Even though the Los Angeles Chargers have a new staff, led by Coach Jim Harbaugh, it's not as if the Chargers (3-3) bring a slew of unexpectedness into Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints (2-5) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14 before leading the University of Michigan from 2015-23; offensive coordinator Greg Roman has held that title in three other NFL stops, including with Harbaugh in San Francisco; and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was Harbaugh's defensive coordinator at Michigan the last two seasons.
The track record is there to see, from those seasons to this one.
"They're obviously a very physical team," Saints Coach Dennis Allen said. "They play a physical brand of football in all three phases.
"Defensively, they've done a good job of minimizing points, keeping everything in front of them, they tackle really well, they play hard. They've got a couple of edge pressure guys (linebacker Khalil Mack and defensive end Joey Bosa) that can get after the quarterback. Interior, they're pretty stout in the run game.
"Offensively, I think they've been able to run the ball pretty effectively, looks like the quarterback (Justin Herbert) is getting healthy. He threw the ball really well on Monday night against Arizona. They're well-coached, they've got good schemes, they execute at a high level and I think they're playing pretty well."
Defensively, in fact, the Chargers have done the best job in the NFL at minimizing points: They allow 13.8 per game, fewest in the league. Add to that they're top 10 in total yards (295.3, seventh), passing yards (184.2, ninth) and rushing yards (111.2, ninth) allowed per game, respectively, and the Chargers will present the toughest defensive challenge this season for the Saints.
"You see a phenomenal pass rush, No. 1," Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said. "I think they're really disciplined, well-coached. I think they tackle well. Overall you see a disciplined, sound defense.
"Not a lot of holes in the defense. Our guys are aware of that, (but we're) just focusing on ourselves and how can we be better. And everything else after that will take care of itself."
New Orleans will start rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler for the third consecutive game, but for the first time the rookie will have tight end Taysom Hill, right guard Cesar Ruiz and left guard Lucas Patrick back in the offensive huddle, along with receiver Chris Olave, who missed the last game due to concussion protocol.
"It'll be a big boost for everybody," Kubiak said. "Definitely good to see some familiar faces out there in practice. It's been an energy boost to our guys this week."
The Saints also will return linebacker Pete Werner to the lineup on defense, though cornerback Paulson Adebo was lost for the season after a leg injury and surgery following the Denver game.
But defensive coordinator Joe Woods said regardless of whom the Saints' personnel grouping is, the unit is aware of what Roman and the Chargers want to establish.
"Just in terms of different personnel groups, different types of runs, the play-action pass off of that, he can be unique with the empty, with the route combinations," Woods said. "He's good in terms of game planning."
The Chargers average 116 rushing yards per game on 29 carries; Harbaugh-led teams never have shied away from attacking via the run game.
"I like to say, old Big Ten football," Woods said, with a smile. "They're going to run the ball, run the ball, make you load the box to stop it and then try to get over the top in terms of play-action pass. But you can see it on tape; they're definitely going to try to run the ball."
