Chargers get smashed by Saints, but first-team offense looks solid

The Los Angeles Chargers dropped to 1-2 this preseason following a blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night.

Philip Rivers and most of the Chargers’ starters (at least the ones that played) didn’t see much action, but looked solid as they moved the ball against the Saints with relative ease.

Rivers finished the game by completing 5-of-7 passes for 29 yards. The first team found the end zone on a short touchdown run by Detrez Newsome in the first quarter, but those were the only points the team was able to muster.

After that, it was all Saints. New Orleans rattled off 36 straight points, scoring in a variety of ways.

Austin Ekeler, getting the start while Melvin Gordon took the night off, had an impressive showing. He gained 50 yards on six carries and also caught three passes for 13 yards. Newsome also looked good, rushing for 34 yards and adding 10 more on two receptions.

He may have carved out a spot on the final roster in the process.

No other player on the team stood out, at least not in a good way.

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The second and third-team defense could do nothing to stop the Saints as backup quarterbacks Tom Savage and Taysom Hill both made many plays against them.

Geno Smith, who most feel has already won the backup quarterback job, gave up an ugly pick six in which he threw the ball right to Saints defender Marcus Williams who took it the other way for a touchdown.

On top of that, Caleb Sturgis didn’t get a chance to attempt one field goal. He did make his only extra point attempt. The battle between he and Roberto Aguayo may not be settled in the preseason, at least not for the fans. Head coach Anthony Lynn may have to make the decision based soley off what he’s seen in practice.

The Chargers cap off the preseason this Thursday night agaisnt the San Francisco 49ers.

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