Week 7 of the NFL season began with the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) notching a victory against the New Orleans Saints (3-4) at the Caesars Superdome. The Jaguars have now extended their winning streak to four games, which includes a significant triumph over the Indianapolis Colts last week. In contrast, the Saints faced defeat against the Houston Texans in Week 6.
Kirk scores game-winning touchdown for Jaguars: Christian Kirk scores a game-winning touchdown for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they beat the New Orleans Saints 31-24 to improve to 5-2 for the season. https://t.co/BCZMtQgD91 pic.twitter.com/ThywudXolh
— Brian Fenn (@brianfenn92) October 20, 2023
Despite concerns about his left knee injury, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was active and took the field. To prepare for the possibility of Lawrence’s absence, Jacksonville promoted third-stringer Nathan Rourke from their practice squad to the active roster earlier in the week. The Jaguars demonstrated a potent passing game on their opening drive, with Lawrence throwing for 60 yards. Travis Etienne capped off the 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Mistakes committed by the Jaguars
After Blake Grupe’s 51-yard field goal attempt for the Saints missed, they quickly got the ball back on the first play of the following drive when cornerback Paulson Adebo stripped the ball from Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk. The Saints successfully recovered the fumble, as depicted below.
Following this turnover, the Saints had a three-and-out series. However, the Jaguars fumbled the punt return, giving the Saints possession at the 17-yard line. New Orleans subsequently settled for a field goal, reducing the deficit to 7-3.
The resounding roar of Clemson
Right after Lawrence’s 26-yard run, which was extended by an extra five yards due to a defensive holding penalty, Etienne secured a 17-yard touchdown for the Jaguars.
Progressing down the field
Towards the end of the second quarter, New Orleans extended their offensive drive as Derek Carr found Alvin Kamara on a fourth-and-3 play. Kamara adeptly maneuvered through the Jacksonville defense, picking up 17 yards. Following this, the Saints kicked another field goal, narrowing the score to 14-6.
Caution: Tricky Punt Upcoming
Jaguars’ punter Logan Cooke completed a pass to wide receiver Tim Jones, extending their drive just before halftime. The drive was then concluded with a successful 43-yard field goal by Brandon McManus for Jacksonville.
HALFTIME – Jaguars 17, Saints 6
Despite the Saints having more possession in the first half, they were outperformed by the Jaguars with a total yardage of 226-139. Jacksonville’s Etienne scored twice to take the lead.
HALFTIME
— Sidelines: Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) (@SSN_Jaguars) October 20, 2023
Jags end the Half with a 43 yd FG by McManus#Jaguars 17
Saints 6
1st half thoughts? pic.twitter.com/zfl7VP5uOz
Straight up the middle!
New Orleans effectively converted a fourth-and-1 from their own 48-yard line, with Kamara breaking through the Jacksonville defense for a 17-yard gain. The drive ended with Grupe making a 42-yard field goal.
Pick-Six!
On the third play of the following possession, Carr’s pass was tipped by Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams, and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun intercepted it, running it back 24 yards for a touchdown. Jacksonville led 24-9.
When Taysom goes marching in
New Orleans advanced the ball to the Jacksonville 2-yard line but struggled to find the end zone with three consecutive runs. They finally succeeded when Taysom Hill scored at the goal line on the 16th play of the drive. The Saints trailed 24-16.
The game is even!
Jacksonville turned the ball over on downs at the New Orleans 47-yard line, and the Saints capitalized on the favorable field position. Carr connected with Thomas for a 17-yard gain, then Hill for a 19-yard pickup, and wide receiver Michael Thomas caught a 17-yard touchdown near the sideline. The Saints converted a two-point attempt, tying the game at 24 with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter.
Jags strike
Both Jacksonville and New Orleans punted, and then the Jaguars scored their first offensive touchdown of the second half. Two plays after Jamal Agnew returned the punt to the Saints’ 46-yard line, Lawrence passed to Kirk, who maneuvered through the Saints defense for a 44-yard touchdown. The Jaguars led 31-24 with 3:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS BEAT THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 31-24!#JAXvsNO #Duuuval pic.twitter.com/7AlvH7UG7L
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) October 20, 2023
Jaguars get the stop
New Orleans reached the red zone on the subsequent drive but Carr couldn’t connect with a receiver on four consecutive passes from the 6-yard line. Jacksonville took a knee to end the game.
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