We enlisted Seth Cox of Revenge of the Birds to preview this week’s matchup ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Cardinals. As of Saturday morning, the Chargers are still the 2.5-point favorites, according to the DraftKings Sportsbook.
After being slapped on the tail by the Niners, the healthier Cardinals team looks to put up a bigger fight against a Chargers team struggling to keep the team out of the end zone.
Want to know all of Seth’s thoughts on this matchup? Let’s go ahead and jump to the preview.
1.) The Cardinals had to manage without DeAndre Hopkins for the first six weeks of the regular season. Before he made his return to Hollywood, his Brown looked phenomenal but ended up with a serious injury that kept him out of the field for a notable period in 2022. Week 12 if the Cardinals should activate Brown from the injured list. If so, what do you expect from this duo through the rest of the regular season?
I just pray that they will be able to put together 5 games in this condition. We knew from the start that it would take weeks to get in sync once we started playing together, so hopefully the two weeks of practice will help them build something if Hollywood does this week.
The problem is that this offensive line is so underwhelming that it may not get the chance to play dynamic. Most of the plays we’ve seen in recent weeks have been short quick passes or 10-15 yard throws down the field.
With four backup offensive linemen in the starting lineup, including a rookie in the sixth round and a journeyman center who wasn’t on the active roster until the Cardinals needed him, that would be tough.
That said, while the Cardinals could make it to the playoffs, the biggest thing is whether Kyler, Hopkins and Brown can form a great bond and make this offense more dynamic. If that happens, Cliff will either keep working or make it a little more attractive.
That said, having a good set of receivers doesn’t solve this team’s problems.
2.) Arizona was knocked out by the 49ers in Monday Night Football. The Chargers know exactly what it feels like after losing to the Jaguars by the same score in Week 3. What exactly happened against San Francisco and what concerns do you think will permeate this week’s matchup with the Chargers?
Again, with four backup offensive linemen, a backup quarterback, and a rookie tight end, you lose the number two receiver on the first play of the game. For the Cuylers, the game might be a little closer, but for the Colts, the 49ers teeed off in a run game and when they finally got out of hand, they could pin their ears and chase McCoy .
The Cardinals had to pull him out for their own good to stop him taking major shots like he did.
Add to that a legitimate question about their second-half defensive effort, and we’ve seen a team that looks more like folding back and going home than trying to scratch and scratch things back.
The biggest question is defense and whether they have the heart to fight back.
They’re not a good unit as they are, but they need to work with what they have while realizing their offense hasn’t helped them this season. It’s embarrassing to give up on a series or game just because it’s boring. Even though the Chargers are hurt, they are proud enough to fight. Can the Cardinals fight back with the same pride?
3.) Like the Chargers, the Cardinals have one of the worst scoring defenses in the NFL. What is the unit’s biggest problem? How did it get so bad?
Lack of talent. I love his JJ Watt, but if he’s still your most talented front-seven player, you’re bad. This is not the case with Khalil his mac as the best player due to Joey Bosa being injured for a player of his level. Front he is literally the most talented player in the Sevens if he is 33 and not in his prime.
It has a young, average corner and no pass rush (if Byron Murphy plays, of course he’s at his best at cornerback, but he’s injured).
So if nothing is up front, you have to keep up with good receivers with the best average cornerbacks who have to cover 4 seconds or more on nearly every play.
On top of that, as I said earlier, the front couldn’t stop running, and… MAGIC!
4.) If you were Brandon Staley, how would you defend this attack? Apart from Hopkins, who would Bolt be most worried about? Conversely, how would you exploit this defense? Are there any defenders the Chargers will try to take advantage of?
If Cuyler is playing a rush 3 or 4, use Darwin to spy on him and get the ball out quickly to force the receiver to make a play.
If Colt McCoy is playing, you can pack it in the box and fill the run. He knows he doesn’t offer anything in the game.
So in the case of Kyler, we want to keep him in containment and have someone ready in case he breaks containment. is.
If Cuyler is playing then you have to watch out for James Connor who hasn’t done well this year (he’s in the AZ) but if he and Kyler are running the ball it creates a problem There is a possibility. Maybe that’s Arizona’s game plan?
Do you have a pulse? After that your crime should be fine.
Seriously, if you can run the ball, do it. Austin Ekeler is a hell of a player and would be a good fit for the Cardinals.
Second, as I said before, even if Mike Williams and Keenan Allen can’t go, the Cardinals can’t rush a passer, so as the game goes on, your other wide receivers are pretty routine. should be able to open up
If you can’t tell, this has been a bad season. Lack of pass rush. Like I said, the cornerback room isn’t terrible, but it’s not enough to play well without a pass rush. But Ben Niemann is too late to get a useful angle against Ekeler and Tanner Vallejo. On one situation.
In short… in my opinion, there’s not much to worry about.
5.) The Chargers are now set at 47.5 over/under, a 4.5 point advantage over the Cardinals. Predict the short game, predict the final score, and tell us if you’re ahead or behind in this matchup.
Since asking these questions, Kyler Murray has become more likely to play. The Chargers are still the favourites, having only moved to the Cardinals +3, but bettors prefer the possibility of the Cuyler over the Colt.
But nothing has impressed me this season, and while the Chargers aren’t world winners at the moment, I think they’re a little more consistent than the Cardinals in 2022.
So with Cuyler playing the Cardinals, I think we’ll get it closer, but the Chargers win and we’re done.
Two bad defenses, one being both, while the Chargers are bad at stopping runs, I’m guessing the end, but the Chargers are consistently scoring against the Cardinals. I can.
Chargers 27 – Cardinals 23
