Cardinals vs. Chargers prediction favors Chargers to win in NFL Week 1 [2026]

The Los Angeles Chargers will face the Arizona Cardinals in NFL Week 1 action at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, beginning at 4:25 PM ET.

Dimers' advanced NFL model projects the Chargers as the most likely winner in this Cardinals vs. Chargers prediction.

This article offers an expanded analysis of this week's matchup, including projected touchdown scorers, best bets and player prop picks, backed by the same system that has dominated college football and NFL betting markets across multiple seasons.

Cardinals vs. Chargers prediction and odds

Since our Cardinals-Chargers predictions earlier in the week, we have re-simulated the result of Sunday's NFL game between the Cardinals and Chargers, forming part of our NFL predictions coverage.

Our famous predictive model gives the Chargers a 77.3% chance of beating the Cardinals in Week 1 of the NFL season. Our predicted final score has the Chargers winning 27-18. According to our model, the Chargers (-8.5) have a 50.4% chance of covering the spread, while the 46.5-point over/under has a 51.1% chance of staying under.

To see win probabilities for every matchup this week, check out our expert NFL Week 1 straight up picks.

Latest betting odds

We have sourced the best NFL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:

• Spread: Cardinals +8.5 (+100) / Chargers -8.5 (-102)
• Moneyline: Cardinals +426, Chargers -441
• Total: Over/Under 46.5 (-108/+104)

All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Model picks and best bet

After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets in this matchup. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:

• Spread: Chargers -8.5 @ 50¢ via Novig
• Moneyline: Cardinals @ 19¢ via Novig
• Total: Under 46.5 @ 49¢ via Novig

According to our NFL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Cardinals to win.

These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the current available odds.

Cardinals vs. Chargers TD scorers

Who will score a touchdown in Cardinals vs. Chargers?

According to our list of touchdown scorer predictions for today, Omarion Hampton is most likely to score an anytime touchdown in Cardinals vs. Chargers.

Our projections give Hampton a 49.3% chance of getting in for six at SoFi Stadium, while the running back is a 13.1% chance of registering the first touchdown the game.

Anytime touchdown scorer predictions

Arizona Cardinals

• Jeremiyah Love (RB): 33.5% probability
• Tyler Allgeier (RB): 29.1%
• Trey McBride (TE): 27.3%
• Marvin Harrison (WR): 23.9%
• Michael Wilson (WR): 21.7%

Los Angeles Chargers

• Omarion Hampton (RB): 49.3% prob.
• Quentin Johnston (WR): 34.4%
• Ladd McConkey (WR): 33.3%
• Keaton Mitchell (RB): 19.7%
• Tre' Harris (WR): 17.4%

First touchdown scorer predictions

Arizona Cardinals

• Jeremiyah Love (RB): 8.0% prob.
• Tyler Allgeier (RB): 6.7%
• Trey McBride (TE): 6.2%
• Marvin Harrison (WR): 5.4%
• Michael Wilson (WR): 4.8%

Los Angeles Chargers

• Omarion Hampton (RB): 13.1% prob.
• Quentin Johnston (WR): 8.1%
• Ladd McConkey (WR): 7.8%
• Keaton Mitchell (RB): 4.2%
• Tre' Harris (WR): 3.7%

Top player props

Discover our predictions for the players likely to lead in passing, rushing and receiving yards for both the Cardinals and Chargers. Head to our NFL player projections page now to access a full list of player prop projections for every offensive player in this matchup and all other Week 1 games.

Quarterbacks

Of the starting quarterbacks, the Cardinals' Jacoby Brissett is projected for 233 passing yards, while the Chargers' Justin Herbert is expected to throw for 240 yards.

Cardinals rushing

• Jeremiyah Love: 39 yds
• Tyler Allgeier: 38 yds
• Jacoby Brissett: 13 yds

Chargers rushing

• Omarion Hampton: 73 yds
• Keaton Mitchell: 28 yds
• Justin Herbert: 24 yds

Cardinals receiving

• Trey McBride: 59 yds
• Marvin Harrison: 52 yds
• Michael Wilson: 48 yds
• Kendrick Bourne: 26 yds
• Jeremiyah Love: 19 yds

Chargers receiving

• Ladd McConkey: 63 yds
• Quentin Johnston: 48 yds
• Tre' Harris: 33 yds
• Charlie Kolar: 23 yds
• Oronde Gadsden: 18 yds

Game info & kickoff details

The NFL Week 1 game between the Chargers and Cardinals at SoFi Stadium is scheduled to begin at 4:25 PM ET.

• Who: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers
• Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
• Time: 4:25 PM ET/1:25PM PT
• Venue: SoFi Stadium

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Conclusion

We predict the Chargers, with a 77.3% win probability, will likely beat the Cardinals in Week 1 of the NFL season.

Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.

This article's predictions and probabilities are generated by Dimers' proprietary NFL prediction model. Our editorial team reviews the resulting content for accuracy and presentation before publication.