The Los Angeles Chargers opened their 2026 season at home, and it did not go the way their fans hoped. The Arizona Cardinals came to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and left with a 26-14 win. The win came under new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur, who became the first Cardinals coach to win his debut since Don Coryell in 1973. It was a game full of big plays, a rookie debut, and a few costly mistakes that changed the outcome. In this article, we will look at the full player stats from the game, the key moments, and what both teams need to fix before their next matchup.
Game Overview
The game was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the attendance was 70,540 fans. The Chargers, who finished the 2025 season with an 11-6 record, were hoping for a strong start to 2026. Instead, the Cardinals, who were coming off a rough 3-14 season in 2025, were the ones celebrating.
One of the biggest storylines going into the game was the debut of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love. Love was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and this was his first regular-season game for the Cardinals. He did not disappoint, scoring a touchdown early in the first quarter.
The Chargers had chances to win this game, but a few key mistakes hurt them badly. Coach LaFleur led his new team to victory in the very same stadium where he worked as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator just one year earlier, before Arizona hired him in February. That made the win even more special for the first-year head coach.
How the Scoring Happened
The game started fast, with both teams scoring touchdowns on their opening drives. Here is how the points added up, quarter by quarter.
First Quarter
The Cardinals struck first. Arizona put together an 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run from rookie Jeremiyah Love. The Chargers answered right away. Omarion Hampton capped off a 77-yard scoring drive with a touchdown run of his own, tying the game. After one quarter, the score was tied 7-7.
Second Quarter
This is where the Cardinals started to pull ahead. Kicker Chad Ryland made two field goals in the second quarter, a 27-yarder and a 44-yarder. By halftime, Arizona led 13-7. The Chargers had a chance to answer but could not find the end zone again before the break.
Third Quarter
Ryland kept kicking. He hit another field goal, this one from 34 yards, to stretch the Arizona lead to 16-7. The Chargers finally got back into the game when Justin Herbert connected with Ladd McConkey on an 8-yard touchdown pass, cutting the gap to 16-14 late in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter turned into a nightmare for the Chargers. Arizona blocked the Chargers’ punt and took over at the Chargers’ 3-yard line. Just two plays later, Trey McBride scored a short touchdown to make it 23-14. Chad Ryland added a fourth field goal to finish off the scoring, giving him four field goals on the day, with his only miss coming on a 54-yard attempt that hit the right upright in the second quarter. The final score stood at 26-14, and the Chargers could not find a way back into it.
Arizona Cardinals Player Stats
The Cardinals’ win was a real team effort, with contributions from the passing game, the running game, and special teams.
Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback
Brissett had a solid game leading the new-look Cardinals offense. He threw for 277 yards and one touchdown. After the game, Brissett said he was happy the team was able to go on the road and get a win. His ability to move the ball through the air kept the Chargers’ defense guessing all afternoon.
Tyler Allgeier, Running Back
Allgeier was the lead ball carrier for Arizona, picking up 61 yards on 17 carries. He did not find the end zone, but his steady running helped Arizona control the clock and keep drives alive.
Jeremiyah Love, Running Back
The rookie made his presence felt in his very first NFL game. Love scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, giving Cardinals fans an early look at why he was picked so high in the draft. A strong debut like this is a great sign for his future in the league.
Trey McBride, Tight End
McBride was Brissett’s favorite target on the day. He caught 9 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, showing once again why he is one of the top tight ends in the NFL. His short touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, right after the blocked punt, was a big momentum swing in the game.
Chad Ryland, Kicker
Ryland was nearly perfect, making four field goals from 27, 44, 34 yards, and one more in the fourth quarter. His only miss all game was a tough 54-yard attempt. His scoring kept adding points even when the offense stalled in the red zone.
Los Angeles Chargers Player Stats
The Chargers had some good individual performances, but it was not enough to overcome the mistakes that piled up during the game.
Justin Herbert, Quarterback
Herbert threw for 209 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He connected with Ladd McConkey for a touchdown in the third quarter that briefly gave the Chargers hope. However, his interception in Arizona territory late in the game hurt the Chargers’ chances of a comeback.
Omarion Hampton, Running Back
Hampton had a strong debut season opener, rushing for 43 yards on 12 carries and scoring a touchdown. His 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter tied the game early and showed he can be a reliable part of the Chargers’ running game this season.
Ladd McConkey, Wide Receiver
McConkey was Herbert’s top target, catching 5 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. His 8-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter cut the Cardinals’ lead and kept the Chargers within reach for a while.
Cameron Dicker, Kicker
Dicker made both of his extra point attempts after the Chargers’ two touchdowns, doing his job cleanly even though the offense could not generate more scoring chances.
What Went Wrong for the Chargers
A few costly plays made the difference in this game. The blocked punt that gave Arizona the ball at the Chargers’ 3-yard line was a huge turning point. It turned what could have been a close, competitive fourth quarter into a two-score deficit that was hard to overcome. Herbert’s interception in Arizona territory also killed a Chargers drive that could have brought them closer or even given them the lead.
The Chargers also struggled with their offensive line last season, allowing 60 sacks during their 11-6 2025 campaign. If protection issues carry over into 2026, it could be a long year for Justin Herbert and the passing offense.
What Went Right for the Cardinals
For a team that finished 3-14 the year before, this was exactly the kind of start Arizona needed. New head coach Mike LaFleur got his first win, the defense made a game-changing play with the blocked punt, and rookie Jeremiyah Love showed he can contribute right away. Jacoby Brissett looked comfortable running the offense, and Trey McBride continued to prove he is one of the best tight ends in football. Chad Ryland’s kicking was the difference maker, adding points even when the offense could not punch the ball into the end zone.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Cardinals will host the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks next Sunday, a tough test right after a big road win. Meanwhile, the Chargers will look to bounce back at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. Both teams will want to learn from this Week 1 matchup. Arizona will try to build on the momentum from a strong debut win, while Los Angeles will try to fix the mistakes, especially the blocked punt and turnovers, that cost them their season opener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Chargers vs Cardinals game?
The Arizona Cardinals won the game 26-14 over the Los Angeles Chargers. The game was played on September 13, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Who had the best stats in the Chargers vs Cardinals game?
Trey McBride had the best receiving stats with 9 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Jacoby Brissett led all passers with 277 yards. On the Chargers’ side, Justin Herbert threw for 209 yards and a touchdown, and Ladd McConkey caught 5 passes for 82 yards and a score.
How did Jeremiyah Love perform in his NFL debut?
Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter of his very first NFL game. It was an exciting start for the rookie running back and a good sign for his future with the Cardinals.
