Coming into this 2022 season, the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers were both projected to be top offenses in the NFL. Los Angeles was even a team I liked as a sneaky playoff contender, and Arizona has been trending up in recent years as well.
With Justin Herbert leading the way for the Chargers and Kyler Murray leading the Cardinals’ offense, both of these teams have their quarterbacks of the future. Murray is a fantastic quarterback who can beat you on the ground and through the air, and Herbert looks like a potential future elite quarterback who can lead an elite offense.
The Chargers have dealt with a plethora of injuries this year and it just keeps getting worse. From star wide receiver Keenan Allen missing nearly all of the year, and then Mike Williams, their receivers have been hurting tremendously. As a result, Herbert has been underperforming and hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Murray and the Cardinals appear to have bigger issues as Murray doesn’t seem to get along with head coach Kliff Kingsbury at all. The Cardinals also just fired their assistant coach Sean Kugler after an incident in Mexico City last week.
Needless to say, this is a must-win spot for both teams and should be an exciting and high-scoring affair. Continue reading for my best bets and predictions for this one.
Chargers vs Cardinals Odds
As of Tuesday evening, at Caesars Sportsbook, the Cardinals are 4.5-point home underdogs. Despite their struggles on both sides of the ball, I was a bit surprised by the Week 12 NFL odds for this matchup.
I think this game could be a total tossup and it really is going to come down to which team shows up and wants it more. Both teams are extremely capable of being great and will need to step up this week to have any chance at making the playoffs.
Take a look at the best Chargers odds and Cardinals odds for the 2022 NFL season.
Chargers vs Cardinals Implied Totals
Chargers 26, Cardinals 21.5
With an implied total of 47.5 points, this matchup between the Chargers and Cardinals is projected to be a high-scoring affair. Both of these teams have electric offenses that have a ton of firepower and the potential to put up plenty of points, regardless of how they’ve performed up to this point.
Chargers vs Cardinals Pick of the Day
Read more on this Chargers vs Cardinals bet below.
Chargers vs Cardinals Prediction
Chargers 27, Cardinals 24
For this matchup, I’m taking the Chargers to win outright, but for the Cardinals to keep it close and cover the spread. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if this one turns into a shootout and comes down to the wire.
Both teams are top eight in the NFL in passing yards on the season, with the edge to the Chargers. Herbert and Murray have a lot to prove, and despite injuries, both quarterbacks have talented offensive weapons to work with.
Herbert will lean on his versatile running back, Austin Ekeler. Murray is trending towards playing this week after missing two straight games with a hamstring injury. He will lean on DeAndre Hopkins, who is leading the NFL in targets per game with 11.6 since his return to action.
If Murray ends up missing the game, Colt McCoy will step in again and I’ll be taking the Chargers to win this one with even more confidence.
Chargers vs Cardinals Bet Tips
Here are a few Chargers vs Cardinals betting trends to consider before making your bets:
- The total has gone Over in 11 of the last 16 games for the Chargers.
- The Cardinals are 1-5 at home this year.
- The total has gone Over in five-straight games for the Cardinals.
Chargers vs Cardinals Best Bets
Cardinals: Cover +4.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
One of the classic bets that you can make is for the home team underdogs to cover, and that’s what I’m targeting here. The Chargers have not been great this year. They’ve struggled with injuries and players have underperformed on both sides of the ball.
Arizona has been worse, and as of today, the Cardinals aren’t even in the playoff race for a Wild Card spot. That being said, as the home team who hasn’t lived up to expectations, I’m expecting them to definitely put up a fight.
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Over 47.5 Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Arizona has struggled to defend the pass this year, giving up 2,699 passing yards, third-most in the NFL. Los Angeles’ pass defense, on the other hand, has been right in the middle, ranking 16th in the NFL. Throw in injuries and offensive firepower, and I’m expecting a high-scoring game.
Herbert will be airing it out and Murray can do just as much damage through the air if he gets it going. Not to mention, the production with his feet. While this game has one of the highest point totals on the slate, I’m still taking the Over. Expect a shootout in Arizona this week.
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Chargers vs Cardinals Props
Check out the best Chargers vs Cardinals player prop bets this week with our props comparison tool. Click on “Show More Games" below to find the Los Angeles vs Arizona game and see all of its prop bets.
