Chargers @ Cardinals Week 12 Game Preview
Let’s just declare whichever team has the healthier roster the winner in this matchup between the Chargers and Cardinals, both likely missing key players.
Chargers (-3.0) at Cardinals – 48 total
Let’s just declare whichever team has the healthier roster the winner and go home. Neither squad has left the field without losing a player mid-game over the last few weeks. However, we did see a positive shift for the Chargers in their loss to Kansas City last week.
We all know Justin Herbert has a cannon attached to his right shoulder. But it’s useless without his top receivers. From Weeks 8 through 10, Herbert’s 5.9 air yards per attempt were the third-worst among all starters. It was up to 7.9 yards with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams back on the field.
Williams’ status doesn’t look good for Sunday. But Joshua Palmer stepped in with a team-high ten targets. Los Angeles is a three-point road favorite, lending credence to the idea that we’re in for a similar game environment. You don’t need us to tell you to start Austin Ekeler or Keenan Allen. But Palmer’s usage makes him a solid flex option against the Cardinals.
Kyler Murray will be back under center for Arizona, but his receiving options are up in the air. Marquise Brown’s return may be in a limited fashion. Plus, neither Rondale Moore nor Greg Dortch have practiced. It’s a “one step forward, two steps back” situation for the Cardinals, but James Conner (and DeAndre Hopkins, of course) can keep the offense on track.
The Chargers are 29th in rushing EPA allowed, with five running backs totaling 100-plus yards against them this season. Some envisioned a split with Keontay Ingram after Eno Benjamin’s release. However, Conner accounted for all but one carry until Trace McSorley took over for Colt McCoy in the fourth quarter. Conner’s bell-cow role may be the key to the Cardinals getting back on track in Week 12.