The Arizona Cardinals didn’t go through a rebuild, but they will look a lot different than what we saw last season. The retirement of Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer reshaped the franchise and expectations have plummeted. But it’s not like the Cards were world beaters the past two years, failing to produce a winning record. In steps Steve Wilks as one of seven new head coaches this season, and Sam Bradford is the expected starter, though top pick Josh Rosen will push for playing time. The new-look Cards take the field for the first time in Week 1 of the preseason against the Los Angeles Chargers.
This matchup in Week 1 of the preseason will go down Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 10 p.m. ET from University of Phoenix Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Chargers +2.5
Arizona Cardinals -2.5
Over/Under 36
Odds Analysis
A rookie head coach with his first game being at home is a big deal. Steve Wilks inherited a good situation in the desert and the Cards have plenty to prove. They opened as a 2.5-point favorite, a line that could be too low, with the total at 36.
Quarterback Rotation
Philip Rivers isn’t sure if he’s going to play on Saturday, but he’s preparing as though he will. The Chargers know what they have in Rivers, who has started every regular season game for the franchise since taking over in 2006. And while Anthony Lynn hasn’t discussed particulars for Saturday’s game, the thinking is that Rivers won’t take a snap.
Kellen Clemens, who had backed up Rivers for the past four years, is no longer with the team and the competition for his job is between Cardale Jones and Geno Smith. Jones played four preseason games with the Bolts last season and was inconsistent, failing to beat out Clemens. He’ll have another shot this month. Geno Smith is the more experienced of the two, but he’s also had issues. Rookie Nic Shimonek isn’t a threat to unseat anyone and likely won’t get any snaps.
A new head coach, new offensive coordinator and new quarterback mean plenty of work during the preseason. Wilks and Mike McCoy anticipate getting a quick look at Sam Bradford on Saturday. Not only is Bradford working in a new system, he’s trying to get his game legs back after playing in just two games with the Vikings last year. His knee feels good and it’s time for him to play ball.
Rookie Josh Rosen will get his share of reps against the Chargers and the staff also wants to play Mike Glennon and undrafted rookie Charles Kanoff. Another issue to take into account is that starting center A.Q. Shipley went down for the season with a knee injury last week and the Cards need to find a new snapper as well.
Coaching Matchup
While there is no link between the two head coaches, there certainly is among the offensive coordinators. Chargers OC Ken Whisenhunt directed the NFL’s top passing unit last year and has a great relationship with Rivers. Whisenhunt was the Cards head coach from 2007 to 2012 compiling 45 wins and leading the franchise to its first and only Super Bowl following the 2008 season. The Cards lost that game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mike McCoy was hired as the Cards new OC after he was cut loose by the Broncos. McCoy’s only head coaching experience came in San Diego from 2013 to 2016. He led the Bolts to their last playoff appearance in 2013 and won 27 games in four seasons. There will be a little competition between the coaches against their former teams.
Free ATS Pick
The Chargers want to be better in the run game on both sides of the football and that’s definitely something they’re going to work on in the preseason. We likely won’t see Rivers and the Bolts don’t have a lot of experience at the backup position. And a majority of regulars won’t see the field on Saturday.
Breaking in a new crop of quarterbacks and coaching staff will also keep the Cards busy. We will see Bradford, David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald for a few plays, and the Cards are much deeper than people realize. Expectations were tempered after Arians and Palmer retired, but AZ has a solid group of defenders and Rosen will light it up, leading the home team to a cover victory.
NFL Odds: Cardinals 27, Chargers 13
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