Following victories in their exhibition openers, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter as the New Orleans Saints prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday night at the sprawling SoFi Stadium.
Tensions are high and strategies well-rehearsed after the two teams underwent joint practice sessions this Thursday and Friday at the Chargers’ state-of-the-art facility in Costa Mesa.
A Homecoming of Sorts
An intriguing subplot to this game is Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr. Although not a former Charger, Carr spent a significant portion of his career battling them, representing their AFC West nemeses, the Las Vegas Raiders, for nine seasons. Sunday’s game will no doubt be a journey down memory lane for him.
Mother Nature’s Play
An unexpected player could enter the field this Sunday: Hurricane Hillary. Expected to make landfall in Los Angeles early Monday morning, it’s a factor both teams will be monitoring closely as it could significantly impact game strategies.
Key Matchups to Watch
Chargers’ Ground Game: Last week, the Chargers showcased a dominant ground attack against the Rams, accumulating a staggering 214 yards. The standout star was Elijah Dotson, an undrafted free agent, who amassed 92 of those yards in just six carries. His dual long touchdown runs were the talk of the town and are a testament to his potential this season.
Saints’ Aerial Assault: Under the guidance of their second-year head coach, Dennis Allen, the Saints are expected to deploy a fierce aerial offense spearheaded by Carr. With wide receivers like Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, they have the arsenal. However, it’s worth noting that they’ll miss their star running back, Alvin Kamara, for the initial three games due to a suspension. Their previous game saw limited action for the receiving duo, with Olave not securing his only target, and Thomas making a single catch for 16 yards.
How to watch: Streaming & TV
- Game Time: New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 7 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
- Streaming: Available on NFL+, a subscription-based platform priced at $9.99/month.
Note: NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers, remember, regular-season NFL games are your only treat. To stream preseason games, an NFL+ subscription is indispensable.
Saints vs. Chargers
Be ready for a captivating showdown as these teams battle it out under the LA lights! Will the Chargers’ ground game continue to impress, or will the Saints’ passing game take flight? This Sunday, all will be revealed!
