The Arizona Cardinals’ Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers wasn’t built only on the obvious standouts. In Mike LaFleur’s first game as head coach, Arizona got exactly what it needed from the players who don’t usually grab the spotlight, and that’s a big reason the Cardinals walked out at 1-0 after a game that featured contributions in all three phases.
Yes, Trey McBride delivered with nine catches for 95 yards and a touchdown, and Mack Wilson Sr. added six tackles plus a pass defensed. But the real edge came from a deeper group of contributors who kept the offense moving, stiffened the defense and swung special teams at the right moments.
Kendall Bourne was a perfect example on offense. He caught all eight of his targets for 75 yards, with five of those receptions moving the chains.
Bourne’s energy has been visible in the receivers room, but on Sunday he was also a steady outlet for an Arizona attack that kept finding him early and often while the Chargers focused their attention elsewhere, including Marvin Harrison Jr. Bourne doesn’t sit near the top of the Cardinals’ pecking order with McBride, Harrison and Michael Wilson ahead of him, but he was a major part of keeping the offense on schedule.
On defense, Akeem Gibbens made his first start next to Wilson after beating out Cody Simon in camp and looked like he belonged there. The free agent played all but one snap and led the Cardinals with seven tackles, while also recording half a sack. Arizona wanted another athletic presence beside Wilson to round out its front seven, and Gibbens gave them exactly that.
The defensive line did its part too, even if the workload was spread around. Walter Nolen III drew double and triple teams, which opened space for Darius Stills, Calais Collier and Lopez to make noise in the backfield.
Stills logged a key sack on Justin Herbert just before halftime, while Collier and Lopez helped in run support. As a group, Arizona held the Chargers to 3.9 yards per attempt on the ground.
Marcus Melton also made his presence felt. He led both teams with two passes defensed and continued a strong rebound in his third season after being benched late last year.
With Garrett Williams out and Will Johnson already established, Melton stepped in as a boundary cornerback and handled the role well. His speed was already part of his profile, but the two breakups suggested more is coming.
Special teams delivered one of the biggest swings of the afternoon. Michael Fehoko blocked a punt early in the fourth quarter with the Cardinals clinging to a two-point lead, setting up the Trey McBride touchdown that pushed Arizona out of reach. Fehoko played 15 special teams snaps, just two fewer than the team leaders, and made the most of the role that earned him a spot on the active roster.
Then there was Jalen Wingard, who may be more “new” than unsung, but in his first start next to Budda Baker he had a real impact. He finished with four tackles, including two for loss, and a pass defensed. His biggest moment came when he shoved a Chargers blocker into running back Omarion Hampton, forcing a fumble that Arizona recovered.
The Cardinals got the win with star power, sure. But the kind of opener they just authored usually comes from the guys who do the dirty work, the hidden work, the stuff that shows up on film and on the scoreboard long after the headlines are written.
In Other News...
Former Cardinals Pick BJ Ojulari Just Got Another NFL Chance
BJ Ojulari is getting another shot in the NFL, this time with the Jacksonville Jaguars after a stop in Arizona that never really got off the ground. The former Cardinals outside linebacker arrived as a second-round pick in 2023, but a knee injury quickly derailed his momentum and kept him from establishing the kind of role the team had envisioned for him.
Now the Jaguars are taking a chance on a player whose talent still made him worth a look after Arizona moved on from him before the 2024 season. Jacksonville appears to be adding him in response to an edge-rush need after Week 1, giving Ojulari a fresh path to prove he can still carve out a place in an NFL pass rush. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Get An Early Edge As Seahawks QB Situation Shifts
Sam Darnolds unexpected injury has already added an early wrinkle to the NFC West race, and it lands right in the Cardinals path. Seattles quarterback was hurt on a soft-tissue glute injury in Week 1 and is expected to sit out at least the Week 2 meeting with Arizona, shifting the pressure onto the Seahawks before the division schedule has really gotten rolling.
Mike Garafolo has suggested the recovery could stretch toward four weeks, though Seattle may choose to move carefully with its starter rather than rush him back. For now, Drew Lock is lined up to take over, giving Arizona a chance to face a different look under center in a game that could matter early in the division standings. [Read more 🡒]
Mike LaFleur Just Put Trey McBride In Rare Company
Mike LaFleurs first win as a head coach gave him plenty to talk about, but he also made sure to single out one of the Cardinals most important offensive pieces. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, LaFleur praised Trey McBrides mental and physical toughness, his ball skills and the way he leads, painting a picture of a tight end who already does plenty of heavy lifting for Arizona and still has more room to grow.
LaFleur went a step further by comparing McBrides ability to control the pace of a play to Luka Doncic, which is rare company for any pass catcher. The bigger takeaway for the Cardinals is what came next: LaFleur said McBride is still improving, a reminder that Arizona may be watching its top tight end enter the kind of stretch where the ceiling keeps creeping higher. [Read more 🡒]