Chargers vs Saints: Bold Predictions for Primetime Clash

At least the New Orleans Saints have grown accustomed to being dealt crushing blows because they're going to start this season 0-5.

They will fall in front of their own fans to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night. 

That outcome shouldn't be a bold prediction. After all, the Chargers are 3-1 to New Orleans' 0-4. Sure, the Saints are at home, but they haven't won a game! Yet, according to Football Locks, the Saints are a 3.5-point favorite. 

We'll have more on why the Chargers will win, but first check out two other bold predictions from the game. 

Philip Rivers Will Go Over 300

Philip Rivers is having a solid season, but he's lacked the kind of explosive and prodigious outing that we've grown accustomed to seeing. 

He enters this game with a QB rating of 91.9, but has thrown just four touchdowns and 897 yards. That puts him on pace to throw for 16 touchdowns and 3,588 yards, which would be his fewest touchdown total since he's been the full-time starter in San Diego and his fewest yards since 2007. 

He will get a huge boost to those stats in this game. The Saints defense has been terrible. They are 32nd in rushing yards allowed and 24th in passing yards allowed. 

The Chargers will use their inevitable success in the run game to set up for some huge passing plays off play action, and Rivers' stat line will show the results. 

Marques Colston Will Surpass 100

Despite the team's struggles this year, Drew Brees and the Saints' passing game is still putting up big numbers. New Orleans is third in the league in passing yards with 320.8 per game. 

They will be going against a Chargers' defense that is ranked 23rd in passing yards allowed. Now, just having a below-average pass defense does not guarantee Colston's success. Drew Brees loves to spread the ball around. 

However, in this game, Colston will be Brees' favorite target. According to Football Outsiders, the Chargers are ranked 28th against opposing No. 1 receivers, which is easily their lowest ranking against any position in the passing game.  

Chargers Win

The Saints defense is simply too big a mess for New Orleans to do anything but lose this game. While the Chargers are an average 15th in scoring offense this year, this is a dangerous group that can put up points in a hurry.

They will terrorize this defense. 

That will leave the onus entirely on the offense, and they will not be able to keep pace. The Chargers have been playing fantastic run defense this year, and that will turn the Saints into an entirely one-dimensional offense. That will allow the Chargers to pin their ears back and attack the passing game.

That will lead to the road win.