When people talk about the "Brees-Rivers legacy" or the strange history of the New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Chargers matchup, they usually focus on the trade that changed NFL history back in 2006. But if you’ve actually watched these two teams lately, specifically during their 2024 and 2025 clashes, you know it’s evolved into something far more gritty. It’s no longer just a "what if" scenario about old quarterbacks. Honestly, it's become a measuring stick for how two historic franchises are trying to claw their way back to elite status.
The most recent regular-season encounter on October 27, 2024, at SoFi Stadium was a bit of a reality check for New Orleans. The Chargers took a 26-8 win that day, but the score doesn't tell the whole story of the absolute defensive slugfest that happened in Inglewood.
The 2024 Breakdown: What Really Went Down
Entering that Week 8 game, the Saints were spiraling. They had started the year 2-0 before losing five straight. Losing a sixth in a row to Jim Harbaugh’s squad was a gut punch. Justin Herbert wasn't just throwing; he was scrambling. He ripped off a career-long 38-yard run that basically deflated the Saints' defense.
New Orleans was playing shorthanded. Derek Carr was out with an oblique injury, leaving rookie Spencer Rattler to deal with a ferocious Chargers pass rush. Rattler finished 12 of 24 for 156 yards before being pulled for Jake Haener. Neither could find the end zone. The Saints didn't score a single touchdown. Their only points came from two Blake Grupe field goals and a bizarre safety caused by a bad snap on a Chargers punt.
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On the flip side, Ladd McConkey was a problem. The Chargers rookie wideout went for 111 yards and two touchdowns, proving he’s the real deal. Alvin Kamara did what he could, racking up 122 scrimmage yards, but he was essentially a one-man army in a failing system.
The 2025 Preseason and the Future Outlook
Fast forward to August 10, 2025. The New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Chargers met again in the preseason opener. Again, the Chargers won, this time 27-13.
What was interesting here wasn't the final score—preseason scores are mostly for the gamblers and the desperate—but the quarterback play. Trey Lance, now with the Chargers, looked rejuvenated. He ran for a touchdown and kept the chains moving. For the Saints, Tyler Shough hooked up with Mason Tipton for a 54-yard bomb that gave fans a fleeting moment of hope for the deep passing game.
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Looking ahead to 2026, the schedule makers have the Saints facing a grueling road. While they don't meet the Chargers in the 2026 regular season, the history between these teams remains a talking point because of the front-office connections. Jim Harbaugh has built the Chargers into a mirror image of his old Michigan teams: tough, run-heavy, and defensively disciplined. The Saints are still trying to find that identity under their post-Dennis Allen transition.
Key Stats and Head-to-Head Context
The Chargers lead the all-time regular-season series 8-6. It's close.
- First Meeting: November 18, 1973 (Chargers won 17-14).
- The Brees Era: Since 2000, the Saints actually lead the series 4-2, highlighted by a 37-35 win in London back in 2008.
- Defensive Disparity: In 2024, the Chargers finished with the #1 scoring defense in the NFL (allowing just 17.7 points per game). The Saints struggled at 19th.
People often forget how much these teams swap players. In 2025, the Chargers roster featured guys like Tre Harris and Omarion Hampton, while the Saints were leaning heavily on the veteran leadership of Demario Davis, who hit a career-high 143 tackles last season.
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Why You Should Care
If you're a bettor or a fantasy manager, the New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Chargers games are usually "under" traps. Harbaugh’s philosophy is to "suffocate the air out of the ball." They win by 10 points in games that feel like 30-point blowouts because of the time of possession.
For the Saints, the path back to relevance involves solving the quarterback puzzle. Whether it’s Derek Carr’s final act or the development of Haener and Rattler, they need stability.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking these teams for the upcoming season, keep an eye on these specific factors:
- Watch the Trenches: The Chargers have invested heavily in the offensive line (Joe Alt is a monster). If they can't protect Herbert, the scheme falls apart.
- Saints' Cap Situation: New Orleans is always in "cap hell," which limits their ability to match the Chargers' depth in free agency. Watch for mid-season trades.
- Rookie Impact: Ladd McConkey and Mason Tipton are the names to watch. In the 2024-2025 window, these young receivers became the primary movers for their respective offenses.
To stay ahead of the curve on the next New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Chargers matchup, you should start monitoring the 2026 draft compensatory picks and the Saints' defensive coordinator search. These organizational shifts are more predictive of success than any preseason highlight reel.