The Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals will close NFL Week 7 on Monday Night Football. The game will kick off at 9 p.m. ET from State Farm Stadium and can be viewed on ESPN+.
We have Chargers-Cardinals picks on the spread and over/under, as well as a player prop on the Arizona side.
The Chargers overhauled their offense this offseason ahead of Jim Harbaugh's return to the NFL and exceeded expectations. Justin Herbert is only averaging 163 passing yards per game, but JK Dobbins is averaging 87.6 per game on the ground with 3 touchdowns. Los Angeles isn't lighting up the scoreboard, but it is giving up an average of 13.3 points per game so far this season.
The Cardinals were touted as a trendy sleeper before the season, especially after covering in their first two games against the closing spread. Since then, Arizona's only straight-up win was a late fourth-quarter comeback against the 49ers in Week 5. Marvin Harrison Jr. is set to be active after getting out of concussion protocol. He's one of three Cardinals receivers with at least 235 receiving yards through their first six games.
Let's get into our NFL picks and predictions for Chargers vs. Cardinals tonight.
Chargers vs. Cardinals Predictions
| Game | Time (ET) | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|
  | 9 p.m. | |
| 9 p.m. | |
| 9 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NFL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Chargers vs. Cardinals Pick
Arizona has been absolutely wrecked by injuries, especially on defense. Three defensive starters were knocked out of their Week 6 blowout loss to Green Bay (corner Sean Murphy-Bunting, linebacker Kyzir White and tackle Bilal Nichols), along with second-string safety Joey Blount. All four players are questionable for tonight's game.
On the offensive side, Marvin Harrison Jr. left early with a concussion, James Conner was hobbled in the second half and left guard Evan Brown was knocked out of the game with an ankle issue. Right guard Will Hernandez went to IR last week with a knee injury, joining right tackle Jonah Williams.
Basically, the Cardinals could be without three starting offensive linemen, their best receiver and several key defensive players.
The Chargers haven't faced the stiffest competition, but it's hard to ignore their defensive production right now. Los Angeles had allowed the fewest points per game and the sixth-fewest yards per game in the NFL entering Week 7. Offensively, the Chargers are looking to run the ball and will face a unit allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game.
I'm expecting the Chargers to control the game and wear down this battered Arizona squad.
Pick: Chargers ML (-120)
Over/Under Prediction
Jim Harbaugh has gotten the Chargers off to good starts this season, running the ball and finding early points. I expect Los Angeles will get its scripted offense off to a good start, but the Cardinals offense is a new test for the Chargers defense. We could end up getting a surprising number of points both ways.
The over makes sense, and so does a Chargers first-half play against the number. How about combining both angles and just playing a first-half over 21.5?
Arizona games are 6-0 to this number this season with at least 24 points in every Cardinals first half and an average number of 29.2 per half.
Pick: First Half Over 21.5 (-110)
Trey McBride Player Prop Pick
Trey McBride has dominated usage in this passing game, even with Marvin Harrison Jr. in the fold. He leads the team in targets (38) despite missing Week 4 with an injury. McBride's 25.7% target share easily leads the team and is the best mark in the league for a tight end. Harrison went down with a concussion in Week 6, and his status is in question for this week. With Harrison only playing eight snaps, McBride posted season highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (96) against Green Bay.
The Chargers have been an excellent matchup for opposing tight ends this season, allowing the eighth-most yards and the second-most targets and receptions per game.
I'm already on the Chargers moneyline, so I expect the Cardinals will be playing from behind. McBride could easily see double-digit targets on Monday night.
Pick: Trey McBride Over 51.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
