There’s nothing quite like a Monday Night Football doubleheader. Top it off with a solid matchup between the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals, and it truly is tough to beat. Both the Chargers and Cardinals have playoff aspirations in 2014 and won’t take kindly to the possibility of starting the new season off with a loss. Only one can emerge victorious, though, so let’s break down both sides and see who that might be.
San Diego is the road team in a mega value, as this prime time game has an average price of just $118.91 on the secondary market with a $33 get-in price. The game features a ton of big time playmakers. Those playmakers are of serious concern to the Bolts, as they boast one of the league’s worst pass defense from a year ago. They did make adjustments by drafting Jason Verrett and bringing on Brandon Flowers, but proving they can stop Arizona’s salty pass offense will be key in trying to win this game. On offense, Philip Rivers and co. are to thank for the selling of Chargers tickets and should pick up right where they left off in 2013, as they can go toe to toe with the Cards if need be. While it should be an exciting game, the secondary market price is 18% below the season average for games at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Arizona was 10-6 a year ago and didn’t make the playoffs, but will have their sights set on doing exactly that this year. That may prove to be difficult with a seemingly barren defense, however, as stud linebacker Daryl Washington (suspension) and Darnell Dockett (injury) are lost for the year. The Cards will be out to prove they are still elite on that side of the ball, though, which brings the Chargers solid offense to town as a stiff test in front of the nation. Arizona is pretty rock solid on the other side of the ball, as Carson Palmer and the passing game sell Arizona Cardinals tickets all on their own.
With both defenses having clear adjustments needing to be made, it’s entirely possible we’ll have a Monday Night Football shootout on our hands. That probably leads to this game being a bit of a toss up, but should at the very least provide killer value for those attending the game and could be an early contender for the best game on the Cardinals schedule.
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