New Orleans Saints Face Off Against LA Chargers

As the New Orleans Saints (2-5) prepare to battle the LA Chargers (3-3), fans can expect an intriguing showdown on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EDT, broadcasted on FOX. The Chargers have been favored by a touchdown in this matchup, reflecting the challenges both teams have faced recently.

Against the spread, the Saints hold a record of 2-4-1, while the Chargers are even at 3-3. Historically, the Chargers lead the series with a 7-6 advantage, although the Saints triumphed in their last encounter, pulling out a 30-27 overtime victory in New Orleans back in October 2020.

In their most recent games, the Saints suffered a significant loss to the Denver Broncos, with a final score of 33-10, while the Chargers fell short against the Arizona Cardinals, losing 17-15. Both teams will be looking to bounce back as they head into Sunday’s game.

On the offensive side, the Saints have struggled overall, ranking 21st in the league. Their rushing game ties for 19th place, while their passing and scoring are also ranked at 21 and 11, respectively. Conversely, the Chargers find themselves in a similar boat, sitting at 25th overall in offense, with rushing at 18th and passing at 24th, sharing the 26th position in scoring.

Defensively, the Saints have had a rough time, currently sitting at 32nd overall—their rush defense ranks 29th, and their pass defense is 28th. On the other hand, the Chargers boast a formidable defense, standing 7th overall, with rankings of 9th in rush defense and pass defense, and they lead the league in scoring defense.

Looking at the statistics, the Saints have a turnover differential of plus-2, while the Chargers have fared better with a differential of plus-6. Key players will be essential to keep an eye on during this matchup.

Running back Alvin Kamara has emerged as a standout player for the Saints, accumulating 438 rushing yards with six touchdowns and contributing 34 receptions for 252 yards and one touchdown, highlighting his pivotal role in the offense. Recently, he also secured a two-year contract extension worth $24.5 million.

For the Chargers, running back J.K. Dobbins is a player to watch, as he looks to regain momentum following strong performances earlier in the season. The Saints’ struggling defense, which has allowed 502 rushing yards over the past two games, may provide Dobbins the opportunity he needs to shine.

In terms of matchups, the performance of the Chargers’ wide receivers against the Saints’ secondary could define the game. Given the injury challenges and inconsistent play among the receivers, the Chargers might consider acquiring additional talent before the trade deadline if they do not see improvement against a weak pass defense.

Several injuries could also impact the game significantly. Saints quarterback Derek Carr remains sidelined with an oblique injury and missed practice this week. Guard Nick Saldiveri is dealing with a shoulder issue, while wide receiver Chris Olave, who started the week in concussion protocol, returned to practice on a limited basis. Back on the injury front, cornerback Marshon Lattimore suffered a hamstring injury last week but was back in practice.

For the Chargers, wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston missed practice due to injuries sustained, while D.J. Chark Jr. participated in a limited capacity. Tight end Will Dissly is also nursing a shoulder injury.

Historically, the Saints have had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning four consecutive games against the Chargers, all while scoring over 30 points in those contests. This Sunday marks the first time the Chargers will host the Saints at home since relocating to Los Angeles in 2017, where they previously played six games against New Orleans in San Diego.

Statistically speaking, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler had an impressive outing last week with 206 yards (172 passing, 34 rushing) and an 82.1 rating, potentially making his first NFL road start if Carr remains unavailable. Meanwhile, Kamara leads all running backs in receptions and is closing in on a significant milestone for catches by a running back over the first eight seasons. Additionally, wide receiver Olave has consistently posted impressive yardage in road games this season.

In the fantasy landscape, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has struggled but might be in a position to turn things around against a Saints defense allowing five touchdown passes this season. As such, Herbert is seen as a high-risk yet potentially high-reward addition for fantasy lineups this week.