NFL picks: Experts all pick Chargers over Cardinals in Week 1

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in Week 1. The Cardinals are big underdogs, coming off a 3-14 season. The Chargers had a top-10 defense in 2025 and made the playofs for the second straight season and third time in four years.

As such, the Cardinals are not a popular pick to win this week.

What do experts say? Here are some picks and predictions from NFL experts.

Jess Root, Cards Wire: Chargers 31, Cardinals 17

While the Cardinals' offense is promising, this is an awful matchup for them. The Chargers were a top-10 defense in points, yards, first downs, pass defense and run defense. They have great edge players in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu , so the Cardinals will not be able to thrive against that defense.

And the Chargers' offensive problems in 2025 should be in the past with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Arizona's defense will struggle, and the offense won't be able to keep up.

Seth Cox, SB Nation and Rise Up, See Red Podcast: Chargers 27, Cardinals 20

The 10 experts pick the Chargers unanimously. Eight believe the Chargers will have a double-digit win.

We will see what happens on Sunday. The game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET (1:25 p.m. Arizona time) Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium.

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