The Arizona Cardinals opened the 2026 NFL season with an impressive 26–14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on September 13, 2026, at SoFi Stadium. Arizona entered the matchup looking to start a new era under head coach Mike LaFleur, and the Cardinals delivered a balanced performance on both sides of the ball. The win also ended Arizona’s nine-game losing streak from the 2025 season.
The Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers match player stats highlight Jacoby Brissett’s efficient passing, Trey McBride’s strong receiving performance, and a productive defensive effort. Brissett threw for 277 yards and one touchdown, while McBride caught nine passes for 95 yards and a score. Justin Herbert finished with 209 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception as Los Angeles struggled to sustain momentum.
Final Score and Match Details
Arizona controlled the game for much of the afternoon and finished with a 26–14 victory. The Cardinals scored seven points in the first quarter, added six in the second, three in the third, and 10 in the fourth. Los Angeles matched Arizona’s opening-quarter touchdown but could not keep pace during the second and fourth quarters.
The Cardinals also dominated time of possession and offensive volume. Arizona ran 72 plays compared with 51 for Los Angeles and held the ball for 37:31. The Chargers had only 22:29 of possession, making it difficult for their offense to build consistent pressure late in the game.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers |
| Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| Final Score | Cardinals 26, Chargers 14 |
| Week | NFL Week 1 |
| Cardinals Record | 1–0 |
| Chargers Record | 0–1 |
Team Statistics
Arizona finished with 393 total yards, while Los Angeles produced 268. The Cardinals averaged 5.5 yards per play and ran 34 rushing plays, compared with 21 rushing attempts by the Chargers. Arizona’s ability to control possession and maintain longer drives helped keep Herbert and the Chargers’ offense on the sideline.
Turnovers also favored Arizona. The Cardinals committed none, while Los Angeles turned the ball over twice. Arizona’s defense forced an interception from Herbert and recovered a fumble from rookie running back Omarion Hampton. Those plays helped the Cardinals protect their lead during the second half.
| Team Stat | Cardinals | Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 393 | 268 |
| Plays | 72 | 51 |
| Yards per Play | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Rushing Plays | 34 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Possession | 37:31 | 22:29 |
| Penalties | 8 | 7 |
| Penalty Yards | 111 | 64 |
Jacoby Brissett Leads Arizona
Jacoby Brissett delivered a strong performance in his first regular-season game with Arizona. He completed 27 of 37 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. His accurate passing allowed the Cardinals to keep drives alive while avoiding the costly mistakes that affected Los Angeles.
Brissett also contributed 14 rushing yards on six carries. His most important passing play came in the fourth quarter when he connected with Trey McBride for a three-yard touchdown. That score pushed Arizona’s lead to 23–14 and gave the Cardinals control of the closing stages.
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Passing Yards | TD | INT | Rush Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacoby Brissett | 27/37 | 277 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Justin Herbert | 17/27 | 209 | 1 | 1 | 29 |
Justin Herbert’s Chargers Performance
Justin Herbert completed 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed five times for 29 yards. Although his numbers were respectable, the Chargers struggled to turn possessions into points after their opening touchdown. Arizona’s defense repeatedly forced Los Angeles into difficult situations.
Herbert’s interception became especially costly because Arizona protected its lead without committing a turnover of its own. The Chargers also lost a fumble when Omarion Hampton put the ball on the ground. Those mistakes contributed to a difficult offensive afternoon for a team that entered the season with high expectations.
Trey McBride Leads the Receivers
Trey McBride was Arizona’s leading receiver and one of the biggest stars of the game. He caught nine passes for 95 yards and one touchdown. His 27-yard reception was his longest of the afternoon, while his three-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter helped Arizona create a two-score advantage.
