- CARDINALS vs. CHARGERS
- 6 p.m. Monday
- State Farm Stadium
- Line: Cardinals +3 (For more NFL odds, visit the BetMGM online sportsbook)
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Rely On The Reliable
Tight end Trey McBride has been a dependable weapon in the Cardinals offense and, despite missing a game due to injury, is still the team's leading receiver. In the win over the 49ers, McBride was targeted in six of the team's nine possessions, including on the opening drive. In the loss against the Packers, he wasn't targeted until late in the second quarter, and given the rough game Arizona last had, it makes sense to get the offense rolling with McBride. The Chargers defense is ranked 25th in both receptions allowed and average receiving yards allowed per game to a tight end, providing a ripe opportunity to find Trey McPlay up the middle.
-- Dani Sureck
Ground Shipping Vs. Air Freight
At Green Bay, the Cards three leading receivers weren't wide receivers, but a tight end and two running backs. If opposing defenses load the box to halt the Arizona ground game (Conner/Kyler), then the best box cutter becomes a surface-to-air passing attack. In Week 1, Kyler Murray hit eight different pass catchers – in the first half. Last week, only five players caught balls. Then again, the Chargers figure to be missing their top four cornerbacks and are projected to start a pair of fifth-round rookies. #TickTock? As Kyler said this week about his wide receivers room: "I feel like to be explosive, we gotta get those guys the ball."
-- Paul Calvisi
Third-Down Turnaround
Justin Herbert's ankle injury is no longer hindering the quarterback's performance, and last week's outing against the Broncos emphasized the Chargers' QB1 is fully back. L.A.'s offense was solid on third down, converting 11 of 18 attempts, with Herbert finishing Week 6 with 127 passing yards on the down. The Cardinals, on the other hand, struggled to get the Packers off the field when facing third down. Green Bay was 7-of-12 in those situations. With Bilal Nichols done for the remainder of the season, the onus is on players like Roy Lopez to generate pressure at the line of scrimmage, while expecting the cornerbacks to hold their own with rush-and-cover schemes.
-- Zach Gershman
