The Chargers have owned their West Division counterpart from the other conference during the preseason, winning six straight games over the Arizona Cardinals.
San Diego looks to continue that run of preseason success when the teams meet Saturday on the NFL Network.
ODDS
We anticipate seeing more of the Cardinals’ regulars as they go for their first preseason win over San Diego since 2002. Arizona opened as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 40.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Armed with a new contract, San Diego’s Philip Rivers will get his work in before turning things over to backups Kellen Clemens and Brad Sorensen. Rivers directed a touchdown drive in his only series against the Cowboys but Clemens and Sorenson both struggled to generate any offense. The two combined to complete 50 percent of their passes but managed just 55 yards. Rivers is likely to play the first quarter before Clemens and Sorenson finish up.
Look for the Cardinals to lift the restrictions they’ve had on Carson Palmer, who’s looked good in camp and in the preseason opener last week, coming off his ACL injury. He was an efficient 4 of 4 for 77 yards and a touchdown in his only series against Kansas City. He’s likely to get a full quarter of action as the Cards plug in some new pieces on their offense. Backup Drew Stanton needs more work after going 0 for 3 in two series against the Chiefs. Stanton isn’t in jeopardy of losing his No. 2 job, but Logan Thomas has made strides and will get some reps as well. Thomas completed 9 of 15 attempts for 107 yards last week.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
One area Cardinals coach Bruce Arians sees as a point of emphasis to improve on this year is the running game, which was abysmal last season, often leaving the quarterbacks on a ledge. Palmer was able to navigate around a suspect ground attack, but when he went down with a knee injury last season, the inefficiencies were only magnified. Now Arians must patch an offensive line together after the loss of free agent signee guard Mike Iupati to injury and the pending three-game suspension of tackle Bobby Massie. Arians also wants a back – any back – to step up and take ownage of the starting role. The Cards signed Chris Johnson this week to push Andre Ellington and rookie David Johnson for playing time. It seems like now the Cardinals have more questions than answers in that area of their game. More than momentum, more than a victory, Arians needs information.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It seems like every year we somehow find a way to sign a guy that you don’t think you can or you don’t think you will. It’s a great place to play, obviously. A lot of guys want to come here and live here and play here and play for this organization and it just makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons for him.” – Carson Palmer on the Cardinals’ signing of running back Chris Johnson
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
A fierce battle is taking place in Cardinals camp for roster spots at the tight end position. Ifeanyi Momah took advantage of his opportunity last week and made the most of it with three catches on four targets for 31 yards. More importantly he showed ability as a run blocker, an area he needs to improve to help his chances of making the opening-day roster. But he’s battling five others at the position. The Cards love how Darren Fells is playing. They also signed veteran Jermaine Gresham to join a group that includes 2014 second-round pick Troy Niklas, and rookies Gerald Christian and Gannon Sinclair.
INJURIES
The Cardinals lost a top offensive lineman in Mike Iupati to knee injury in practice this week and on Wednesday, nose tackle Corey Peters went down with a right Achilles injury, delivering two big blows to the Cards lines.
The Chargers were not without injuries either. Johnnie Troutman, a returning starter on the offensive line, fractured his right arm last week while pass-rushing linebacker Tourek Williams suffered a broken foot and will undergo surgery.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Cardinals are left with more questions after a tough week of practice decimated their offensive and defensive lines. That won’t stop Arians and his staff from building on the “next man up” mantra. Arizona’s depth was severely tested last week when the backups were torn apart by Kansas City, that shouldn’t happen this week – at least not in the first half. The Cards are expected to go with their regulars for much of the opening half and will be able to compete with the Chargers.
Arizona 23, San Diego 17
The NFL lines for this Saturday game were first available at BookMaker sportsbook. The Cardinals were pegged as 2.5-point chalk while the total opened at 40. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals will commence Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 10 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on the NFL Network.
