Saints vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
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Nik Kowalski
Several joint practices leading up to Sunday’s game will likely confirm that the starters will sit this one out. Both teams’ starters have been facing off in joint practices with physical contact a.k.a tackling is forbidden.
Both clubs picked up victories last week, with New Orleans walking off Kansas City by a score of 26-24 and Los Angeles doubling up their fellow L.A. team in the Rams 34-17.
Kickoff at SoFi Stadium begins at 7:05 p.m. EDT with the Saints a three-point favourite and the total at 37 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
That New Orleans is a rare pre-season road favourite has much to do with their quarterback experience and depth. Former first-overall draft pick Jameis Winston is likely to get the start for the Saints while Easton Stick is set to open the game under centre for L.A.
Both clubs had their Week 1 pre-season outings finish over the total and both covered the spread. The Saints are 9-0 in their last nine clashes with the Chargers and have covered in seven of the nine wins. Eleven of these teams’ last 15 matchups have finished over the total.
New Orleans Saints
With James Winston likely seeing a good chunk of time in this tilt the Saints have a strong presence at quarterback. Winston took over for Derek Carr last week, with the latter making his Saints debut and going six for eight for 70 yards and a touchdown pass. Winston went 11 for 13 and 92 yards and a touchdown in the win against Kansas City. The third quarterback to take snaps was 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener, who looked solid in his pro debut by completing 10 passes for 105 yards and throwing both one touchdown and interception.
Running back Jamaal Williams made his Saints debut too, carrying the ball nine times for 28 yards. 2023 sixth-round pick A.T. Perry was the Saints top target last week, catching a team-high six passes for 70 yards and a score. Ugo Amadi and Kyle Phillips nabbed interceptions.
Los Angeles Chargers
Since Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has never been a proponent of playing his starters in the pre-season, you can expect a lot of the same this weekend when it comes to Chargers personnel. And that means Easton Stick at quarterback, along with rookie Max Duggan. Stick completed 14 of 21 passes for 109 yards and a score last week while Duggan, the seventh-round pick out of TCU threw just three passes.
Undrafted rookie Elijah Dotson stole the show for L.A. last weekend, carrying the ball six times for 92 yards including 37-yard and 40-yard touchdown runs in the final quarter. Duggan ran the ball more than he threw it, taking off four times for 20 yards on the ground.
NO
LAC