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Saints vs. Chargers Preview and Predictions in NFL
NFL Previews 24th August 2018 By Charles Jay for Scores And Stats
by Charles Jay Scores & Stats on 08/24/2018
The New Orleans Saints took on a different character last season, turning to the backfield more and taking the defense to a different level. Right now you would have to say they have as good a chance as anybody to win the NFC South division. However, if they want to duplicate that success they had with running backs, they'll need somebody to step and perform in place of the suspended Mark Ingram.
The Los Angeles Chargers are more settled into their new home, and even though it's small, that doesn't mean it is the coziest place in the world for them. More often than not, the visiting team has had more fans in the audience, and they hope that will change when they move into the permanent home in Inglewood. But for now, this is a pretty talented team that almost made the playoffs in 2017 and is worth rooting for - even if you don't know them that well.
All NFL Football Previews
The Saints and Chargers will meet at the StubHub Center on Saturday night. Last week New Orleans lost 20-15 at home to the Arizona Cardinals, while the Chargers redeemed themselves for a loss to Cards in the opening week with a 24-14 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
TV: 8 PM ET, Local Coverage, NFL Network (replay). LINE: Chargers -2.5, O/U: 43.5
ABOUT THE SAINTS: It looks very much as if Jonathan Williams is going to be the back teaming with Alvin Kamara in the early part of the season, as Ingram, the former Heisman Trophy winner, sits out his four-game suspension. They like the former Buffalo Bil enough that they released Terrance West, who's had plenty of NFL experience. Drew Brees sat out the first two games of the schedule, and since he always likes to get some crisp action in during the pre-season, he'll likely see quite a bit of action against the Chargers. As for the backup situation, that may not be resolved as of yet. Taysom Hill, who the Saints picked up when the Green Bay Packers left him basically unprotected on the practice squad last year, had two interceptions and lost two fumbles last week, and that isn't encouraging, no matter what kind of spin anyone would like to put on it. There is a flipside to this, however; Hill, who once had 259 yards on the ground for BYU against Texas, has run for 95 yards from scrimmage and completed 79% of his passes during this pre-season. Tom Savage is someone who has had NFL starting experience - nine games' worth, in fact - but he is limited. And J.T. Barrett, who ran Urban Meyer's spread option offense so well at Ohio State, is raw and may not ever be able to develop an NFL arm. For what it's worth, two Saints offensive linemen - starting tackle Ryan Ramczyk and reserve Will Clapp - were named to the pre-season "Team of the Week" by the respected analytics site Pro Football Focus. The Saints are +115 to win the NFC South, +850 to capture the conference title and +1350 to win Super Bowl 53.
ABOUT THE CHARGERS: Philip Rivers made his first pre-season outing a successful one, completing six of his seven attempts. There would still appear to be competition to be the backup, and Geno Smith had the advantage, throwing for 85 yards while Cardale Jones was three of four for 27 yards and was sacked twice. The Bolts had 176 yards on the ground against Seattle; rookie Detrez Newsome of Western Carolina led the way with 78. There is a place-kicking battle, we suppose, and that is not to be unexpected when a team is last in the league in field goal percentage, as the Chargers were in 2017. Caleb Sturgis was signed to a free agent contract, and Los Angeles also picked up Roberto Aguayo, which is a surprising move considering that his inconsistency in the NFL has been remarkable. Head coach Anthony Lynn has not ruled out the possibility that he could keep two kickers on the roster. Rivers and Drew Brees have been close for a long time, ever since Rivers got to San Diego when Brees was the starting QB. Of course, Brees left town two seasons later and wound up in New Orleans, and the rest is history, for both guys. They do conduct a skills challenge between quarterbacks of the Saints and Chargers; last year the Chargers won it, and this year the result hasn't been determined as of press time. The Chargers are even money to win the AFC West, +850 to capture the AFC crown and +1750 to win Super Bowl 53.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Saints unveiled the newest member of their "Saintsations" cheerleading squad, and it's a "he." Jesse Hernandez is the first male in the group, but part of a growing league-wide trend, as the NFL strives for "political correctness" when it comes to addressing the "objectification" of women.
2. J.T. Barrett, battling to stick with the Saints, cleared the way for Charger backup QB Cardale Jones to be a hero when he got hurt prior to the Big Ten Championship game in 2014. Jones started that game and both of the playoff games - against Alabama and Oregon - to secure Ohio State and Urban Meyer a national championship.
3. L.A.'s Mike Williams, the seventh pick in the 2017 draft out of Clemson, caught only eleven passes in an injury-plagued rookie season, but connected for a 25-yard reception and is bound for more action. He'll make the Chargers' receiving corps even more formidable if he's healthy.
