Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers
Kickoff: 4:25 PM
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Match Facts
- League
- National Football League
- Week
- Week 1
- Date
- 09/13/2026
- Venue
- SoFi Stadium
The Los Angeles Chargers open the 2026 season at home, hosting the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, September 13, for a Week 1 showdown. The Chargers finished last season at 11-6 and second in the AFC West, while the Cardinals stumbled to 3-14 and the bottom of the NFC West. With both sides looking for a fresh start, the opener offers a clean slate in Inglewood.
The Chargers allowed just 340 points last season while the Cardinals gave up 488, a 148-point gap that could shape the afternoon in Inglewood.
Season form
Arizona enters the season having lost each of its final five games in 2025/26, finishing 3-14 with a last-five stretch of L-L-L-L-L. Los Angeles went 11-6 but closed with three straight defeats, though the Chargers did beat Dallas and Kansas City in succession before that skid. The contrast in momentum is clear, and both teams will look to set a new tone on opening day.
Offense and defense
The Chargers scored 368 points to Arizona’s 355, but the real separation came on the other side of the ball. Los Angeles allowed 340 points, while Arizona conceded 488. Arizona threw for 3,955 yards and 29 touchdown passes, adding 1,583 rushing yards and nine rushing scores; the Chargers answered with 2,154 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, plus 3,728 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes. Los Angeles also brought more pressure, tallying 50 sacks against Arizona’s 30.
Head-to-head history
The two franchises have no prior meetings on record, making this the first documented matchup between them. With no shared history to draw on, the Week 1 game becomes a true first impression for both sidelines.
Week 1 stage
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood hosts the opener with a 4:25 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, September 13. The Chargers enjoy home-field advantage in the 2026 season opener, and the Cardinals will try to spoil the party on the road.
When and where do the Cardinals and Chargers play in Week 1?
The Chargers host the Cardinals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, September 13, with a 4:25 p.m. kickoff.
What were the two teams’ records last season?
The Arizona Cardinals finished 3-14 in 2025/26, while the Los Angeles Chargers went 11-6.
How did each team close its last season?
The Cardinals lost all five of their final games. The Chargers lost three straight before beating Dallas and Kansas City.
Have the Cardinals and Chargers ever met before?
No prior meetings are on record, so this Week 1 matchup is their first documented encounter.
What was the key defensive difference between the teams?
Los Angeles allowed 340 points last season, while Arizona gave up 488, a gap of 148 points.
Next Match
Week 1 · SoFi Stadium · Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers
Regular Season NFL match-ups by week 272 games ▾
▼ Week 1 16 games
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Thu, Sep 10 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Mon, Sep 14 |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 2 16 games
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Thu, Sep 17 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Mon, Sep 21 |
▼ Week 3 16 games
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Thu, Sep 24 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Mon, Sep 28 |
▼ Week 4 16 games
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Thu, Oct 1 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Mon, Oct 5 |
▼ Week 5 15 games
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Thu, Oct 8 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Mon, Oct 12 |
▼ Week 6 14 games
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Thu, Oct 15 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Mon, Oct 19 |
▼ Week 7 14 games
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Thu, Oct 22 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Mon, Oct 26 |
▼ Week 8 14 games
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Thu, Oct 29 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Mon, Nov 2 |
▼ Week 9 15 games
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Thu, Nov 5 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Mon, Nov 9 |
▼ Week 10 14 games
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Thu, Nov 12 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Mon, Nov 16 |
▼ Week 11 13 games
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Thu, Nov 19 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Mon, Nov 23 |
▼ Week 12 16 games
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Wed, Nov 25 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Fri, Nov 27 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Mon, Nov 30 |
▼ Week 13 14 games
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Thu, Dec 3 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Mon, Dec 7 |
▼ Week 14 15 games
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Thu, Dec 10 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Mon, Dec 14 |
▼ Week 15 16 games
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Thu, Dec 17 |
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Sat, Dec 19 |
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Sat, Dec 19 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Mon, Dec 21 |
▼ Week 16 16 games
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Thu, Dec 24 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Sat, Dec 26 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Mon, Dec 28 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 17 16 games
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Thu, Dec 31 |
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Sat, Jan 2 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Mon, Jan 4 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 18 16 games
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Sun, Jan 10 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |