Mike LaFleur rolled into SoFi Stadium and did what no Arizona Cardinals coach had managed in more than five decades. He not only won his head coaching debut, he absolutely stunned the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 on Sunday. This wasn’t just some regular win, folks. LaFleur became the first Cardinals coach to win their debut since Don Coryell pulled it off back in 1973 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Talk about a statement game! This victory also slammed the door shut on an ugly nine-game losing streak that haunted Arizona through the end of the 2025 season. Starting the new year with one of Week 1’s biggest upsets? Yeah, that’s how you turn heads.
A Total Team Effort That Shocked Everyone
This wasn’t some one-man show, either. The Cardinals got contributions from everywhere, proving they weren’t just lucky. Jacoby Brissett, making his first season opener as Arizona’s starter, was rock solid, slinging it for 277 yards and one touchdown. He leaned heavily on Trey McBride, who was an absolute beast, catching nine passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. McBride was that reliable, middle-of-the-field option they desperately needed to keep drives alive. And shoutout to rookie running back Jeremiyah Love! He made an immediate impact, scoring a five-yard touchdown on only his third NFL carry. That quick glimpse of explosiveness? It showed exactly why he was one of the most intriguing rookies coming into the season. Plus, Chad Ryland kept the scoreboard ticking, converting four field goals to gradually build that crucial advantage. Brissett avoiding those boneheaded, costly mistakes that plagued the Chargers? That was the real game-changer, especially in the fourth quarter.
Defense and Special Teams Seal the Deal
When it came down to crunch time, Arizona’s defense and special teams delivered the defining plays. Simi Fehoko blocked a punt in the fourth quarter, gifting the Cardinals a short field to work with. Then, just to put the nail in the coffin, Andrew Wingard picked off Justin Herbert, shutting down another Chargers opportunity cold. Herbert finished with a measly 209 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Oof. To add insult to injury for the Chargers, Ladd McConkey left late in the third quarter with a chest injury after catching five passes for 82 yards and a score.
The Cardinals walked into that road game carrying the weight of last season’s misery, facing Herbert and a tough Chargers squad. Many thought LaFleur’s tenure would start rough. Instead, they looked prepared, disciplined, and totally comfortable when things got tight. Does one win make them a playoff lock? Nah, not yet. But it absolutely screams that the problems of 2025 won’t automatically drag down this new season. LaFleur came to create a different path, and winning his debut, doing something no Cardinals coach has done in 53 years, is one heck of a way to start. What a crazy opener!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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