Saints vs. Chargers odds, spread, line: 2023 NFL preseason Week 2 picks, predictions from expert on 44-29 roll
The Los Angeles Chargers will host the New Orleans Saints in a Sunday night affair as part of the Week 2 NFL preseason schedule. Both clubs set the tone after picking up wins in their first preseason matchups. The Chargers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 34-17. On the other side, the Saints topped the Chiefs 26-24. This will likely be the last preseason game starters suit up in.
Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium. New Orleans is a 3-point favorite in the Saints vs. Chargers odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 38. Before making any Chargers vs. Saints picks or bets, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from proven SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein.
A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed while working for Pro Football Focus. Hartstein tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Those selections formed the basis of his SportsLine NFL best bets article, which finished 36-25-1.
In addition, Hartstein has gone 44-29 on his last 73 against-the-spread or money-line NFL picks involving the Saints, returning $1,134. Anybody who has been following him is way up.
Now, Hartstein has set his sights on Saints vs. Chargers and just locked in his NFL picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Now, here are several NFL betting lines and trends for Chargers vs. Saints:
- Saints vs. Chargers spread: Saints -3
- Saints vs. Chargers over/under: 38 points
- Saints vs. Chargers money line: Saints -160, Chargers +135
- NO: Under is 6-0 in Saints' last six games overall
- LAC: Chargers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four home games
- Saints vs. Chargers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Saints can cover
The Saints added some explosive pass-rushers in the 2023 NFL Draft. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is an athletic defender with solid instincts along the interior of the line. He has good play-recognition skills as a run defender. He finished with 51 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and nine sacks over three seasons at Clemson.
Defensive end Isaiah Foskey has long arms that allow him to bring down defenders and reach ball carriers even when he's engaged in a block. The 2023 second-round pick also has a good pass-rush plan to bring down the quarterback. He finished his career at Notre Dame with 122 total tackles and 25.5 sacks. The Saints were tied for fourth in the NFL in team sacks (48) in 2022 and added two more dynamic rushers. See which team to pick here.
Why the Chargers can cover
The backup quarterback job is up for grabs with Easton Stick currently owning the edge. Stick is an accurate passer with impressive awareness on the field. The 2019 fifth-round pick went 14 of 21 with 109 passing yards and one touchdown in the preseason opener against the Rams. Undrafted rookie running back Elijah Dotson made a strong impression on the coaching staff last week. Last year at Northern Colorado, he finished with 206 carries for 929 yards and six touchdowns. Last week against the Rams, he led the team with 92 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries.
Receiver Quentin Johnston was picked in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnston is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound weapon who can win contested grabs or after the catch. He'll look to build off last week's performance, where he reeled in a touchdown grab on six targets. See which team to pick here.
How to make Chargers vs. Saints picks
Hartstein has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he's leaning Over the point total, he has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
