Cardinals Lead at Halftime vs. Chargers

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GLENDALE -- After going back and forth with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Arizona Cardinals currently lead at halftime 17-14.
Arizona won the toss and deferred until the second half, allowing Justin Herbert and company the opportunity to possess the ball first.
The Chargers appeared to be on their way to potentially entering scoring territory before a J.J. Watt sack on third down forced an LA punt.
Marquise Brown wasted no time reintroducing himself to State Farm Stadium, reeling in an 11-yard reception to move the chains for Arizona on their first play from scrimmage.
Two plays later, James Conner would put the ball on the ground for a Chargers fumble recovery near midfield.
However, Cameron Thomas would end LA's drive by bringing Herbert down for their second sack in two drives.
Arizona would punch the scoreboard first on their ensuing drive after DeAndre Hopkins found the end zone via a 33-yard touchdown reception to give Arizona their first lead of the game.
DeAndre Hopkins catches
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
DeAndre Hopkins runs
DeAndre Hopkins scores
📺: #LACvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zq8Igx8Ckq pic.twitter.com/BjMVcVOcvt
Arizona would finish with possession of the ball after fifteen minutes of play, as the Chargers went just 1-of-4 on third down offensively in the first quarter.
Los Angeles would tighten up defensively, forcing Matt Prater to knock through a 43-yard field goal to extend Arizona's lead to 10-0 in the first minute of the second quarter.
It wouldn't take long for the Chargers to respond, marching down the field on a 11-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a two-yard Keenan Allen touchdown to put LA down 10-7 with 8:51 left in the half.
Easy 6️⃣ from Herbert to @Keenan13Allen #BoltUp
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
📺: #LACvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zq8Igx8Ckq pic.twitter.com/YCi7yDseDe
The Cardinals, facing a fourth-and-short on their own 34-yard line, opted to take a shot down the left sideline rather than handing the ball off to Conner. Derwin James would come down with an interception to give the Chargers the ball inside opposing territory.
He already has a forced fumble today. And now @DerwinJames did this 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
📺: #LACvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zq8Igx8Ckq pic.twitter.com/cbLXYvSnca
Five plays later, DeAndre Carter would give Los Angeles their first lead of the game.
DeAndre Carter gives the @Chargers the lead #BoltUp
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
📺: #LACvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zq8Igx8Ckq pic.twitter.com/zawh7CZRgi
After driving down the field in the final seconds of the first half, Murray scrambled and found daylight towards the left pylon, scoring on a five-yard touchdown run to put Arizona back in front 17-14 with just six seconds remaining.
A @K1 touchdown run!
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022
📺: #LACvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zq8Igx8Ckq pic.twitter.com/yhx2PSW4mZ
The Cardinals will receive the ball to get things going in the second half.
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Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!
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