WEEK 8 PREVIEW

   The Saints have had a very disappointing game stretch after starting the season 2-0. Injuries have plagued this team heavily while the on-field performance has been questionable. The Saints face a Chargers team this week that has been pretty banged up as well. Our Saints look to get back in the win column to give the fans something to cheer about. Let’s dive in and see what’s in store.

THIS WEEK’S MATCHUP:

   The Saints will be taking on the Chargers in Los Angeles this week. The two teams have only faced each other 13 times with the Chargers leading the series 7-6. New Orleans is looking to even this series to take advantage of a struggling Chargers team. The Chargers come in at 3-3 and would love to stay above .500 for obvious playoff implications. Can the Saints be the spoilers to that plan?

YOUR SAINTS:

   This Saints team has been very underwhelming as of late! The team we saw in Weeks 1 and 2 has not been the same team we’ve seen since. A 5 game losing streak is as bad as it gets. Many players have been out hurt, including key contributors. Paulson Adebo is out for the season so Kool-Aid McKinstry will step up in the secondary. Alontae Taylor has been having a breakout year between forcing incompletions and getting sacks. Can getting some key players back help the rest of the team step up and deliver? 

   The offense has been struggling heavily. For some reason, we have not seen the same type of game plan from earlier in the season. This team was playing its best by getting a push from the offensive line on run plays to set up the play action. I, for one, am very disappointed with the lack of targets for Chris Olave. Olave is among the league’s top receivers in getting separation from his defender. Separation usually equates to catches, but not in this case. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a new name to the team. He comes in looking to give Spencer Rattler another target to get the ball to. Having Kendre Miller should help take some of the load off of Alvin Kamara to keep him fresh each week. Let’s take a look at injuries going into Sunday.

INJURY REPORT:

   Derek Carr is listed as doubtful. Nick Saldiveri and Cedrick Wilson Jr. are listed as out. Cesar Ruiz, Lucas Patrick, Pete Werner, Chris Olave, Khalen Saunders, Taysom Hill, Spencer Rattler, and Marshon Lattimore all had full practices on Friday. 

MY PREDICTION:

   Call me crazy but I think the Saints break the losing streak this week. The way the Chargers have also had their growing pains, I expect the Saints to be extra hungry to get a win. Having Tayson Hill and Chris Olave back while also getting Marquez Valdes-Scantling should be refreshing for the offense. Klint Kubiak should dial up some bigger plays. I think the Saints improve to 3-5 with a score of 31-27. Geaux Saints!

Like what you’re reading?

Follow @TheTHimel on Twitter/X for more!