New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers odds, picks and predictions

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The New Orleans Saints (1-0) face the Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) in Week 2 of the preseason Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled 7:05 p.m. ET (NFL Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Saints vs. Chargers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The NFL is monitoring a rare tropical system set to impact Southern California Sunday into Monday, as Hurricane Hilary comes up from Baja Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. There are no plans to cancel or change the game time as of the time of publishing.

These teams conducted joint practices in SoCal since Wednesday ahead of the preseason game.

The Saints topped the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday at home, winning 26-24 as 1.5-point favorites as the Over (38) easily connected. QB Derek Carr was impressive in his team debut, completing 6-of-8 passes for 70 yards and a TD.

The Chargers doubled up the Los Angeles Rams 34-17 as the visitors at SoFi. The Bolts held a 20-7 lead at halftime as offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s new offense certainly looked explosive, albeit with backups. QBs Easton Stick and rookie Max Duggan were the signal callers, and RB Elijah Dotson turned heads with 92 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 6 totes.

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Saints at Chargers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:42 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Saints -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Chargers +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
Against the spread (ATS): Saints -3.5 (-105) | Chargers +3.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 38.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Saints at Chargers picks and predictions

Prediction

Chargers 26, Saints 24

Moneyline

The CHARGERS (+135) are worth a look on the moneyline as short ‘dogs at home. The Bolts looked really good last week against the SoFi roommate Rams, piling up 214 rushing yards and 105 passing yards and recording a score on an 81-yard punt return. The one area of concern for L.A. is the lack of discipline, as the Chargers committed 11 turnovers. That could be a concern for bettors, too.

Against the spread

The CHARGERS +3.5 (-115) are still a decent play, especially catching that hook, if you just cannot bring yourself to play the home side straight up. It’s uncertain if QB Justin Herbert will make his preseason debut, but even if he doesn’t play, the run game looked mighty formidable last weekend for the Bolts.

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Over/Under

OVER 38.5 (-110) is the play, as both of these teams were able to pile up plenty of points in the preseason opener.

The Chargers were good for 34 points, with 27 of those points attributed to the offense. They also allowed 17 points, and the Saints should be able to do a little more with experienced QBs Carr and Jameis Winston under center.

New Orleans topped the defending Super Bowl champ Chiefs, registering 26 points, 239 passing yards and a healthy 95 yards on the ground. I expect to see both of these offenses, reserves or not, moving the ball well.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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