Saints-Chargers matchup could be defining for both teams
The Los Angeles Chargers visit the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Monday night, and the winner is in decent position. Meanwhile, the loser is in trouble.
Monday night may not look incredible on paper, but the game has a chance to be.
The Saints and Chargers are meeting in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with both desperately needing the game. Translation? Expect passion, and more importantly, both coaching staffs to be letting everything hang out.
For Los Angeles, the time for desperation is here. The Chargers have been very competitive in all four of they games, despite a 1-3 record. After beating the Cincinnati Bengals on opening day, Los Angeles has lost three straight behind rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
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However, Herbert has been spectacular thus far, throwing for more than 900 yards. He’s been willing and able to hit the deep ball while showing accuracy and mobility. The losses have been tough, losing in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs, on a botched hook-and-lateral against the Carolina Panthers (which would have won the game) and in the final minutes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after blowing a 24-7 lead.
Los Angeles is good enough to climb back into the postseason race in the AFC, especially with the schedule easing up. Yet rebounding from 1-4 compared to 2-3 is a huge, huge difference.
Meanwhile, the Saints are 2-2- and trying to get back over the .500 mark for the first time since handling the Buccaneers in Week 1. It’s been an odd road thus far for New Orleans, who after said win lost to the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers in primetime affairs before beating the Detroit Lions last Sunday.
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A victory here for New Orleans, and the Saints are 3-2, back in first place of the NFC South, and looking as though they’ve survived a tough portion of the slate. A loss, however, keeps them one game back of the Buccaneers (and potentially the Carolina Panthers) while significantly muddying the proverbial waters in the NFC wild card race.
Obviously, it’s only Week 5 and there is plenty of football remaining. Still, if the Saints have grand aspirations of winning their second Super Bowl before quarterback Drew Brees decides to become a broadcaster, getting a few home games in January is an essential starting point.
Come Monday night, both teams will be frantic for a win. The victor will feel good and be getting well. The loser has major issues to contend with.
