The New Orleans Saints are set to host the Los Angeles Chargers for a Monday Night Football matchup in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Los Angeles is coming off a close loss to the Saints NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while New Orleans is coming off a win against the Detroit Lions.
Here’s five things to watch for in Monday’s game:
Can the Saints receiving core repeat last week’s performance?
After being listed as questionable due to ankle injury, the Saints will once again be without Pro Bowler Michael Thomas as the team plans to hold him out for disciplinary reasons after he reportedly had an altercation with a teammate. The Saints other receivers are coming off their best performance of the season with Emmanuel Sanders catching a season highs of six passes for 93 yards and Tre’Quan Smith scoring two touchdowns in the win vs. Detroit.
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said the Saints group of pass catchers has been making plays.
“They’re getting open, running great routes, their run after the catch is as good as I’ve seen all year.,” Lynn said. “We’re going to have to have some tight coverage, and when they get the ball in space, we have to get them down. Those guys make plays with the ball in their hands. Easy completions (could be) long and explosive plays.”
How will the Saints special teams unit play without key contributors?
Two key members of the Saints special teams unit, All-Pro returner Deonte Harris and cornerback Justin Hardee have been ruled out for Monday’s game due to injuries. Hardee has been one of the Saints best kick coverage players the past few seasons and Harris has solidified the New Orleans return game.
Saints running back Alvin Kamara and back up quarterback Taysom Hill have both returned kicks in the past but it will be interesting to see how the unit performs missing so many key contributors.
How will the Saints secondary fair against the Chargers talented receiving corps?
The Saints will once again be without starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore is questionable with a hamstring injury although he practiced all week in limited capacity. If Lattimore is unable to play, it will be the second-straight game for the Saints without their top two cornerbacks.
PJ Williams and Patrick Robinson started for New Orleans last week and played well.
The Chargers have a talented group of receivers, including Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and New Orleans native Tyron Johnson who scored a touchdown in his NFL debut last week.
How will Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert play against the Saints’ defense?
Due to a freak injury to Tyrod Taylor the Chargers have started first round-draft pick Justin Herbert the past three games. While Los Angeles has been 0-3 in that stretch, Herbert has played well completeing 72 percent of his passes for 931 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions.
Can Alvin Kamara continue his hot start to the 2020 season?
Even after Sunday’s games, Kamara leads the NFL in yards form scrimmage (557) and is tied with Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook for total touchdowns (seven).
The Pro Bowler has been the most consistent player in the Saints offense and leads New Orleans in every offensive category and is tied with Carolina’s Mike Davis for the most receptions by a running back this season.
