The Arizona Cardinals are rolling into Week 1 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers with a whole new look, and honestly, a whole lot to prove. They’re coming off a season where their rushing attack was flat out abysmal, ranking 31st in the league and averaging a measly 93.1 yards a game. Now, new head coach Mike LaFleur is bringing in an offense designed to run the ball, but they’re kicking off against a Chargers team that was a playoff squad last year, finishing 11-6-0 under Jim Harbaugh, and rocking the league’s #5 overall defense.
LaFleur’s New Vision Faces a Brick Wall
Mike LaFleur took over as head coach with a clear plan: fix this offense. His playbook from his time as OC for the 2025 Los Angeles Rams speaks for itself: #1 in total offense, #1 in passing, #7 in rushing, #1 in scoring, and #7 in Red Zone efficiency. That’s a powerhouse! For Arizona, he’s bringing in a system built on a short passing game, using multiple tight ends, and, most importantly, a consistent rushing attack. The commitment is real, evident by them using the third overall draft pick on a stud running back when elite pass rushers were still on the board. But here’s the kicker: they’re starting three new offensive linemen. That unit absolutely has to gel immediately against a Chargers defense that was #5 against the pass and #8 against the run last year, averaging just 285.2 combined yards per game. Talk about a trial by fire for Week 1.
Can a Balanced Rushing Attack Emerge?
The Cardinals’ rushing game was a serious problem last year, and their red-zone scoring, at just 54.1%, suffered right along with it. LaFleur knows this has to change for them to be competitive, especially against a stout defense like the Chargers. The plan is a balanced rushing attack, and the bulk of carries will likely fall to Tyler Allgeier. But all eyes are on rookie Jeremiyah Love. The dude was picked high for a reason, but he’s been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain during the preseason. He returned to practice today in a limited capacity, which is a positive step, but his availability and effectiveness are big question marks. If Love isn’t 100%, that’s a huge blow to the “consistent rushing attack” LaFleur is banking on. The team needs their running game to produce and let their quarterback play game manager against the Chargers.
This Week 1 showdown is huge for the Cardinals, an early test to see if LaFleur’s new offensive vision can actually get off the ground. Can they establish that balanced run game, get their new offensive line to play like a single unit, and keep Love healthy enough to contribute? We’ll find out Sunday when they face Jim Harbaugh’s tough Chargers squad. It’s going to be a battle, and every yard will be earned.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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