Chargers vs. Cardinals Preseason Pick
The Los Angels Chargers and Arizona Cardinals kick off their preseason on Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. ET. Will the Cardinals cover the point spread as a small home favorite?
Game Snapshot
281 Los Angeles Chargers at 282 Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 11, 10:00 p.m. ET
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Betting Odds & Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Cardinals are 2.5-point home favorites to beat the Chargers tonight in Arizona. As for the total, it hit the board at 36 but has climbed a full point to 37. As of this writing, 53% of betting tickets are on L.A. to cover the spread versus Arizona.
Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams said he has “a big role in the red zone right now.” With Antonio Gates still unsigned and Hunter Henry out for the year with a torn ACL, the Chargers need to replace 32 percent of their red-zone targets, and Williams always seemed like the best option. “Henry was a big red zone threat, and that’s a spot where I can help,” Williams said. “So we’re working on a lot of that stuff right now.” His target share is still uncertain coming off a lost rookie season, but touchdown upside alone makes him worth a look in the double-digit rounds.
Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals coach Steve Wilks has been impressed with Christian Kirk’s training camp. “The one thing I love about him is his motor,” Wilks said. “Full speed every play. You try to create that mindset, that muscle memory, and he has that.” The Cardinals listed Kirk behind Chad Williams, Brice Butler, and J.J. Nelson on their unofficial depth chart, but his talent should win out opposite Larry Fitzgerald. We like Kirk’s potential for a Year One impact in an offense with targets up for grabs.
Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Chargers are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games played on Saturday.
Arizona
The Cardinals are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six home games dating back to last season.
Our Prediction
It’s tough sometimes to find angles for betting NFL preseason games but the one I like tonight is Wilks being motivated to win his first game in front of the home crowd. The game doesn’t matter, obviously, but some coaches are more motivated than others to win in preseason and this is a good spot to fade the public and back a Cardinals team trying to impress at home.
NFL Preseason Prediction: Arizona Cardinals -2.5