NFL Preseason Odds: Saints at Chargers (Sunday, August 20)

The New Orleans Saints head out to sunny California for their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. The Saints took it on the chin from the Cleveland Browns last Thursday, losing 20-14 as the Browns put up 13 points in the fourth period to seal the win.

The Chargers opened their temporary stay at StubHub Center in fairly depressing fashion. The Seattle Seahawks put up 34 points in the first half en route to a 48-17 pasting of the Bolts. Both teams look to improve in the preseason’s second week; but who stands the best chance to win this match according to the latest 2017 NFL preseason betting odds? Let’s find out in this game preview.

NFL Preseason Odds: Saints at Chargers (Sunday, August 20)

When: Sunday, August 20, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Where: StubHub Center, Carson, CA
TV: NFL Network
Radio: WWL 870 AM New Orleans / KFI 640 AM Los Angeles
Live Stream: NFL Live
NFL Odds: Los Angeles -3, O/U 43

Why should you bet on the Saints?

Did you know that the Saints have now lost 10 preseason games in a row? It didn’t look like the Saints’ offensive line made it onto the plane to Cleveland, as the Browns strip-sacked Saints quarterback Ryan Nassib on two separate occasions. Nassib and Garrett Grayson, the two understudies to Drew Brees, played reasonably well, going 21 for 30 combined and breaking the 100-yard barrier. Their favorite target was Tommylee Lewis, who caught 10 balls for 124 yards and a score. Adrian Peterson, along with Brees, did not appear in this opener, so if they show up for a few series and give the Saints some momentum, the Saints should get a better outcome.

We knew the Saints would struggle on defense. What we didn’t know is that they would give up 184 yards in the air to Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer. The Browns don’t really have a run-and-gun offense, but they were able to move the ball against New Orleans. If you like New Orleans in this game, you see their secondary shutting down the always dangerous Philip Rivers a week after struggling against a rookie from Notre Dame.

Why should you put your money on the Chargers?

Four quarterbacks took snaps for the Chargers against Seattle, and they combined for a woeful 15 for 31 performance. Kellen Clemens led the way, going 4 for 10 for 100 yards, but 75 of those came on one touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin. Unfortunately, Benjamin would only catch one other pass, and those two receptions would tie for the team lead. Quarterback Cardale Jones was the leading rusher with 18 yards, which shows you how much work the San Diego running game needs to do.

The Chargers did sack the Seahawk quarterbacks twice last week. The only problem is that they didn’t cover down the field at all, as Seattle passers went 22 for 28 for a whopping 325 yards. Things really got out of hand when the benches emptied, as the combined score over the last three quarters was 38-3 in favorite of the visitors. If you like the Chargers, you see them doing a better job in pass coverage against a New Orleans team that admittedly struggled to move the ball against a very inexperienced Browns defense. The Chargers definitely need a boost after taking that shellacking in their first game back up Interstate 5.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction This game is a real wash. You have two teams with aging but dangerous quarterbacks, not much of a rushing game (although we’ll see what Adrian Peterson has to bring in New Orleans) and a Swiss-cheese defense. It’s kind of like one team playing its mirror image. I see the Chargers figuring things out at home and giving the Saints their 11th straight preseason setback, winning 30-24. If you like to bet on the point total, consider the “over” here, given how poorly both defenses play.