Los Angeles vs Arizona (LAC -2.5, 43.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
CHARGERS @ CARDINALS 10/21/24
Five games into the Jim Harbaugh era, the Los Angeles Chargers have one of the NFL's least productive offenses. Chargers QB Justin Herbert only averages 163 passing yards per game. When the Chargers visit the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona on Monday night, they will attempt to step up their offensive game against the Cardinals faltering defense.
The Cardinals (2-4) allow 27.2 points per game, which ties them for 27th place in scoring defense. Three times, including the 21-point loss to the Green Bay Packers last week, Arizona has given up 34 or more points this season. In Harbaugh's first season with the team, the Chargers are tied for 26th in scoring offense (18.2 points per game) and 28th in total offense (281 yards per game).
Regarding Herbert, during last weekend's 23-16 road victory over the Denver Broncos, he passed for 237 yards, surpassing 200 yards for the first time this season. The 23 points was the Chargers second-highest scoring output of the season. Herbert is 28th among quarterbacks in passing yards with 815.
After a poor start that included a 42-14 home loss to the Washington Commanders and a 34-13 road loss to Green Bay last week, Arizona needs to start stacking victories. In the first 25 minutes of the game, the Cardinals fell behind 24-0 to the Packers, and any hopes of a comeback were dashed when they lost three fumbles in the second half. They also committed 13 penalties.
After suffering a concussion in the second quarter on Sunday, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was removed from the game. Harrison participated in non-contact drills on Thursday while still following the concussion protocol. He is listed as probable for tonight’s game. Harrison, the 2024 draft's fourth overall selection, has 17 catches for a team-high 279 yards and four touchdowns.
Harbaugh, meanwhile, will wear a heart monitor during this game after suffering an arrhythmia that caused him to leave last week's game against the Broncos early. It was coach Harbaugh's second heart attack during a game. The first occurred in 2012 while he was with the San Francisco 49ers.
Joey Bosa (hip), a star pass rusher for the Chargers, missed practice after missing the previous two games. Los Angeles was also without cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Deane Leonard due to hamstring injuries. Wideout Quentin Johnston (ankle) and tight end Hayden Hurst (groin) also suffered injuries.
Inside linebacker Owen Pappoe (hip), defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf), and offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (hamstring) were all sidelined for the Cardinals. Bilal Nichols, a defensive tackle, is out for the season, according to Gannon as well. In the previous two games, he had a neck stinger in both of them.
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Junior Browne Free PICK
FREE PICK: HERBERT UNDER 27.5 PASS ATTEMPTS
The Chargers average 25.4 pass attempts per game. That is dead last in the NFL. Last week was a like a pass-fest for Herbert. He attempted 34 passes, which is typically not the case for a Harbaugh-coached team. Arizona ranks 28th in run defense, allowing over 147 yards per game. You can bet Harbaugh will give the Cards defense a giant dose of the Chargers power run game. Herbert has gone Under this number in 4 of the Chargers 5 games.