LA Chargers: Staff predictions for Week 5 vs. New Orleans Saints

The 1-3 LA Chargers take on the 2-2 New Orleans Saints in Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season.

The LA Chargers have their first primetime game of the season as they are taking on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

The Chargers are dealing with countless injuries in this game and it will be the team’s last game before the bye week, as the NFL reworked the schedule, moving the Chargers’ bye week to next week, Week 6.

The Saints will be without Michael Thomas in this game. His status was already up in the air and the team announced on Sunday that he would be inactive on Monday. He reportedly got into an altercation and punched teammate Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

As of right now, the Saints are still 7.5-point favorites in this game. Here is how the Bolt Beat staff sees the game going down. The total for the game is exactly 50.

Bolt Beat’s LA Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints predictions:

Brandon Viera (3-5-0): LA Chargers 31, New Orleans Saints 27

Although it was a struggle for the defense last Sunday, I think the chargers will come out knowing they need to score plenty in prime time to beat the saints. Justin Herbert will feel even more comfortable knowing the job is now his, and he’ll lead this team to their first victory with him under center.

Devon Auriemma (6-2-0): LA Chargers 28, New Orleans Saints 24

Justin Herbert has continued to impress and will have another chance to do so in prime time. While Tyrod Taylor doesn’t deserve to lose his job due to a freak accident, Herbert has shown that he’s ready to take over and should be the starter from here on out.

The Saints pass defense has played poorly to start the season. While they are in the top half of the league in total sacks, they are bottom 10 in passing touchdowns allowed and passer rating. Herbert played a nearly perfect game last week and if he is the starter for this matchup, could put on another impressive performance on Monday Night Football.

Based on the Chargers having a better defense, despite last week’s performance, and this being a good matchup for Herbert, the Chargers get the edge in this one.

Ryan Daley (3-1-0): New Orleans Saints 34, LA Chargers 27

The Chargers are going into this game not only against Drew Brees and a solid Saints teams, but also going into the game with even more injuries. Both Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner will most likely be out for Monday nights game. Hopefully, Mike Williams can come back as he was limited at practice yesterday.

This could give Justin Herbert another strong weapon. Also Joey Bosa recovering from his injuries is important as he was shut down from getting to Brady last week. This game will ultimately come down to the Chargers defense stopping Brees and Kamara. This game could just be mirrored version of the game against Buccaneers as we may see the offense do well while the defense may struggle.

If that Chargers defense can step up this week and Justin Herbert can continue to do his thing, I see no reason why they can’t win this game. While I could see them win, I think it’s safe to say that I’m not very confident against this Saints team.

Steven Haglund (6-2-0): New Orleans Saints 31, LA Chargers 27

Alvin Kamara’s return to his explosive form is concerning for the Chargers. He already has more catches of 20 yards or more than he did in the entirety last season. Kenneth Murray has brought a element of speed to the Chargers linebacker core that they have desperately needed, but their defense under Gus Bradley has historically struggled with running backs.

This is a bad matchup for the Chargers defense. On the other side, Justin Herbert has a good matchup with an aging Saints defense. Look for Hunter Henry to have a good day as well as the Saints defense has really struggled against opposing tight ends. Ultimately, Drew Brews and Kamara will be too much for the Chargers defense.

Tyler Gallagher (5-3-0): New Orleans Saints 35, LA Chargers 28

Considering the news that Justin Herbert will remain the starter and his recent performance against the Buccaneers, this beaten and battered Los Angeles Chargers team still has the ability to beat any team in any week.

Can Justin Herbert out-duel former Chargers quarterback and NFL icon Drew Brees? The potential is there, but I have to take the Saints considering the poor performance of the secondary and defensive line last week.

Jason Reed (5-3-0): New Orleans Saints 38, LA Chargers 28

Justin Herbert is going to have to wait at least two more weeks for the first win of his career. While the Saints being without Michael Thomas certainly helps, I still hate this matchup for the Chargers’ defense.

Yes, the defense was really good on paper heading into the season but it is also missing some really key pieces and is getting bad produciton out of other key pieces, such as Casey Hayward.

This feels like a game where the Saints dink and dunk their way down the field, getting Taysom Hill involved fairly often as well.

I do think that the Chargers’ offense will produce enough points to be in the game and make it competitve, but I do not like how the defense looks with all of the injuries.