New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/20/2017

Sunday, August 20, 2017

StubHub Center

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Los Angeles Chargers host the New Orleans Saints at StubHub Center on Sunday, August 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Los Angeles as 2.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 43. The Chargers had an over/under record of 9-6-1 and they were 7-9-0 against the spread last year. The Saints had an ATS record of 10-5-1 while their over/under record was 9-7-0.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints were 9-7-0 against the over/under last season

The New Orleans Saints were 10-5-1 against the spread last year

Important Los Angeles Chargers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Chargers were 9-6-1 against the over/under last season

The Los Angeles Chargers were 7-9-0 against the spread last year

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

07/30/17 LB Dannell Ellerbe Foot out for season
07/30/17 C Max Unger Undisclosed PUP
07/30/17 T Terron Armstead Shoulder PUP

Key Los Angeles Chargers Injuries

08/14/17 LB Denzel Perryman Ankle expected to miss 4-6 weeks
07/30/17 CB Jason Verrett Knee PUP

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints ran for 1,742 yards as a team last year, which ranked 16th in the NFL. They ran 404 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints were penalized on offense 107 times for 969 yards last season, which had them 17th in the league in penalties. They were 2nd in the NFL in points scored with 469. They ran 1,105 plays last season for 6,816 yards, which ranked them 1st in the league in total offense. The Saints averaged 6.2 yards per play, which was 3rd in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 395 1st downs last year, placing them 1st overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees averaged 7.7 yards per pass attempt and 11.1 yards per completion last season. He completed 471 passes on 673 attempts for a completion percentage of 70.0%. His QBR last year was 72.0 while is quarterback rating was 101.7. He threw for 5,208 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense allowed 396 attempts for 1,626 yards last year, putting them in 14th place in the league against the run. New Orleans committed 104 penalties for 881 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 9th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 45.3% of possessions on defense, which was 32nd in the league. They were 31st in the league in points allowed on defense with 454. They surrendered a total of 6,006 yards on D, which was 27th in the NFL. The Saints were ranked 31st in yards per play allowed with 6. Their pass defense gave up 7.2 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 31st in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 378 passes on 582 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense last season, placing them 24th and 20th in the National Football League. The New Orleans pass defense also gave up a total of 4,380 yards through the air, which was 32nd overall in total pass defense.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Los Angeles Chargers were 9th in the National Football League in points scored with 410 last year. They ran 1,014 plays for 5,708 yards, which ranked them 14th in the NFL in total offense. The Chargers averaged 5.6 yards per play, which was 14th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 340 1st downs last season, ranking them 10th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Los Angeles ran for 1,510 yards as a unit, which ranked 26th in the league. They ran 398 times, averaging 3.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Chargers were penalized on offense 107 times for 780 yards last year, which had them 16th in the NFL in penalties. Philip Rivers passed for 4,386 yards last year. He completed 349 throws while attempting 578 passes for a completion percentage of 60.4%. His quarterback rating last season was 87.9 and his QBR was 64.5. He averaged 12.6 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Los Angeles was 29th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 423. They gave up a total of 5,554 yards on D, which was 16th in the league. The Chargers were 12th in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Their pass defense allowed 6.5 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 20th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 364 throws on 580 attempts against the Los Angeles defense last season, ranking them 16th and 18th in the league. The Los Angeles Chargers pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,987 yards in the air, which was 20th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 410 attempts for 1,567 yards last season, putting them in 10th place in the NFL against the run. The Chargers had 119 penalties for 837 yards on defense last year. That placed them 6th in the league. They allowed a score on 39.8% of possessions on defense, which was 26th in the NFL.

Who will win tonight's Saints/Chargers NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Saints +2.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald