All eyes will be on Kyler Murray this coming Thursday in Glendale, where the first-overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft and the Arizona Cardinals will host the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. Will Murray succeed in his preseason debut in the NFL? Or will the Bolts shock the Cards? The Chargers are +220 to win the AFC West, while the Cardinals are +2200 to win the NFC West.
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Betting Preview for the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL Preseason Week 1 Game on August 8, 2019
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale
When: Thursday, August 8, 2019, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Chargers(+2) vs. Arizona Cardinals (-2) – view all 2019 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on Los Angeles Chargers (0-0)
Despite lack of playoff success, the Chargers still fully trust quarterback Philip Rivers, though, they wouldn’t be letting him see any action against the Cardinals. If he does, it’s going to be a very limited appearance. What the Chargers would rather see much of is how the backfield will perform, especially with running back Melvin Gordon still holding out, as of this writing. Should Gordon miss some games in the regular season, the Chargers would be having a ground attack led by Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. Ekeler is ahead of the depth chart, but Jackson has shown enough potential in a few games last season to be considered as a possible starter in case Gordon sits out. Also in danger of missing at least Week 1 of the regular season is offensive lineman Russell Okung, who is one of the best QB protectors in the league today. Rookies Trey Pipkins and Blake Camper are going to be featured heavily against Arizona, with the Chargers looking at both youngsters’ potential to man the left tackle slot.
The over is 3-1 in the Chargers’ last four preseason games.
Betting on Arizona Cardinals (0-0)
The Cardinals are finally set to debut their new starting quarterback and head coach in Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury, respectively. Arizona is hoping that these shiny changes will help right the ship of the team, but it’s going to take some time for major improvements to manifest themselves. Kingsbury is dreaming of a high-octane offense for the Cardinals, the same way he did for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the college ranks. For Murray to have success right out of the gate of his NFL career, he’ll need much better protection than the one Arizona gave Josh Rosen in 2018, when the Cardinals were fifth in the NFL with 52 sacks allowed. Along with Murray is rookie wide receiver Andy Isabella, whom Arizona selected 62nd overall in this year’s NFL Draft, so he’s going to be among the players to watch for the Cardinals this coming Thursday.
The Cardinals are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last four preseason games.
Writer’s Prediction
Cardinals win, 24-21.
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