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Chargers vs. Saints Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for NFL Preseason Week 3 (Expect Offenses to Deliver)

By Joe Summers

Josh Palmer shined in Los Angeles' preseason week 2 loss
Josh Palmer shined in Los Angeles' preseason week 2 loss / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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In a familiar story, the Los Angeles Chargers' special teams let the franchise down in last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, giving up two return touchdowns while getting blown out.

Los Angeles needs to fix it's special teams' woes quickly and get another opportunity against the New Orleans Saints in NFL preseason Week 3.

After losing to Green Bay, the Saints have failed to cover the spread in five straight preseason contests. Can they turn things around or will the Chargers bounce back in convincing fashion?

Here's the consensus odds before we jump into betting trends and my breakdown:

Chargers vs Saints Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

  • Chargers +1 (-110)
  • Saints -1 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Chargers: +100
  • Saints: -120

Total:

  • 37.0 (Over -105/Under -115)

Chargers vs Saints Betting Trends

Chargers

  • 3-3 ATS last six preseason games
  • UNDER is 6-3 last nine preseason games
  • 4-8 ATS last 12 preseason games as underdogs

Saints

  • 0-5 ATS last five preseason games
  • UNDER is 6-1 last seven preseason games
  • 1-4 ATS last five preseason games as favorites

Chargers vs Saints Prediction and Pick

Both clubs have struggled to score in the preseason thus far, but I think these offenses are too talented for the Week 3 total to be this low.

We can expect starters to play deeper into this game, and there's enough star-power on each side to get points on the board.

New Orleans' rushing attack was effective last week, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and the Chargers' run defense is bad enough to allow the Saints room to run. On the other end, Los Angeles' deep wide receiver room was on full display last week. Fantasy football sleeper Josh Palmer caught a 41-yard touchdown, and Michael Bandy added eight catches for 69 yards and a score.

At some point, we as bettors tend to zig too far and it's time to avoid an overcorrection. I know the under has been a strong bet for these teams, but in the last preseason game we should expect starters to play meaningful time, each offense will want to generate optimism going into the regular season.

Give me the over as both offenses finally break out.

Pick: Over 37.0 (-105)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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