NFL Opening Week: Predicting All 16 Games As Pro Football Returns

San Diego Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals

Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) in the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The match-up: The San Diego Chargers finished 9-7 to earn the final playoff spot last season. The Chargers would make it past the first round before falling to Denver. Head coach Mike McCoy brought out the Phillip Rivers of old who threw for 4,478 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2013. The Cardinals had a 10-6 season in Bruce Arians first season as head coach. That still was not good enough to make the playoffs. Carson Palmer had an up and down year in 2013, throwing for 4,274 yards and 24 touchdowns but adding 22 interceptions.

Why San Diego will win: It took the Chargers until week 17 to clinch their playoff spot and after that played as though they had nothing to lose. The momentum they received by winning in the playoffs against Cincinnati will prove invaluable. I don’t feel as though a single player will be a key for them to win, but rather a specific mindset will be what could give them the victory.

Why Arizona will win: Arians is a great offensive mind. In Pittsburgh he was a lame duck and a source of frustration for many fans. His fill in job in 2012 for Indianapolis when Chuck Pagano was battling leukemia put him on the map and showed teams that he was a great football mind. The Cardinals were viewed as contenders for years, but it took Arians mind for them to get over the hump.

Final score: Cardinals 33 Chargers 23