The New Orleans Saints are traveling to SoFi Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. There are some interesting similarities between these teams. Both squares are looking to run the football. Expect a heavy dosage of Alvin Kamara and J.K. Dobbins. The critical matchups are heavily influenced by this.

This will not be an All-World matchup between receivers and cornerbacks. Spencer Rattler will have Chris Olave, and Justin Herbert will have…

Defensively, each team should key in on stopping the run. The team who is able to win those matchups will be the one who is a step closer to victory. It's hard to think the weight of that statement benefits the struggling Saints run defense.

These are the critical matchups in the Saints Week 8 matchup.

Khalil Mack vs. Taliese Fuaga

The rookie left tackle struggled a bit last week giving up a pair of sacks. This week he’ll have to go toe to toe with Khalil Mack. Mack is still a formidable pass rusher who is coming off a season with 17 sacks. Fuaga will have his hands full as he attempts to take on that task. Keeping Spencer Rattler clean will be a critical part of the offensive success

Demario Davis vs. J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins is the only running back seeing a large amount of carries and the only averaging more than 3 yards a carry.There is no bigger battle for the Saints defense than attempting to stop the run. The Saints have missed a lot of tackles this season, but they lowered that number last week. They’ll have to keep that trend going against the Chargers. Davis will be lead the charge in stopping Dobbins.

Chris Olave vs. Cam Hart

The Chargers secondary is beat up with injuries, and it has pushed Hart into the starting lineup. Kristian Fulton may play but he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. Olave appears to be on track to returning this week. This will be his first piece of extended action with Spencer Rattler. This should benefit the rookie.

Cesar Ruiz vs. Poona Ford

Ruiz is returning to the lineup for the first time since Week 3. His return will be crucial. The Chargers haven’t generated much pressure outside of their edge defenders. Ruiz will be critical to fortifying the pass blocking, but possibly more important, he’ll open run lanes for Alvin Kamara. Ford has seen a lot of double teams this year and hasn’t done a great job stuffing the run or rushing the passer.

Carl Granderson vs. Joe Alt

Fuaga isn’t the only rookie offensive tackle in this game. Joe Alt was the first lineman off the board, and just like Fuaga he flipped sides from his collegiate position. At right tackle, he’ll primarily see Carl Granderson against him. Granderson is the Saints top pass rusher, but that won't intimidate Alt. Early in his career, Alt has already faced elite pass rushers such ass Maxx Crosby and T.J. Watt and held his own.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Critical matchups to watch in Saints vs. Chargers Week 8 game