MNF Preview: Chargers vs. Saints odds, picks, & predictions

The Los Angeles Chargers are headed to New Orleans for a Monday-night clash with the Saints.

Let's dive in and figure out what to bet in this Monday Night Football showdown in the NFL.

The Chargers are looking to bounce back from a tough, come-from-ahead loss to the Buccaneers last weekend, which was their third defeat in a row. The Saints will look to stay level with the Bucs atop the NFC South.

How will the Chargers respond?

The Chargers led the Bucs 24-7 with just 1:37 remaining in the first half, but they allowed a touchdown just before the break, after they fumbled inside their 10-yard line on a running play, instead of taking a knee.

They were then outscored, 24-7, after the break. Los Angeles allowed nearly 500 yards of offense and gave up 28 first downs.

Quarterback Justin Herbert played well, with 290 yards and three touchdowns through the air, but the Chargers were unable to establish their ground game, with just 46 yards on 23 carries. They lost running back Austin Ekeler late in the first quarter, which made that task difficult. Ekeler will also miss Monday night’s game.

Saints offense showed up last week — at times

After they fell behind, 14-0, to the Lions on Sunday, the Saints scored five straight touchdowns to take a 35-14 lead in the third quarter. However, the offense then ground to a halt, and the defense had to hold on for a six-point victory.

The Saints took home the win despite having six out of the lineup, including star wide receiver Michael Thomas. Quarterback Drew Brees played well, with 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns passing, and running bakcs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray combined for 147 yards and three touchdowns against a porous Lions run defense.

Team	Passing Yards	Rushing Yards	Passing Yards allowed	Rushing yards allowed
Los Angeles	275.0 (7th)	125.3 (11th)	263.0 (25th)	110.8 (15th)
New Orleans	251.0 (17th)	120.0 (12th)	236.3 (15th)	97.5 (7th)

 

The concerning aspect for the Saints was that their the defense allowed 29 points to the Lions. They gave up 14 points inside the first five minutes, and the Lions only had the ball for just more than 23 minutes.

Chargers vs. Saints injury report

Along with Ekeler, who is expected to land on the IR with his hamstring injury, Los Angeles will likely be without offensive-line starters Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner, who both missed practice Thursday. Wideout Mike Williams is also doubtful, with a hamstring injury, while defensive end Joey Bosa continues to deal with multiple injuries and is a question for Monday.

For the Saints, both Thomas and tight end Jared Cook were limited in practice, but the team hopes to have them back for this week’s game. However, questions abound for multiple other starters on both sides of the ball, including cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins, Justin Hardee, and Marshon Lattimore; offensive linemen Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk; and defensive ends Trey Hendrickson and Marcus Davenport. 

Chargers vs. Saints betting trends

The Chargers have lost six of their last seven games, but they have covered in two of their last three games — both times the underdog. However, they have failed to cover in four of their last five against the Saints. The total has gone Under in four of their last six contests but has gone Over in five of their last six road games.

New Orleans has covered in 13 of its last 19 games and won 14 outright. But the Saints have only covered in two of their last seven home games. The total has gone Over in six of their last seven games and in each of their last five against the Chargers.

The Chargers are getting solid play from Herbert, and given the injuries and poor play on the defensive side of the ball, it is quite likely that he will be able to move the offense down the field. Eight points is a lot to give, especially since the Saints have not scored more than 35 in any game this season and have allowed at least 29 in their last three.

While the Saints should win the game, the Chargers have proven to be a pesky team that won’t quit. The Chargers have covered or pushed in 11 of their last 14 games as an underdog, a trend that will continue this week.

Score prediction: Saints 31, Chargers 24

Picks: Chargers +8, Over 50.5

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