Chargers vs. Cardinals results: San Diego cruises to 24-7 victory

San Diego picked up its first preseason win of the year.

By Connor Moylan Aug 25, 2013, 1:12am EDT

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The San Diego Chargers picked up their first win of the preseason, besting the Arizona Cardinals 24-7 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Philip Rivers did not impress, completing 10 of 18 passes for 71 yards and one interception. The quarterback did help lead the Chargers offense on a 13-play, 92-yard drive that resulted in a Ryan Mathews 1-yard touchdown. Antonio Gates caught two passed during the drive, finishing the game with three receptions for 29 yards.

San Diego scored its second touchdown on a broken play. Mathews fumbled the ball on the one-yard line and Rashad Johnson recovered the ball. Johnson attempted to lateral the ball to Sam Acho, will led to a second fumble:

Carson Palmer went 12 of 23 for 122 yards and one touchdown for the Cardinals. Palmer's touchdown pass came in the third quarter, a 16-yard toss to Michael Floyd to cap off a seven-play, 70 yard drive.

Arizona's first-round draft pick, left guard Jonathan Cooper, had to be carted off the field with an apparent ankle injury.

Did they cover?

The Chargers entered the game as 4-point favorites and easily covered the spread.

What's next?

The Cardinals close out the preseason against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on Aug. 29. The Chargers play their final preseason game on the same night against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium.