This may be the easiest pick of the weekend after Rams over Redskins, Cardinals over Jets and Browns over Colts. The Saints are not a good football team. There defense especially pass defense is below average and surprisingly their pass rush is nonexistent. Michael Thomas just may be the MVP of any team as his missed games have shone the light brightly that his quarterback Drew Brees was absolutely correct in announcing he was retiring and had signed a 10 year deal to become an NFL analyst for NBC most likely replacing Chris Collingsworth. The diminutive 41 year old signal caller will turn 42 if the Saints somehow make the NFC playoffs. Given the state of the NFC this season as the AFC beats the bejeezus out of the much weaker NFC at every level they still are in the mix after barely hanging on to a 35-29. This was accomplished by playing keep away from last place Detroit Lions and their beleaguered Head Coach and the next head to role Matt Patricia. The Saints defense was steamrolled by the toothless Lions and used the horrible Lions defense to run the ball and snap the ball with a few ticks on the clock to snap a two game losing streak. Brees cannot throw the ball more than ten yards in the air and basically the Saints ride its lone weapon Alvin Kamara who is earning his pay as being basically the entire Saints offense both on the ground and catching the ball out of the backfield. The embarrassing sight of Tom Brady with all his weapons being unable to avoid a rush having zero arm strength and not knowing what down it is pales in comparison to the much smaller Brees not being able to throw a spiral with any accuracy or pace from the twenty to the thirty yard line. With their top FOUR cornerbacks out in tonight's game and Michael Thomas and number two option Tight End over the hill Jared Cook severely limited but most likely out given his history of not getting on the field when listed as questionable to add to their woes top back up WR Deonte Harris is out and the already porous defense will be going without its best pass rusher Davenport. The coach Shawn Payton now seems like a play caller from a different age and time. Looking at the Chargers We get to see the opposite side of the coin. As rookie quarterback big, athletic, cannon arm just brimming with promise but more importantly fulfilling that promise against the top teams in the NFL. The 6'6" , 245 pound rookie has shown the confidence and mentality to read and rip apart opposing defensive teams from the opening whistle to the closing gun. He will be without Swiss army knife running back Austin Ekler for a few weeks but with young Joshua Kellyand top target Keenan Allen and super athletic Tight End Hunter Henry along with a better than average offensive line Herbert will have plenty of weapons in his arsenal to slice and dice an aging underperforming overpaid bottom dweller defense missing its strength the strength of its unit the starting cornerbacks and their nickle and dime backups. On the Chargers defense missing Melxin Ingram is a huge loss and Bosa will suit up but not sure what percentage he will be running his motor. But the Chargers have depth talent and youth and against the popgun Saints they have more than enough. What a difference a year makes as the memories of immobile weak armed Phillip Rivers have been replaced and the once scary thunder dome named the Super Dome is now a quiet climate controlled playground for opposing offenses. The wrong time is favored in this contest As Lynn guides young offensive coordinator Steichin with veteran defensive coach Gus Bradley. The Saints will get over the hump vs the over the hill gang. CHARGERS ML +$310, CHARGERS +7.5. Weighted towards the Money line.
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