Saints vs. Chargers score, takeaways: New Orleans overcomes self-inflicted wounds as defense wins the day

Jameis Winston had another efficient preseason outing, while the Chargers' Easton Stick was up and down

Even though the roof of SoFi Stadium kept the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers dry in Southern California, the two offenses operated like they were stuck in mud of the tropical storm raging outside. The Saints took a three-point lead at the half and held on for a 22-17 win. The first six drives of the game were punts -- three by each team -- and two of the three New Orleans scores came off of turnovers. 

The Saints needed a takeaway in order to score the game's first touchdown. Shortly after Chargers starting quarterback Easton Stick -- who took every snap in place of Justin Herbert, who has never played a preseason game -- had consecutive completions for first downs, football disaster struck after Los Angeles. Saints defensive end Payton Turner, a 2021 first-round pick, smacked the football right out of Stick's hands for a strip sack, and first-round rookie defensive tackle Bryan Bresee jumped on it.

New Orleans began its next drive at the Chargers 33 after a takeaway, and three plays later the Saints found themselves in the end zone courtesy of rookie third-round running back Kendre Miller. 

Stick compiled 233 yards through the air and two interceptions while rushing for a couple scores on the ground to go along with 63 yards on seven carries. 

Saints rookie fourth-round backup Jake Haener had an efficient second half, throwing for 118 yards on 11-of-17 passing, after Jameis Winston had a solid first half.

Here are our takeaways from SoFi Stadium. 

Winston shows he can be a capable option should something go wrong with Carr

After a stellar performance in Week 1 of the preseason against the Chiefs (92 passing yards and a touchdown on 11-of-13 passing) Jameis Winston put up another efficient performance in Week 2 against the Chargers. He completed 13 of his 21 attempts for 169 yards, including a nice deep ball to rookie running back Kendre Miller that set up the game's first touchdown.

Speaking of....

It's Miller Time: Rookie could be capable Alvin Kamara fill-in

Third-round rookie running back Kendre Miller willed the Saints into the end zone for their first touchdown. The TCU Horned Frog made an incredible, over-the-shoulder diving catch on a throw from starting quarterback Jameis Winston that resulted in a 27-yard gain down to the Los Angeles 7. Miller ran the ball in himself to gain the final seven yards for the game's first touchdown. Miller finished the half as the Saints' only ball-carrier, totaling 23 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. He also added 35 receiving yards on three catches. Miller said he "could do the same thing" as Alvin Kamara earlier this offseason, and he put together a Kamara-like effort in the preseason format. Perhaps he pushes Jamaal Williams, who didn't suit up Sunday, for touches during Kamara's three-game suspension. 

Sloppy Saints: Penalties abound for New Orleans

New Orleans committed a whopping 14 penalties, across all three phases of football (offense, defense, and special teams), which lost them a combined 141 yards. Those 14 infractions are the most committed by any NFL team in a single game this preseason. Naturally, their 141 penalty yards lost are also the most lost by any NFL team in a single game this preseason. While many starters didn't play on Sunday, when the figure is this high, that lets head coach Dennis Allen know he may need to take a decent amount time out of practice to address the issue. 

Saints kicker competition is in full force

One of the under-the-radar training camp battles around the league is the Saints kicker job. After rookie Blake Grupe hit two field goals in the first half Sunday, a 35-yarder and a 37-yarder, incumbent Wil Lutz drained a couple, a 51-yard blast and a 33-yard score. 

The reason there's a competition at all is because Lutz's 74.2% field goal percentage (23-for-31) last season ranked 31st out of 32 kickers to attempt 20 or more field goals in 2022. 

Stick has a rollercoaster-like day, looks like a backup QB

Stick didn't have to split time with rookie seventh-round pick Max Duggan this week. He finished the game as the Chargers only quarterback, compiling 233 yards through the air and two interceptions while rushing for a couple scores on the ground to go along with 63 yards on seven carries. His final pick was an underthrown prayer toward the end zone that Saints cornerback Lonnie Johnson snagged with ease after Stick was hit as he threw by New Orleans linebacker Ty Summers.   

That type of uneven play leaves him as the projected number two quarterback for the Chargers behind Justin Herbert, but his many miscues leave the door cracked open for Duggan to make offensive coordinator Kellen Moore think about the competition should the reigning Heisman Trophy runner-up have a collegiate-like performance in their preseason finale. 

[Aug 20, 2023 at 10:09 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Haener is nearly intercepted, but the Chargers get the stop they need to go and win the game. They'll get the ball back at their own 40 with just over two-and-a-half minutes to play. 

[Aug 20, 2023 at 10:05 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Easton Stick has had an uneven day throwing the ball, but he's been savvy as a rusher today, now up to 63 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries after the quarterback sneak score. Chargers trail by only five, 22-17, with 3:46 to go. 

[Aug 20, 2023 at 9:52 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

After the penalty, Lutz drains his third field goal of the game from four yards out, running the Saints lead up to double-digits, 22-10, with 7:38 left to play. 

[Aug 20, 2023 at 9:40 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Easton Stick is dropped for a 15-yard-loss on a fourth-and-three after he is simply unable to find anyone open downfield. The Saints take possession in opponent territory, at the Chargers 41, up 19-10. There's 12:20 to go in the game. 

[Aug 20, 2023 at 9:35 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Saints kicker battle is in full force. After rookie Blake Grupe hit two field goals in the first half, a 35-yarder and a 37-yarder, incumbent Wil Lutz drains his second of the second half, a 51-yard blast. That runs New Orleans lead up to two scores for the first time today, 19-10, just seconds into the fourth quarter. Lutz also connected on a 33-yarder in the third quarter. 

The reason there's a competition at all is because Lutz's 74.2% field goal percentage (23-for-31) last season ranked 31st out of 32 kickers to attempt 20 or more field goals in 2022.