Chargers vs. Saints, Week 5: How to watch, what to watch on Monday Night Football

The Los Angeles Chargers will visit the New Orleans Saints on Monday night with the hope that this test against an NFC South opponent goes better than their trip to Tampa Bay in Week 4. The Chargers squandered a 24-7 lead against the Bucs and ultimately fell, 38-31. Los Angeles has lost three in a row after winning its season opener.

The Saints took the opposite path in their most recent outing. They fell behind the Detroit Lions, 14-0, in the first quarter Sunday before reeling off the game’s next 35 points in a 35-29 triumph. That win evened New Orleans’ record at 2-2.

TV Info

Date: Monday, Oct. 12
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Chargers: #18 Overall — #19 offense, #20 defense, #29 special teams
Saints: #8 Overall — #8 offense, #8 defense, #10 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Chargers: +7.5, +290
Saints: -7.5, -345
Total: 51

Injury report

Chargers

OUT: T Bryan Bulaga (back), QB Tyrod Taylor (ribs, chest), G Trai Turner (groin)

QUESTIONABLE: DE Joey Bosa (triceps, knee), WR Mike Williams (hamstring)

Saints

OUT: CB Justin Hardee (hamstring), WR Deonte Harris (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE: TE Jared Cook (groin), DE Marcus Davenport (toe), CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), G Andrus Peat (ankle), DT Sheldon Rankins (thumb), WR Michael Thomas (ankle)

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Chargers

Joshua Kelley, RB, $5,600

Austin Ekeler is expected to miss a month or more due to a hamstring injury which should make Kelley the Chargers’ No. 1 RB for a while. He has shown the ability to take on a lot of touches — he took on 25 in Week 2 and turned them into 113 total yards. The concern here is what happens if Kelley can’t shake his recent bout of fumblitis. He has turned the ball over in each of the past two weeks.

Justin Jackson, RB, $4,300

If Ekeler can’t hang on to the ball, Jackson is the player who stands to benefit most. He returned from a two-week absence to gain just 21 yards on eight touches. But he did play 40% of the snaps in Week 4 (Ekeler played 57%) and should be on the field even more with Ekeler out. He is a must-add in most season-long leagues and is a decent GPP option. New Orleans has allowed five touchdowns to running backs over the past three weeks.

Saints

Drew Brees, QB, $6,100

Brees is no longer a top-flight QB1, but he isn’t cooked either. He has had productive outings in each of the past two weeks, totaling five TDs, one turnover and an average of 267 passing yards. He should turn in another good stat line against a defense that was embarrassed by Tom Brady in Week 4.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, $4,800

After a couple of disappointing games, Sanders awoke in Weeks 3 and 4, catching 10 of 14 targets for 149 yards and a touchdown. Michael Thomas may return from his high ankle sprain, but even if so, Sanders should still see enough usage to be worthwhile in a beatable matchup.