Mike LaFleur Wins Coaching Debut as Cardinals Upset Chargers 26-14

Arizona defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 on Sunday, marking the first time a full-time Cardinals coach won his debut since 1973.

The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday afternoon, securing the biggest Week 1 NFL upset since 2018. Entering the contest as 8.5-point underdogs, Arizona handed Mike LaFleur his first career victory, making him the first full-time Cardinals head coach to win his debut since Don Coryell in 1973. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett led the offense in the victory at Inglewood, California.

According to ESPN Research, this result represents Arizona's largest upset since a Week 17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. The Cardinals also became the first team since at least 1990 to win a Week 1 game after entering the season with a DraftKings win total of 3.5 or lower. Following the win, the team's odds to win the NFC West moved from +10000 to +4500.

LaFleur noted that he does not look at betting odds or the point spread, emphasizing a focus on the team's internal process rather than external results. The victory surpassed the 2018 Tampa Bay win over New Orleans as the league's most significant opening-week upset in terms of betting lines. The Cardinals now prepare for their next matchup as LaFleur urged the roster to reset for Monday's work.