Saints @ Chargers
Final Score: Patriots 25, Jets 22
Writer: Brett Ford (@Fadethatman)
This is one of those games that proves the tagline, “We watch every game so you don’t have to.” The Saints traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers on Sunday in what most would consider to be one of the more boring matchups of the day. A non-divisional matchup between two teams with below-average offenses, slow tempos, and middling expectations. There were bright spots to this one, however most of them were in powder blue and gold as Ladd McConkey stole the show. Let’s dig in.
Two Up
- Ladd McConkey – Proved to be more dynamic than the archetype that some still have him labeled under with two electric touchdown grabs.
- Chris Olave – Returned from injury to claim a massive target share and season-high production.
Two Down
- Bub Means – Relegated back to a reserve role with the return of Olave, claimed just a 20% snap share.
- Spencer Rattler – He was replaced by Jake Haener to “give the team a spark.”
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Spencer Rattler: 12/24, 156 Yards
Oh boy, Spencer. Rattler completed just 50% of his passes and had the Saints offense looking mostly listless. Of his 24 passes, nine of them targeted Kamara out of the backfield as he seemed to shy away from getting the ball to his primary read. He also didn’t use his legs at all, not even attempting a scramble. There’s something to be said for the determination to throw the ball, but as a young, athletic quarterback, it would likely benefit Rattler and the Saints to create some plays on the ground as well. He was pulled in the third quarter as the Saints turned to Jake Haener, who carried the team to two field goal attempts (one miss) down the stretch.
Jake Haener: 9/17, 122 yards | 2 Carries, 10 Yards
With Rattler falling foul on the Saints’ final drive of the game with a knock to the hip, 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener entered and delivered the perfect cameo in the final two minutes, going 3-for-4 for 38 yards and throwing for the Saints’ only touchdown of the game, a 12-yard pass to Cedric Wilson Jr. If Derek Carr is to miss more time, it will likely be Haener and not Rattler who will get the next shot.
Running Back
Alvin Kamara: 10 Carries, 67 Yards | 11 Targets, 6 Receptions, 55 Yards
Kamara did his thing, carrying the ball for a 6.7 YPC while also pulling in six dump-off passes on 11 targets. Kamara saw most of his passing game action with Rattler in the game, as the rookie quarterback found his running back several times out of the backfield. Once Haener replaced Rattler, Haener targeted Kamara just twice and connected with him just once. However, by the time Haener entered, the game was mostly out of hand. Kamara was on the field for 40 snaps, while Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams combined for 33 snaps, though Miller suffered a second-half injury and missed most of the third and fourth quarters.
Kendre Miller: 3 Carries, 16 Yards
Jamaal Williams: 2 Carries, 4 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Chris Olave: 14 Targets, 8 Receptions, 107 Yards
Olave was back with a vengeance on Sunday, returning to the lineup after missing last week with a concussion. He had a pedestrian first half as Rattler struggled to connect with his alpha wide receiver. However, when Haener entered the game, it was clear that the backup quarterback was force-feeding his top receiving option. Haener targeted Olave 10 times out of his 17 passes, a massive 58.8% target share. If Haener is given the start next week (or if Carr returns), have faith that Olave’s numbers will continue to improve.
Juwan Johnson: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 48 Yards
Johnson was the Saints’ primary passing tight end in this one, running 17 routes on 32 offensive snaps (compared to Foster Moreau with just one target on 57 offensive snaps). Johnson pulled in three catches, including a nice 22-yard snag for a big play. With competent quarterback play, he might even be viable in fantasy lineups. I never thought I’d say it, but I miss Derek Carr.
Taysom Hill: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards | 4 Carries, 20 Yards | 1/1, 3 Yards
Hill did a little bit of everything this week, toting the ball four times, throwing it once, and running 19 routes for a pair of receptions and 21 yards. He played just 44% of snaps but was utilized on almost half of them, elite usage numbers. He also played just a quarter of the snaps in the fourth quarter, so there’s hope that he’s used even more in a close game. For any format where Hill is tight end eligible, he’s an asset worth rostering because he will pop off for a big week one of these days.
Foster Moreau: 1 Target
Bub Means: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 36 Yards
Mason Tipton: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 20/32, 279 Yards, 2 TDs | 4 Carries, 49 Yards
Herbert started slowly with the Chargers’ first three drives, all ending in punt attempts (including one safety on a special teams gaffe). He did lead his squad to a touchdown drive in the second quarter, putting together a 15-play, 90-yard thing of beauty to extend the Chargers’ lead. The slow, methodical Chargers offense hit a big play later in the second half when Herbert connected with McConkey for a 60-yard catch and run. Herbert put faith in McConkey to beat his man, giving him a 50-50 ball on the right sideline and cashed it in for a long score. In the fourth quarter, he connected with McConkey again, extending the play and hitting the rookie wide receiver in the corner of the end zone. Herbert extended a handful of plays with his legs and looked spry, carrying the ball for 49 yards as well, including a 38-yard gainer where he looked FAST… and then hit the truck stick at the end. Clearly, it fired up his team.
Justin Herbert looked like he was trying to end Tyrann Mathieu at the end of this run pic.twitter.com/fwairjZlmh
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) October 27, 2024
Running Back
J.K. Dobbins: 17 Carries, 57 Yards, TD | 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 11 Yards
If Dobbins is going to get bellcow running back work out of the backfield AND seven targets a game, he’s going to be a league-winning running back. Dobbins was on the field for 54 of 66 offensive snaps for the Chargers, dominated the carries, and was a major factor in the passing game. He’s a must-start RB1 until proven otherwise. His touchdown came on a goal-line run, one play after Hassan Haskins was stuffed.
Kimani Vidal: 6 Carries, 16 Yards
Vidal was given a career-high six carries but didn’t hit the big play this week as he did in the past. On the field for just 11 snaps, it will be difficult for the rookie to make an impact if his snap share continues to be so limited.
Hassan Haskins: 1 Carry
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ladd McConkey: 6 Targets, 6 Receptions, 111 Yards, 2 TDs
Finally healthy, McConkey showed what he is capable of. He made a handful of big plays, but none bigger than the 60-yard grab on an out-and-up that he high-pointed away from a defender on the sideline and then scampered to the end zone. McConkey showed that he is more than the short-yardage archetype – that he can be a legit intermediate and deep-threat wide receiver. He finished with a second touchdown after Herbert extended the play and found his favorite target in the corner of the end zone.
Ladd Mcconkey brought the BOOM pic.twitter.com/T3DDIdJPsD
— Paulos (@LoswitheMos) October 27, 2024
Will Dissly: 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 41 Yards
Will Dissly is a major part of the Chargers offense and has now caught 13 passes on 18 targets and 122 yards over the past two weeks combined. With as volatile as the tight end landscape is in fantasy this season – though National Tight Ends Week really brought up the averages – Dissly is a fringe consideration for starting lineups and should be rostered in most 12-15 team leagues.
Simi Fehoko: 2 Targets
Though he didn’t pull in a target, Fehoko was on the field more than any other Chargers wide receiver.
Joshua Palmer: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 38 Yards
Palmer continues to be more bust than boom, though he did pull in two receptions for 72 yards in this one. He’s been pigeonholed as the Chargers’ deep threat and hasn’t seen his role grow at all as anticipated coming into the season.
Jalen Reagor: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 35 Yards
Reagor may have finally found a home in Los Angeles after bouncing around the league. He caught both of his targets, including a 24-yard chunk play.