Sunday Night Football: The Saints try to avoid falling to an 0-5 hole

The Saints are in disarray, looking for their first win of the season as they host the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. According to the oddsmakers at America's Bookie, the Saints are 3½-point favorites and the total is set at 52.

The Chargers are off to a 3-1 start, as they've committed multiple turnovers in a game just once this season. The Chargers haven't been explosive on offense, but quarterback Philip Rivers and especially running back Ryan Mathews will have a chance to get going against a Saints team that has the worst defense in the league (463.3 total yards per game allowed). The Saints have allowed 400-plus yards in each of their four games this season. They had a chance to steal a win against the Packers last week but lost on a late missed field goal. They have four losses of eight points or less this season.

Philip Rivers bounced back from a rough Week 3 game against the Falcons (45.2 QB rating, 0 touchdowns, two interceptions), by completing 18 of 23 passes (78%) for 209 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the 37-20 win against the Chiefs last Sunday. Running back Ryan Mathews had another solid day as he works his way back from a broken clavicle, rushing for 61 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 21 receiving yards. Running back Jackie Battle has shared the rushing workload but he gained just 39 yards on 15 carries (2.6 yards per carry) against the Chiefs. Defensively, the Chargers secondary is hurting, with just three healthy cornerbacks, but they have really stopped the run effectively all season, allowing just 79.3 rushing yards per game (5th in the league). Their defense also forced six turnovers in last week's win.

Drew Brees has thrown a touchdown pass in 47 straight games, tying the record set by Johnny Unitas in 1960. The last time he faced his former team was in 2008 in London. He threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns that day, leading the Saints to a 37-32 win. Brees is coming off his best performance of the season (446 passing yds, three touchdowns and zero interceptions) against the Packers.

The Saints have just six sacks this season, which is the fourth-lowest total in the NFL. Injuries have also been a big factor to the front seven. Linebacker David Hawthorne (hamstring) and defensive end Turk McBride (ankle) are doubtful for this game while defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (illness), linebacker Jonathan Casillas (neck) and safety Roman Harper (hip) are questionable.

The Saints defense has been horrible. The main reason for their winless season is that their defense that can't stop anyone. The Saints have their backs against the wall, they will be at home, in primetime with Drew Brees facing his old team and going for a historic record and the Chargers have found a running game with Ryan Mathewes and Jackie Battle.

This game will be a shootout, the Chargers have scored at least 22 points in each of their first four games while the Saints have scored 24 points or more in their four losses. Look for this game to go over the total.

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