Numbers to Know: Saints lose at Chargers, 26-8

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints are now on a 6-game losing streak following their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Their 26-8 deficit is their third consecutive loss by double-digits and the team looks to be nearing rock bottom. Here are some of the most important numbers to know from the Saints’ recent and frustrating outing. 

2: Good for two points, the Saints achieved their first safety since 2020 thanks to a special teams miscue by the Chargers.

6: New Orleans is currently in line to receive the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

6.7: On the ground, Saints running back Alvin Kamara averaged 6.7 yards per carry. Despite that success, the Saints got away from their run game, which was amplified by the opening scoring deficit in the second half.

8: Since the retirement of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees after the 2020 season, 8 quarterbacks have attempted at least 20 passes for the Saints. Ian Book (20), Jake Haener (29), Spencer Rattler (99), Taysom Hill (165), Trevor Siemian (187), Jameis Winston (322), Andy Dalton (378), and Derek Carr (676)

13: Third downs were a major challenge for New Orleans. The team converted only 13 percent of them, going 2-of-16. The team’s average yards-to-go on third down was 9.4 yards.

26.3: Per Next Gen Stats, the Chargers were surrendering the third-highest pressure percentage in the NFL going into Week 8 against the Saints, allowing pressure on over 38 percent of drop backs. However, the Saints only pressured Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on 26.3 percent of drop backs on Sunday.

51.2: Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener completed just 51.2 percent of their passes against the Chargers, per Pro Football Focus. Both players also faced a combined pressure rate of just over 30 percent per drop back.

158.3: Herbert had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 when targeting receivers 20 or more yards downfield. He completed 4 of his 5 attempts for 158 passing yards and a 60-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run by rookie wideout Ladd McConkey.

208: The Saints’ run defense has struggled in recent weeks. They have allowed an average of 208 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks, the NFL’s worst average in that span. The next worst team, the Seattle Seahawks, is allowing 182.3, more than twenty yards less per game.

2005: The last time New Orleans had a 6-game losing streak.