NFL football is a game of inches, but when you look at the Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals matchup, it feels more like a game of bizarre coincidences and "did that really just happen?" moments. Honestly, if you watched their last meeting in late 2024, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It wasn't just a football game; it was a masterclass in how to gain nearly 400 yards of offense and still not score a single touchdown.
It’s kinda wild. You’ve got two of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the league—Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray—and yet, their head-to-head battles often turn into defensive grinds or special teams showcases.
The Night Offense Went to Die in Glendale
Let’s talk about that October 21, 2024, game. If you’re a Chargers fan, you probably still have a headache. Justin Herbert threw for 349 yards. That’s a monster stat line. But the Bolts ended up with 15 points. How? Because Cameron Dicker, "Dicker the Kicker," had to do literally everything. He tied a franchise record with a 59-yard bomb and hit four others.
But field goals don't win games when the other team has a human joystick at quarterback.
Kyler Murray didn't have a "good" game by traditional passing standards—only 145 yards through the air—but he broke the Chargers' back with a 44-yard touchdown run where he looked like he was playing a different sport than everyone else on the field. The Cardinals walked away with a 17-15 win as time expired.
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What really killed the Chargers that night wasn't just the lack of red-zone execution. It was the "weirdness" factor. Jalen Reagor caught a 41-yard pass and fumbled it out of the end zone for a touchback. Teair Tart intercepted a pass and immediately fumbled it back to the Cardinals. It was just one of those nights where the universe decided the Chargers weren't allowed to have nice things.
A History of One-Score Heartbreaks
Historically, this hasn't been a massive rivalry. They play in different conferences, so they only see each other every few years. But when they do, it’s almost always a nail-biter.
- 2022: The Chargers won a 25-24 thriller where Brandon Staley (remember him?) went for two at the end of the game to seal it.
- 1987: This is the one the old-timers talk about. The Chargers led 28-0. The Cardinals (then in St. Louis) scored 24 unanswered points. They were a dropped pass away from the biggest road comeback in history.
- The Overall Record: The Chargers actually lead the series 11-5, but that doesn't tell the whole story of how close these games usually feel.
The Cardinals have this "bend-but-don't-break" identity that seems specifically designed to frustrate the Chargers' high-volume passing attack. In that 2024 matchup, Arizona's defense allowed 395 total yards but held the Chargers to 0-for-1 in the red zone. That’s basically the definition of "frustrating."
Herbert vs. Murray: The Clash of Styles
You couldn't ask for two more different prototypes. Justin Herbert is the 6'6" pocket passer with a literal cannon for an arm. Kyler Murray is the 5'10" (on a good day) speedster who makes defenders look like they're running in sand.
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When people search for Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals, they’re usually looking for who has the edge. Honestly? It’s a toss-up. Herbert is more consistent. He’s going to give you 300 yards and high-level decision-making. But Murray has a "ceiling" that most players can't touch. He can be invisible for three quarters and then win the game with two plays.
Key Stat Comparison (2024 Matchup)
| Player | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | 349 | 7 | 0 |
| Kyler Murray | 145 | 64 | 2 (1 Pass, 1 Rush) |
The Cardinals won that game because they found the end zone. The Chargers lost because they found the 20-yard line and stopped.
The Harbaugh Factor and the 2026 Outlook
Jim Harbaugh’s first season with the Chargers brought a lot of "toughness" talk, but the Cardinals game was his first real reality check on Monday Night Football. He was 6-0 on Monday nights before that game. Arizona broke the streak.
Looking ahead, we already know these two will meet again in 2026. The NFL’s rotating schedule means the AFC West and NFC West will clash, and the Chargers are slated to host the Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. By then, we’ll be looking at a very different landscape. Will Marvin Harrison Jr. be the best receiver in the league? Will the Chargers finally have a run game that doesn't disappear in the second half?
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What to Watch for Next Time
If you're betting on this matchup or just setting your fantasy lineup, keep these three things in mind:
- The Red Zone is King: The Chargers have a historical tendency to stall out. If they haven't fixed their short-yardage packages, the Cardinals' defense will eat.
- Contain the Scramble: Any defensive coordinator facing Kyler Murray will tell you that the game plan starts and ends with "mush rushing"—don't let him get outside the tackles. The Chargers failed that test in 2024.
- The James Conner Effect: People forget how much of a load James Conner carries. In the last win over LA, he had 152 total yards. He’s the engine that lets Kyler be Kyler.
Basically, don't expect a blowout. Whether it's in Glendale or Los Angeles, these teams are built to play close, ugly, and unpredictable games.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on attending the 2026 matchup at SoFi Stadium, start tracking the inter-conference standings early. These games often serve as "tie-breaker" indicators for strength of victory later in the season. For fantasy owners, Justin Herbert is usually a "start" based on volume, but Kyler Murray is the "high-upside" play due to his rushing floor. Always check the injury report for the Chargers' offensive line; as we saw in 2024, if Herbert doesn't have time to let deep routes develop, the offense becomes a series of Dicker field goals.
Keep an eye on the NFL schedule release in May 2026 for the exact date and time of the next installment. Until then, the Cardinals hold the bragging rights in a series that continues to be one of the weirdest "non-rivalries" in football.