PREDICTION: Chargers 24, Saints 17
NFL Previews 24th August 2018 By Charles Jay for Scores And Stats
by Charles Jay Scores & Stats on 08/24/2018
The New Orleans Saints took on a different character last season, turning to the backfield more and taking the defense to a different level. Right now you would have to say they have as good a chance as anybody to win the NFC South division. However, if they want to duplicate that success they had with running backs, they'll need somebody to step and perform in place of the suspended Mark Ingram.
The Los Angeles Chargers are more settled into their new home, and even though it's small, that doesn't mean it is the coziest place in the world for them. More often than not, the visiting team has had more fans in the audience, and they hope that will change when they move into the permanent home in Inglewood. But for now, this is a pretty talented team that almost made the playoffs in 2017 and is worth rooting for - even if you don't know them that well.
All NFL Football Previews
The Saints and Chargers will meet at the StubHub Center on Saturday night. Last week New Orleans lost 20-15 at home to the Arizona Cardinals, while the Chargers redeemed themselves for a loss to Cards in the opening week with a 24-14 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
TV: 8 PM ET, Local Coverage, NFL Network (replay). LINE: Chargers -2.5, O/U: 43.5
ABOUT THE SAINTS: It looks very much as if Jonathan Williams is going to be the back teaming with Alvin Kamara in the early part of the season, as Ingram, the former Heisman Trophy winner, sits out his four-game suspension. They like the former Buffalo Bil enough that they released Terrance West, who's had plenty of NFL experience. Drew Brees sat out the first two games of the schedule, and since he always likes to get some crisp action in during the pre-season, he'll likely see quite a bit of action against the Chargers. As for the backup situation, that may not be resolved as of yet. Taysom Hill, who the Saints picked up when the Green Bay Packers left him basically unprotected on the practice squad last year, had two interceptions and lost two fumbles last week, and that isn't encouraging, no matter what kind of spin anyone would like to put on it. There is a flipside to this, however; Hill, who once had 259 yards on the ground for BYU against Texas, has run for 95 yards from scrimmage and completed 79% of his passes during this pre-season. Tom Savage is someone who has had NFL starting experience - nine games' worth, in fact - but he is limited. And J.T. Barrett, who ran Urban Meyer's spread option offense so well at Ohio State, is raw and may not ever be able to develop an NFL arm. For what it's worth, two Saints offensive linemen - starting tackle Ryan Ramczyk and reserve Will Clapp - were named to the pre-season "Team of the Week" by the respected analytics site Pro Football Focus. The Saints are +115 to win the NFC South, +850 to capture the conference title and +1350 to win Super Bowl 53.
ABOUT THE CHARGERS: Philip Rivers made his first pre-season outing a successful one, completing six of his seven attempts. There would still appear to be competition to be the backup, and Geno Smith had the advantage, throwing for 85 yards while Cardale Jones was three of four for 27 yards and was sacked twice. The Bolts had 176 yards on the ground against Seattle; rookie Detrez Newsome of Western Carolina led the way with 78. There is a place-kicking battle, we suppose, and that is not to be unexpected when a team is last in the league in field goal percentage, as the Chargers were in 2017. Caleb Sturgis was signed to a free agent contract, and Los Angeles also picked up Roberto Aguayo, which is a surprising move considering that his inconsistency in the NFL has been remarkable. Head coach Anthony Lynn has not ruled out the possibility that he could keep two kickers on the roster. Rivers and Drew Brees have been close for a long time, ever since Rivers got to San Diego when Brees was the starting QB. Of course, Brees left town two seasons later and wound up in New Orleans, and the rest is history, for both guys. They do conduct a skills challenge between quarterbacks of the Saints and Chargers; last year the Chargers won it, and this year the result hasn't been determined as of press time. The Chargers are even money to win the AFC West, +850 to capture the AFC crown and +1750 to win Super Bowl 53.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Saints unveiled the newest member of their "Saintsations" cheerleading squad, and it's a "he." Jesse Hernandez is the first male in the group, but part of a growing league-wide trend, as the NFL strives for "political correctness" when it comes to addressing the "objectification" of women.
2. J.T. Barrett, battling to stick with the Saints, cleared the way for Charger backup QB Cardale Jones to be a hero when he got hurt prior to the Big Ten Championship game in 2014. Jones started that game and both of the playoff games - against Alabama and Oregon - to secure Ohio State and Urban Meyer a national championship.
3. L.A.'s Mike Williams, the seventh pick in the 2017 draft out of Clemson, caught only eleven passes in an injury-plagued rookie season, but connected for a 25-yard reception and is bound for more action. He'll make the Chargers' receiving corps even more formidable if he's healthy.
PREDICTION: Chargers 24, Saints 17
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