In a tough, physical battle, the Arizona Cardinals edged out the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-17, in a game defined by scrappy play and missed opportunities. Running back James Conner was the difference-maker, leading the Cardinals to victory with his game-changing plays that kept Arizona in the fight despite a sluggish offensive performance overall.
James Conner delivered one of his best performances of the season, rushing for 132 yards on 18 carries, including a pivotal touchdown that helped swing momentum in favor of the Cardinals. His ability to power through defenders and make big plays on crucial downs kept Arizona’s offense alive during critical moments.
“James carried us today,” said Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. “We needed someone to step up, and he did exactly that.”
Conner’s performance wasn’t just about yards, but about timing. His powerful runs in the second half allowed the Cardinals to control the tempo of the game and helped keep the Chargers’ offense off the field.
Despite Conner’s strong showing, the Cardinals’ offense struggled throughout much of the game. Quarterback Kyler Murray had a quiet outing, throwing for just 186 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. The Chargers’ defense managed to limit Murray’s mobility, forcing Arizona to rely heavily on Conner and their ground game.
The Cardinals also suffered from penalties that killed several drives and slowed their progress. However, they found ways to capitalize when it mattered, with Conner being their go-to player in key moments.
The Los Angeles Chargers had multiple opportunities to take control of the game but failed to execute at crucial moments. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Keenan Allen on a 15-yard touchdown pass that briefly gave the Chargers the lead in the second quarter.
However, the Chargers’ inability to finish off drives and costly mistakes—such as a missed 43-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker in the fourth quarter—ultimately sealed their fate.
“We had the game right there in front of us and didn’t finish,” said Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. “We’ve got to be better in these key situations.”
Arizona’s defense played a critical role in the victory, containing Herbert’s explosive offense and creating turnovers at crucial moments. Budda Baker came up with a game-saving interception late in the fourth quarter, preventing the Chargers from driving down the field for a potential game-winning score.
The defense also applied consistent pressure on Herbert, sacking him twice and disrupting the Chargers’ rhythm, especially in the second half.
With the win, the Cardinals improved their record to 4-3, staying in the playoff hunt in the competitive NFC West. They will face another tough test next week when they go up against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Chargers, now 2-5, are left searching for answers after another disappointing loss. With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Chargers will look to rebound in a high-stakes matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.
Game Stats at a Glance:
- James Conner (ARI): 18 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD
- Kyler Murray (ARI): 17/31, 186 yards, 1 INT
- Justin Herbert (LAC): 24/38, 268 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Keenan Allen (LAC): 7 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
- Budda Baker (ARI): 1 interception, 6 tackles
James Conner’s key plays and the Cardinals’ stout defense proved to be the winning formula in this hard-fought victory over the Chargers.