Kendrick Bourne also made an impact with eight receptions for 75 yards. Michael Wilson added five catches for 56 yards. The Cardinals did not need one explosive receiver to carry the offense because Brissett consistently distributed the football across the passing game.
| Receiver | Team | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey McBride | ARI | 9 | 95 | 1 |
| Kendrick Bourne | ARI | 8 | 75 | 0 |
| Michael Wilson | ARI | 5 | 56 | 0 |
| Ladd McConkey | LAC | 5 | 82 | 1 |
| David Njoku | LAC | 5 | 58 | 0 |
| Oronde Gadsden II | LAC | 2 | 32 | 0 |
Jeremiyah Love Scores First NFL Touchdown
Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love provided an important early moment for Arizona. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a five-yard run in the first quarter, giving the Cardinals an early 6–0 lead before Chad Ryland’s extra point. Love finished with 11 carries for 41 yards.
Tyler Allgeier led Arizona in rushing with 17 carries for 61 yards. Love’s contribution was still significant because the Cardinals used multiple runners to keep their ground attack active. Together, the running backs helped Arizona control the pace and keep its offense balanced throughout the game.
| Rusher | Team | Carries | Rushing Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Allgeier | ARI | 17 | 61 | 0 |
| Jeremiyah Love | ARI | 11 | 41 | 1 |
| Jacoby Brissett | ARI | 6 | 14 | 0 |
| Omarion Hampton | LAC | 12 | 43 | 1 |
| Justin Herbert | LAC | 5 | 29 | 0 |
| Keaton Mitchell | LAC | 4 | 9 | 0 |
Chargers Receiving Leaders
Ladd McConkey was the Chargers’ leading receiver, catching five passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. His 23-yard reception was his longest play, and he caught Herbert’s eight-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. McConkey left the game after taking a hit and was later reported to be undergoing testing for a rib injury.
David Njoku finished with five receptions for 58 yards, while Oronde Gadsden II added two catches for 32 yards. Los Angeles moved the ball at times, but the offense could not maintain its rhythm after McConkey’s touchdown. Arizona’s defense tightened up during the decisive fourth quarter.
Key Scoring Moments
Arizona struck first when Love scored on a five-yard rushing touchdown. The Chargers answered with an eight-yard rushing touchdown from Omarion Hampton, making the score 7–7 after the first quarter. Arizona then relied on Ryland’s kicking to regain control, with field goals of 27 and 44 yards during the second quarter.
Ryland added a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter before Herbert connected with McConkey for an eight-yard touchdown. That made the score 16–14, but it was the Chargers’ final touchdown. McBride’s fourth-quarter touchdown and Ryland’s 49-yard field goal allowed Arizona to finish the game with a 12-point victory.
Cardinals Defense and Special Teams
Arizona’s defense played a major role in the upset. The Cardinals limited Los Angeles to 268 total yards and forced two turnovers. Will Johnson recovered Hampton’s fumble, while Andrew Wingard intercepted Herbert late in the game. Those defensive plays prevented the Chargers from building a late comeback.
Special teams also produced a major momentum swing. Simi Fehoko blocked a Chargers punt, helping Arizona maintain pressure during the second half. Chad Ryland then converted four field goals and finished with 14 points, making him one of the game’s most important contributors.
Turning Point of the Game
The decisive stretch came late in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles had already reduced the deficit to two points earlier in the second half, but Arizona responded with McBride’s touchdown and then added Ryland’s 49-yard field goal. That sequence transformed a competitive game into a comfortable Cardinals advantage.
Arizona’s clean turnover sheet was another major difference. The Cardinals did not give the Chargers any free possessions, while Los Angeles committed two turnovers. With Arizona also controlling the clock, the Chargers had limited opportunities to recover after falling behind in the final quarter.
Final Match Summary
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 26–14 to begin the 2026 season with a victory. Brissett threw for 277 yards and a touchdown, McBride produced nine catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Love scored his first NFL touchdown. Arizona also received four field goals from Ryland and a strong defensive performance.
For Los Angeles, Herbert finished with 209 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. McConkey delivered 82 receiving yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury. The Chargers will need to improve their offensive consistency and protect the football after beginning the season 0–1, while Arizona can build on an impressive road victory.
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