Saints vs. Chargers: Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

The highs and lows from the Saints preseason victory over the Chargers.

Bob Rose | Aug 27, 2022

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints ended their preseason with an impressive 27-10 home victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night. Many of the New Orleans starters saw their first action of the preseason, albeit for a series or two.

Once the backups filtered in, they had their best outing of the three exhibition games. Here is my thumbs up and thumbs down from the Saints win over the Chargers.

Thumbs Up

1st Team Offense

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) fist bumps center Erik McCoy (78) from the sideline watching the Los Angeles Chargers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Minus WR Michael Thomas and LT James Hurst, who both sat out as injury precaution, we got our first glimpse of the first-team offense in game action. They didn't disappoint. New Orleans sliced through a highly regarded Chargers defense on their first drive for an easy touchdown. The 75-yard march actually covered 90 yards because of penalties, but didn't slow them one bit.

Quarterback Jameis Winston looked sharp, completing all four of his throws for 59 yards. WR Jarvis Landry was on the receiving end of two of those passes for 35 yards, showing great route precision. Rookie WR Chris Olave pulled in another crisp throw for 19 yards.

Alvin Kamara looked in mid-season form, catching one pass and exploding for 37 rushing yards, though half of that was nullified by penalty. Mark Ingram finished off both of the team’s first two drives with bruising touchdown runs and picked up 34 yards on the ground.

The Saints offensive line dominated the L.A. front, providing exemplary pass protection and getting great push for the running backs. It was dominance that continued once the second-team line filtered into the game, as they put on their best performance of the preseason.

New Orleans gained 366 yards on the night and was 9 of 14 on third down conversions. Andy Dalton took over for Winston on the second series and engineered a touchdown while going 5 for 5 for 73 yards in two drives. Even Ian Book looked more comfortable than he had through the first two preseason games.

Backup running backs Tony Jones Jr. and Abram Smith combined for 86 yards from scrimmage over the final three quarters, looking decisive despite some blocking struggles late in the game. Wideouts Marquez Callaway and Kirk Merritt made strong claims for roster spots, combining for 8 receptions and 89 yards.

It was the first-team offense that stole the attention this night. Even in one series by Winston and two from most of the other starters, the Saints offense looked far sharper and more explosive than its 2021 version.

Thumbs Down

Run Defense

New Orleans Saints linebackers Zack Baun (53) and Jon Bostic (47) tackle Chargers running back Kevin Marks Jr. (39). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans first-team defense flexed its own muscle early in the game. They were facing a Chargers team without QB Justin Herbert and RB Austin Ekeler, but they also held out ends Marcus Davenport and Carl Granderson, LB Pete Werner, and corners Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo.

Los Angeles was forced into a three-and-out on their first possession. It was a series that ended in a Demario Davis sack after an impressive end-around stop by Cam Jordan and Eric Wilson, who led the team with six tackles. Marcus Maye also had a solid outing with a few head-turning run stops.

The Saints rush defense continued to struggle as a whole. Los Angeles only gained 64 yards on the ground and averaged less than 3.4 per carry. However, the New Orleans front was still beaten at the point of attack on several key runs.

This shouldn't be a major concern going into the regular season once the full squad is available and there was significant improvement over the previous two games. However, the Saints defensive front rotation will have to do better at winning their battles at the line of scrimmage once these games count.

Thumbs Up

Justin Evans

There shouldn't have been much doubt going in, but S Justin Evans may have cemented a roster spot with a spectacular performance against the Chargers.

Evans had an impressive one-on-one special teams tackle on the Saints first kickoff. He also had a strip tackle on a Chargers receiver to force a fumble and set up a third quarter touchdown.

Evans has shown terrific range this entire camp in his first action since 2019. He’s proven to be a versatile safety effective in coverage, run support, and on special teams. His standout play could even earn him snaps in the Saints nickel and dime packages into the regular season.

Thumbs Down

Injuries

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Albert Huggins (95) is carted off the field with an injury against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

The worst thing that could happen to any team in preseason are injuries, especially in the last game before the start of the regular season. Several New Orleans players left last night's game because of injuries.

Trevor Penning, OT (toe)
Tre'Quan Smith, WR (shoulder)
Malcolm Roach, DT (leg)
Albert Huggins, DT
Kirk Merritt, WR (leg)

The most concerning injury is to Penning, the first-round rookie in competition for the left tackle job. Early Saturday reports indicated that he suffered a toe injury, with an MRI scheduled for further evaluation. Smith left after crashing to the turf after a missed reception and did not return. Roach was examined in the medical tent, but returned to the game.

Huggins went down late in the contest and had to be carted off. Merritt was also hurt late, but was seen jogging along the sidelines by the end of the game. The Saints came into the game without Michael Thomas, James Hurst, Marcus Davenport, and Pete Werner, who are already nursing injuries.

New Orleans now has 15 days to prepare for their September 11 regular season opener at Atlanta. Unless serious, status on these injured players will not be accurately available until game week. These are still concerning issues for a Saints team whose 2021 season was derailed by a mountain of injuries throughout the year.

Saints News Articles

Saints Training Camp Practice Day 20: Notes and Observations

Published Aug 27, 2022

BOB ROSE

Covers the New Orleans Saints as a senior writer for the Saints News Network. Co-Host of the Bayou Blitz Podcast.