Staff picks: Bold predictions and final score for Saints-Chargers
We've got our staff picks, bold predictions and final score for Sunday's game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. The Chargers are hoping to get back in the win column after falling to 3-3, while the Saints are just looking for a win to end their five-week losing streak. Both teams have lengthy injury reports but it's the Saints who are sharing more good news each day. That just might make the difference.
How do you see this one playing out?
The Saints have struggled to stop the run. The Chargers are looking to run the football. That is a bad combination for New Orleans. The Chargers limited receiving threats make them one dimensional at times, but Justin Herbert just threw for 300 yards with that limited crew. The Chargers ability to run the ball will swing the game in their favor. Bold prediction: This is Spencer Rattler’s first game without an turnover. Chargers 23, Saints 17. -- Darrion Gray
As this team is starting to get back many of their key players, I definitely expect the Saints to be competitive in this one. With reinforcements on the offensive line and Taysom Hill and Chris Olave back into the mix, I fully expect the Saints find the offense they’ve been missing for the past few weeks now. With that said, I’m still very skeptical with the team’s run defense especially going against one of the leagues top rushing offenses. As much as I want to believe that this team can finally put one together after some rough weeks, I just can’t pick them to win until we see improvement in that area. Bold Prediction: Saints force three turnovers on defense. Chargers 16, Saints 14. -- Luke Loffredo
One of the strongest units in the NFL this season has been the Los Angeles Chargers defense, which ranks 3rd best in passing yards allowed and 7th-best in rushing yards allowed. However, their own offense may be without both Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey pending their injury status, as well as Hayden Hurst, Derius Davis, and Will Dissly who are all listed on the injury report as well. With the New Orleans Saints starting to finally get healthy again, my expectation is they are able to hold off defensively and make this a defensive slugfest, despite recent struggles. Bold prediction: the Saints don’t allow more than 14 points in this game. Saints 19, Chargers 13. -- Jeremy Trottier
Things could hardly be more abysmal for the Saints in a season that seemingly has been a series of new lows by the week. Between a shorty defense, issues at quarterback with Derek Carr going down and the inability to consistently get things going on offense, New Orleans looks lost right now with plenty of question marks and not a whole lot of answers. Both teams have had their struggles and injury problems, but Los Angeles is the better team. Chargers 23, Saints 16. -- Crissy Froyd
I like the Saints to end their losing streak this week. Jim Harbaugh is a good coach but his team can't get out of their own way, and they're just as heavily-injured as the Saints are. New Orleans has had to make some personnel changes and that could lead to greater success defensively, while the offense is getting healthy. My bold prediction? Chris Olave catches double-digit passes for the black and gold. Saints 24, Chargers 21. -- John Sigler
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Staff picks: Bold predictions and final score for Saints-Chargers