The last few weeks haven’t favored the Saints, losing their last five games and dropping to 2-5 on the season. Injuries to multiple key players and positions have played a factor as the Black and Gold come off a mini-bye, last playing Thursday Night Football versus the Denver Broncos on October 17th.
Los Angeles has not fared well lately either. They’ve lost three out of their last four games and have a 3-3 record. Their latest loss came on the road on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals, where kicker Cameron Dicker scored all the team’s points.
Kickoff inside SoFi Stadium is set for 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, October 27th.
PLAYERS COMING BACK
One factor in the New Orleans Saints’ underperformance the last couple of seasons was the injury bug, which is a recurring theme in the weekly injury report.
The report is normally a laundry list with many players on the Black and Gold roster being featured. This week was no different with 14 players listed, but it was more optimistic this time. Just three Saints players did not practice and the majority were full participants and are probable for Sunday’s contest.
Most of the players expected to return are on the offensive side of the football. Spencer Rattler will likely make his third career start on Sunday. Getting guys like Taysom Hill, Chris Olave, and Cesar Ruiz would help take some of the pressure off the rookie’s shoulders.
Los Angeles had 11 players listed on their injury report with a couple being listed as doubtful while having no one officially out.
KAMARA EXTENSION
A considerable amount of the offseason was spent discussing Alvin Kamara’s contract situation. The star running back was looking for more guaranteed money with him getting next to no guaranteed Monday past this season.
Expectations were that Kamara would miss training camp until he and the Saints’ front office could agree on an extension. The 29-year-old didn’t let that stop him from being with the team as he was an active participant in camp heading into the season.
Kamara told the media before week one he was done and put the money discussions on hold to focus on the season. After last week’s loss on Thursday night, the extra time off allowed the two sides to regroup and come to an agreement on a contract extension.
The new deal will keep Kamara in a Black and Gold uniform through the 2026-2027 season and is worth $24.5 million. Throughout the process, Kamara expressed his love for the team, the fanbase, and the city of New Orleans. He plans to retire as a New Orleans Saint.
EXECUTION OF DEFENSE
To put it simply, the New Orleans Saints have not been good on defense as of late.
In the last three games, the Saints’ defense has allowed 1,443 yards to opposing offenses. Those teams have also had possession of the ball for an average of about 36 minutes per contest. The defense can’t get off the field and has relied on turnovers to prevent points from being scored.
The main focus will need to be stopping J.K. Dobbins. The Los Angeles Chargers offense has been less than stellar. They have yet to score 27 or more points in a game this season. Dobbins accounts for 29.3% of the team’s offense and LA’s top receiver was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.
SERIES RECORD: Chargers Lead 7-6
Last 5 Meetings:
2020: SAINTS 30 – CHARGERS 27
2016: SAINTS 35 – CHARGERS 34
2012: SAINTS 31 – CHARGERS 24
2008: SAINTS 37 – CHARGERS 32
2004: CHARGERS 43 – SAINTS 17
STAT LEADERS
Saints
Derek Carr: 90-128, 989 Yards, 8 TD, 4 INT
Alvin Kamara: 111 Carries, 438 Yards, 6 TD
Rashid Shaheed: 20 Catches, 349 Yards, 3 TD
Bryan Bresee: 4 Sacks
Paulson Adebo: 52 Tackles (43 Solo)
Paulson Adebo: 3 INT
Blake Grupe: 11-of-11 Field Goals, Long of 57, 18-of-20 PAT
Chargers
Justin Herbert: 107-164, 1,164 Yards, 6 TD, 1 INT
J.K. Dobbins: 95 Carries, 478 Yards, 3 TD
Ladd McConkey: 24 Catches, 265 Yards, 2 TD
Khalil Mack: 2.5 Sacks
Daiyan Henley: 43 Tackles (29 Solo)
Elijah Molden: 2 INT
Cameron Dicker: 15-of-16 Field Goals, Long of 59, 7-of-8 PAT
INJURY REPORT:
Saints
Derek Carr, QB, Oblique, Doubtful
Nick Saldiveri, OL, Shoulder, Out
Cesar Ruiz, OG, Knee, Probable
Lucas Patrick, OG, Chest, Probable
Pete Werner, LB, Hamstring, Probable
Connor McGovern, C, Back, Probable
Chris Olave, WR, Concussion, Probable
Khalen Saunders, DL, Back, Probable
Taysom Hill, TE, Ribs, Probable
Alvin Kamara, RB, Hand/Rib, Probable
Cedrick Wilson Jr, WR, Hip, Out
Juwan Johnson, TE, Shoulder, Probable
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Hamstring, Probable
Spencer Rattler, QB, Hip, Probable
Chargers
Derius Davis, WR, Hamstring, Doubtful
Will Dissly, TE, Shoulder, Questionable
Hayden Hurst, TE, Groin, Questionable
Ladd McConkey, WR, Hip, Questionable
Denzel Perryman, LB, Toe, Questionable
Quentin Johnston, WR, Ankle, Doubtful
Joey Bosa, OLB, Hip, Questionable
DJ Chark, WR, Groin, Questionable
Kristian Fulton, CB, Hamstring, Probable
Khalil Mack, OLB, Rest, Probable
Ja’Sir Taylor, CB, Fibula, Probable
