The good news is that several starters – including right guard Cesar Ruiz, tight end Taysom Hill, linebacker Pete Werner, left guard Lucas Patrick and receiver Chris Olave – will be back in the lineup Sunday for the New Orleans Saints (2-5) when they play the Chargers (3-3) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
That's not a guarantee that the Saints will end their five-game losing streak, but it'll be a significant factor if they do. These few items also would help:
1. GRIND ON THE GROUND
New Orleans has run for 46, 81 and 97 yards in the previous three games on 15, 21 and 21 carries, respectively. That partly is due to the fact the offense has played from behind, but part of the reason it's playing from behind is it hasn't effectively run the ball. Alvin Kamara has totaled 76 yards on 31 carries in the three games; having Hill return will be a huge boost for Kamara and the offense, including rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. Getting back Ruiz and Patrick should help settle the offensive line interior, because opposing linemen have spent too much time in New Orleans' offensive backfield.
2. PRECIOUS CARGO
Rattler must do his part by protecting the ball. He has two interceptions and two lost fumbles in his two starts, and it's difficult to win when the quarterback is providing extra possessions to the opposition. New Orleans needs the rookie to have learned from his mistakes, but he won't have to be as reliant upon himself with the hero now that he'll have the returnees. Olave's presence should pay dividends.
3. MEET AT THE QB
The Saints have three sacks in the last three games and one in the last two. Some of that can be attributed to mobile quarterbacks but as much, New Orleans hasn't gotten them on the ground when it has been in position to do so. The Chargers' Justin Herbert is coming off season highs in completions (27), attempts (39) and yards (349), but he also was sacked three times for the second consecutive game and he hasn't been much of a running threat (20 carries for 34 yards). He doesn't turn over the ball (one interception this season, none in the last four games), so if that's going to happen it'll have to be because defensive end Carl Granderson and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee lead the charge getting to him and forcing the ball out. He must be disrupted.
4. GIRD YOUR LOINS
Of course, the Chargers are going to test the Saints' run defense. They've seen the tape and they know New Orleans has allowed 502 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 70 carries in the last two games, so Los Angeles – which runs for 116 yards per game on four yards per carry – is going to check and see if the unit remains leaky. This is a good time to add Werner back into the mix, but it's also a good time for Demario Davis and his teammates to provide a reminder of times when the Saints were one of the top run defenses in the league.
Little Caesars® is always the winning play on Saints gameday! Download the app and participate in the Pizza!Pizza! Pregame Challenge to earn rewards on NFL gamedays.
