How the Saints can win the Week 8 matchup against the Chargers

The Saints (2-5) will look to get back in the win column when they take on the Chargers (3-3) in Week 8, but it will take a stellar performance to do so. Execution is the name of the game, as New Orleans has been sorely lacking in the past few losses. Sometimes efforts were made, but efforts don’t directly lead to results when all is said and done. Here’s what needs to happen for them to at least start to get their season back on track.

Start well

It’s really not that difficult. “Saints” need to make some successful shots from both sides. It doesn’t have to be touchdowns or three-and-outs, but forcing an early punt and punt would go a long way for a team that has lost five straight. The last thing New Orleans needs is to give up a long defense or turn the ball over.

The team is not balanced and there is no harmony. It’s chaotic. New Orleans will give up a long defensive attack only to follow it with a short offense that brings a tired unit down the field. We also saw the offense put together a drive to get back into the game only for the defense to give it right back. This needs to stop, and when they do, they will begin to have more success.

Help Rattler succeed

The offense is the focus of this game and the Chargers defense will be in front of it. You can’t win if you don’t get off to a good start, and that includes helping Spencer Rattler.

Rutler can play and gets Chris Olaf back into the mix will definitely help a lot. But some problems at the start were pressure. The return of Lucas Patrick and Cesar Ruiz should help bolster the offensive line to at least give the Rattlers more of a chance. The starting running game will also be key here with the combination of Alvin Kamara, Kendra Miller and Tysom Hill.

Correct the errors

We don’t expect perfection, but missed tackles are something that needs to improve a lot in this game. Pete Werner’s return to partnership with Demario Davis will help in communication and tackling, and now the Saints will start using More McKinstry Kool-Aid with Alonte Taylor moving from the outside to the slot and Paulson Adebo out for the year. That’s just part of what needs to happen for New Orleans, with a heavy emphasis on being able to stop the run and control the line of scrimmage in the trenches. It would also be nice to finish off some sacks and pick up Justin Herbert when the opportunity presents itself.

The Saints don’t need to reinvent the wheel to win a game and snap out of this losing skid, but it will take a village to dig themselves out of this deep hole of their own making. Things seem to be going well in the dressing room and the morale of the players is also in line with that. We’ll see if that leads to this team going 3-5 or 2-6, and there’s a big difference in either outcome.