Fansided

NFL Week 5: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play against the Las Vegas Raiders at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on October 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bills defeated the Raiders 30-23. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play against the Las Vegas Raiders at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on October 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bills defeated the Raiders 30-23. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 04: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 04, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. New Orleans won the game 35-29. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 04: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 04, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. New Orleans won the game 35-29. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Monday, Oct. 12

Los Angeles Chargers (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (2-2), 8:15 pm

Chargers: Anthony Lynn’s team is on the road for a second straight week and will take on an NFC South club for a third consecutive time. The Chargers have already fallen to the Panthers (21-16) and Buccaneers (38-31) – the latter after the Bolts owned a 24-7 second-quarter lead. Lynn’s squad has dropped three straight after a Week 1 win at Cincinnati and all four games have been decided by seven points or less. One of the big issues is something that plagued the Chargers in 2019 – the inability to consistently turn over opponents while limiting their own mistakes. In their last 20 games, the team has 17 takeaways and 38 turnovers – a minus-21 turnover differential.

Saints: It sounds like a broken record but Sean Payton’s team has to find a way to solve its issues on the defensive side of the ball, especially when it comes to the pass. The team trailed the Lions quickly last week and would rally for a 35-29 victory, the Saints surrendered three more scores through the air. During the team’s 7-1 start a season ago, Dennis Allen’s defenders allowed just 10 touchdown passes. In their last 13 contests – including the home playoff loss to the Vikings, the New Orleans’ defense has surrendered a whopping 29 scoring tosses. In 10 of those outings, the Saints allowed at least two TD passes while Allen’s defense has come up with only 13 interceptions.

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