coming off of a short week.

Prediction: Chargers 31-24, Over hits

Betting Trends

Chargers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Cardinals are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Chargers Injuries: Gerald Everett (Q), Dustin Hopkins (Q), Nasir Adderley (Q), Kenneth Murray (Q), Mike Williams (Q), Joey Bosa (O), Rashawn Slater (O)

Arizona Cardinals: D.J. Humphries (Q), Zach Ertz (O), Byron Murphy (Q), Kyler Murray (Q), Max Garcia (Q),
Nick Vigil (Q), Rondale Moore (Q), Alex Ellis (Q), Marquise Brown (Q), Rashard Lawrence (Q)

Key Matchups

Chargers Receiving Corps vs the Cardinals Secondary

The Chargers receivers looked to be getting healthier after WR Keenan Allen and WR Mike Williams returned from injury yesterday, but Williams exited again on Sunday night with another ankle injury. However, in the wake of the injuries, WR Joshua Palmer has stepped up for the Chargers offense. Palmer has had two 100 yard games in the past three weeks, including a 106 yard game versus the Chiefs which featured the followings 50 yard touchdown highlight.

GOIN’ DEEEEEEEEEP@Flowercitysown | @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/7hgnyoPfJv

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 21, 2022

The Cardinals have a bottom ten pass defense which will favor the Herbert, Palmer, and the Chargers. They struggled against the 49ers with George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk going for two touchdowns each. The Cardinals effort came in to question by safety Budda Baker, particularly when they looked like they refrained from tackling Kittle on his fourth quarter touchdown. Hopefully Baker’s words will light a fire under the rest of the Cardinals defense.

Cardinals Run Offense vs Chargers Run Defense

Neither the Cardinals run game or the Chargers run defense has been very good this season, so whichever unit outperforms the other could give their team an advantage. The Chargers run defense has failed to improve from last season, ranking 4th worst in the league and giving up 148.4 yards per game. The Cardinals #1 RB James Conner has failed to rush for 70 or more years once this season and has averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. This is not exactly what the Cardinals envisioned, and has kept their offense from having true balance. QB Kyler Murray does significantly help their run game, which will help add another element to the Cardinals attack. However, they may limit his rush attempts as he is just returning from injury.

Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart

QB: Justin Herbert
RB1: Austin Ekeler
RB2: Joshua Kelley
LWR: Mike Williams
RWR: Keenan Allen
SWR: Joshua Palmer
TE1:Gerald Everett

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: James Conner
RB2: Keaontay Ingram
LWR: Marquise Brown
RWR: AJ Green
SWR: Andre Baccellia
TE1: Trey McBride