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Swanson: Chargers waste chance to seize L.A. spotlight from Rams after a debacle of an opener

The Los Angeles Chargers stumbled right out of the gate in their 2026 campaign, dropping a disappointing Week 1 home matchup at SoFi Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite entering the year riding high on championship aspirations, head coach Jim Harbaugh's squad struggled to generate momentum on the field.

The loss proved especially deflating against an Arizona team that had dropped nine straight contests to close out the previous season and featured Jacoby Brissett at the helm.

Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's newly installed system failed to find its groove, as quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense committed costly fourth-quarter miscues in an uncharacteristically messy performance reported at 26-14 (and alternately 28-16). The lackluster display squandered an early opportunity for the franchise to claim metropolitan football supremacy from the crosstown Rams.