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Chargers vs. Cardinals Early Picks, Predictions & Odds for MNF Week 7

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: October 15, 2024 5:25 PM EDT • 3 min 53 sec read.

Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss reaches for Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins as we offer our Chargers vs. Cardinals early picks.
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss reaches for Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins. Photo by Ron Chenoy via Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Chargers are 3-1-1 against the spread and travel to Arizona as 2.5-point favorites for Week 7 MNF against the Cardinals. 

  • The Cardinals are 3-3 against the spread but have only averaged 16.25 points per game in the last four
  • The Chargers allow the fewest points per game (13.2) but haven't scored more than 26 points
  • The Chargers boast the third-best defensive DVOA, while the Cardinals field the 29th-ranked defense, according to PFF

Our Chargers vs. Cardinals early picks and prediction focuses on whether Los Angeles' defense can add to Arizona's recent offensive misery. It's part of our exhaustive NFL Week 7 predictions. 

My early Chargers vs. Cardinals prediction: Chargers -2.5

NFL picks made Tuesday; odds subject to change. Our NEW NFL player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Chargers -2.5

Best odds: | Implied probability: 54.13%

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I featured the Chargers in my NFL Week 7 against the spread picks. Their 10th-ranked defense, according to PFF, should wreak havoc on a Cardinals team that is out of sync offensively.

Arizona has scored more than 14 points in only one of its last four games. Aside from that surprising 24-point outburst in San Francisco, the Cardinals scored 13 against the Detroit Lions, 14 versus the Washington Commanders, and 13 in Green Bay against the Packers. Only one of those defenses (the Lions) is ranked higher than 16th. 

Meanwhile, the Chargers allow the fewest points per contest (13.2), making Arizona's task even more daunting. 

Cardinals defense not picking up the slack

Arizona's sputtering offense certainly isn't getting any help from its defense. While the Cardinals have played some pretty formidable offenses, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has found it nearly impossible to stop the bleeding.

They allow 27.2 points per game, tied for the fifth-most with the Las Vegas Raiders.

They have the 23rd-ranked defensive DVOA and have allowed 10 passing touchdowns (tied for the sixth-most). The pass defense, tied with three other teams, allows the second-most yards per pass attempt (8.1), while the run defense concedes the fourth-most yards per game (153) and 4.7 yards per carry, tied for the ninth-most. 

Nobody is suggesting the Chargers are an offensive juggernaut. But their ground game—which has produced the 10th-most yards per game (127.8)—and passing attack are more than competent enough to cause the Cardinals' porous defense problems. 

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Chargers vs. Cardinals live odds

See the NFL odds from our best NFL betting sites for every Week 7 game.

Moneyline

  • Chargers best odds: -142 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 58.68%
  • Cardinals best odds: +128 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 43.86%

Moneyline prices range from -142 to -150, with a win probability range of 58.68% to 60%. The profit for -142 is $7.04 on a winning $10 bet, while you'll earn $6.67 on the -150 odds. 

DraftKings offers the best price at -142, while bet365 has -150 odds, the worst of our best sports betting apps. I expect the odds to shorten further in the coming days, with most sportsbooks aligning with bet365's -150 odds.  

Spread

  • Chargers best odds: -2.5 (-118) via DraftKings
  • Cardinals best odds: +2.5 (+105) via Ceasars

Four of our five  favor the Chargers by 2.5 points. BetMGM, the only outlier, has the Chargers as 3-point favorites at -105. Prices for the -2.5-point line range from -118 at DraftKings to -125 at Caesars, a profit difference of $.47 on a winning $10 bet. 

While the win probability varies between 2.5 points (51.22% at -105) and 3 points (54.13% at -118), the key number of 2.5 allows the Chargers to win by a field goal. 

That's a valuable buffer, especially given the slightly higher probability of a lower-scoring game. The Chargers are defensive specialists and haven't scored more than 26 points, while the Cardinals' offense has struggled in the last month.

I feel the spread will increase to -3 or -3.5 across the board in the Chargers' favor during the coming days, another reason I'm snagging the 2.5-point line.  

Over/Under

  • Over best odds: 44 (-110) via bet365
  • Under best odds: 44 (-110) via bet365

I'm backing the Under, so 44 is the total that appeals most. FanDuel is the only sportsbook offering 43.5, with the Under at -105. BetMGM, Caesars, and bet365 offer -110 on Under 44 points, while DraftKings provides a slightly steeper price at -112. 

Given the Cardinals' recent offensive struggles (not scoring more than 14 points in three of the last four games), and the fact that the Chargers allow the fewest points (13.2), I don't see the total increasing much, if at all, in the lead-up. I can't see the public jumping on the Over bandwagon despite the Cardinals owning the 29th-ranked defense.

How to watch Chargers vs. Cardinals

  • When: Monday, Oct. 21
  • Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
  • How to watch: ESPN+, FOX
  • Weather: Indoor stadium
  • Favorite: Chargers (-142 via DraftKings)

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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.