The Week 7 Monday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals brings together two teams with different trajectories this season. The Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, are 3-2 and competing for playoff positioning in the AFC. On the other side, the Cardinals, with a 2-4 record, are trying to rebound after a series of frustrating losses. The Chargers have looked sharp this season, primarily thanks to the steady play of Herbert, who has thrown for over 1,200 yards and six touchdowns through five games. The team’s running game, led by J.K. Dobbins, has provided balance to their offense, while their defense, featuring Joey Bosa and Derwin James, has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks. The Chargers’ defense ranks in the top half of the league in points allowed, helping to keep games close.

Arizona, meanwhile, has had a difficult season so far. The return of Kyler Murray from injury hasn’t provided the spark many expected. He has thrown for over 1,000 yards but has struggled with turnovers, which has derailed the Cardinals’ offensive drives. Their running game, led by James Conner, has been solid, but it hasn’t been enough to cover for their inconsistencies through the air. This game will likely come down to the ability of the Cardinals’ offense to break through against a tough Chargers defense. If Murray can limit his mistakes and take advantage of some of the mismatches against the Chargers’ secondary, Arizona could keep the game competitive. However, given how well the Chargers have played both offensively and defensively, they are favored to win this matchup.