With a tropical storm looming for the Los Angeles area, the NFL met with the New Orleans Saints and Chargers on Friday via conference call to determine whether they would play their regularly scheduled preseason game on Sunday.
Weather reports indicate the Los Angeles area will receive the aftereffects of Hurricane Hilary, likely in the form of a tropical storm. The NFL is not the only professional sports league impacted, and MLB and MLS made their decisions on how to proceed given the expected inclement weather.
Will the Saints vs. Chargers Game Be Postponed?
Following Friday’s conference call, the teams and the NFL determined to play the game as originally scheduled. The game will continue forth, beginning at 7:05 p.m. ET, at SoFi Stadium.
Despite tropical storm warning in L.A., Saints-Chargers is due to proceed as scheduled on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. PT. https://t.co/P3Oy408AVO
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 19, 2023
What Did the Saints’ Coaching Staff Think of This Decision?
Saints head coach Dennis Allen had some thoughts on the matter.
“Obviously, with the weather, the most important thing is that everybody stays safe, so whatever it takes for everybody to stay safe, that’s what we’ve got to do.”
Dennis Allen on the #Saints eagerness for the preseason opener on Sunday 💪 pic.twitter.com/3iNqNjbfLt
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 11, 2023
Do Hurricanes Impact Sports in Los Angeles?
Not at all. The Los Angeles area is typically immune to hurricanes or tropical storms. For this area, this is considered an unprecedented event.
According to the National Weather Service, a tropical storm hasn’t hit landfall in Southern California since Sept. 25, 1939.
How did other professional sports leagues proceed?
MLB thought it prudent and proactive to move three games in the geographic area to Saturday for doubleheaders, avoiding any potential issue with the incoming weather.
MLS decided to reschedule two of the games scheduled for Sunday night.
What Can We Expect in the Saints vs. Chargers Game?
Expect a cameo from Derek Carr. If his cameo in this game is anything like the last one, it’s worth tuning in.
Derek Carr to Chris Olave & Michael Thomas #saints pic.twitter.com/bwdTJQ2dZD
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) August 17, 2023
Carr was sensational in New Orleans’ first preseason game, driving the Saints down the field. The Saints will likely ask Carr to get his feet wet in Week 2 and quickly pull him.
The Chargers continue to implement the new, high-octane Kellen Moore offense. Expect a faster tempo and spreading the ball around to multiple playmakers.
For the receivers on the field, expect Moore to move them all over the field, in various positions, to take advantage of the defense.