Saints vs Chargers Odds, Pick, Prediction | NFL Preseason (Aug. 20)

Saints vs Chargers Odds, Pick, Prediction | NFL Preseason (Aug. 20) article feature image
Credit:

Getty Images. Pictured: Jameis Winston (left) and Quentin Johnston (right).

Saints vs Chargers Odds

Sunday, Aug. 20
7:05 p.m. ET
NFL Network
Saints Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
-3.5
-110
37
-110o / -110u
-175
Chargers Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
+3.5
-110
37
-110o / -110u
+155
Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.

We only have Saints vs Chargers odds on the NFL preseason docket on Sunday night. Fortunately, I have a Saints vs Chargers pick.

These teams met in the preseason last year, with New Orleans recording a 27-10 victory. The Saints have also won the last four regular-season meetings between the two.

Let’s get into the Saints vs Chargers odds and my betting pick in my preview below.


Saints vs. Chargers

Matchup Analysis

The Saints and Chargers have held scrimmages together this week. There are reports that Jameis Winston has been outplaying Derek Carr, but it's hard to see the former Raiders quarterback being anything but the Week 1 starter.

New Orleans is coming off a 26-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in its first preseason game. Both Winston and Carr took snaps under center, as well as rookie Jake Haener. We didn't see much of Carr as Winston and Haener had more playing time. All three logged touchdown passes against the Chiefs.

I believe that preseason games are generally decided by how much the better quarterbacks play — this is a concern I have with the Saints.

Though we saw Carr and Winston against the Chiefs, it's worth recalling last year, when Dennis Allen rested both Winston and Andy Dalton for the second preseason game — playing Ian Book instead — before reinstating them in the third and final exhibition game.


Bet New Orleans vs. Los Angeles at FanDuel

Saints -3.5

Chargers +3.5


Phone With the Action App Open
The must-have app for NFL bettors
The best NFL betting scoreboard
Free picks from proven pros
Live win probabilities for your bets

There's no clarity yet on who will start at quarterback for the Chargers, but it probably won't be Justin Herbert. He hasn't played a single preseason snap in his career, which is a rather wild statistic.

Brandon Staley has generally treated the preseason with disdain, going 2-5 in his time as Chargers head coach. Don't let their win last week distract you from the fact that we probably won't see Los Angeles field its best.

The Chargers beat the Rams 34-17 without Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The backups did very well, but there isn't much chance we see more regulars against the Saints.

Saints vs. Chargers

Betting Picks & Predictions

Both teams were involved in high-scoring games last week. As a result, the total currently sits at 38.5.

We won't see Justin Herbert and there's a good chance we don't get much of Derek Carr or Jameis Winston.

Dennis Allen has a history of being cautious in the second week of preseason, so let's come to terms that this game sees a lot of Easton Stick and Jake Haener. That will lead to low-quality quarterback play and a low-scoring matchup.

Take the under.

Pick: Under 38.5 (-110; BetMGM)

How would you rate this article?

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.