Monday, September 8, 2014, 10:20 PM, ESPN

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

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The San Diego Chargers will see if their quiet offseason was a mistake or if quarterback Philip Rivers and Co. can lead them back to the playoffs. In their Week 1 opener, they will visit the Arizona Cardinals, who made big changes during free agency and the draft.

The San Diego Chargers were able to ride a four-game winning streak into the playoffs last year, but they ended up losing by seven points to the Denver Broncos in the second round. Rivers threw for nearly 4500 yards last season, but the defense gave up nearly the same amount of passing yards.

The Chargers were able to retain most of their key free agents while also adding running back Donald Brown to help out the offense. They didn't have the best draft, but first rounder Jason Verrett should slot into one of the cornerback positions right away.

The Arizona Cardinals were unlucky not to go to the playoffs last year after finishing with a solid 10-6 record in the tough NFC West. They had the best defense against the run in 2013, but their offense had a hard time moving the ball on the ground.

The Cardinals signed one of the best offensive tackles available in Jared Veldheer, but they also lost cornerbacks Javier Arenas and Antoine Cason. In the draft, they did very well in the first three rounds by grabbing positions of need.

Tony's Pick: Take Arizona

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