Chargers vs. Saints Preseason Week 3 NFL Picks: Can Ian Book Wake Up New Orleans' Offense?
The Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints will wrap up their preseason slate in New Orleans on Friday. We could be in store for a low-scoring affair. Read on for our Chargers-Saints picks.
We’re so close to real football, but for now, let’s dive into one more week of preseason games. If some anti-Ian Book sentiment makes you sad for whatever reason, don’t read this game preview.
Here are our Chargers-Saints NFL picks for preseason Week 3 (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Chargers vs. Saints Game Info
Date: Friday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m. ET
TV: KCBS-TV
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Weather: Indoors
Chargers vs. Saints Odds Analysis
The line opened with the Saints favored by a field goal and has remained there. The underdog Chargers have received 55% of the money wagered on the point spread.
The total opened at 38 and has been bet down to 36.5, likely because of skepticism in either offense’s ability to put points on the board.
Chargers vs. Saints Picks
Chargers vs. Saints ATS Pick
Chargers +3 (-110) ★★★
Chargers QBs Easton Stick and Chase Daniel have the quarterback advantage over second-year Saints signal caller Book. Book is possibly the worst QB to occupy a spot on an NFL roster. It would be to the Saints' advantage to provide backup Andy Dalton more playing time in Friday’s game if it mattered and New Orleans had any interest in covering this spread.
The Chargers have given up a few big plays over the course of the preseason, but Book simply is not capable of taking advantage of those opportunities the way other backup quarterbacks might.
Despite the Saints getting a home game, I haven’t seen anything from their second-stringers this preseason to suggest that scoring multiple touchdowns is a likely outcome for the hosts.
I’m not eager to bet a winless preseason team to claim this game outright, but the Chargers are +135 on the moneyline at FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbook. It’s solid value if you’re looking to go that route.
Chargers vs. Saints O/U Pick
Under 36.5 (-105) ★★★★
The Chargers have played two high-scoring games thus far in the preseason, with the totals from both of their first two matchups hitting 50-plus points. Los Angeles, though, didn’t win either game and mustered only 18 and 22 points across those losees.
In Week 3, the Chargers take on a Saints team that has been involved in more defensive battles so far. They played to 30 combined points in each of their first two games, with New Orleans mustering 23 combined points across the two games.
The final preseason week should feature backup players throughout the game. We’ve seen enough of these two sides to expect their offenses to struggle in general. L.A.'s defense has been the only stand out factor for the Over potentially hitting. An offense led by Ian Book is simply incapable of putting many points on the board. I’m firmly on the Under.
Where to Bet on Chargers vs. Saints Picks
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Chargers-Saints picks made 8/24/2022 at 2:12 p.m. ET
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