On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints fell to 3-3 on the season in a 20-13 loss to the Houston Texans. The offense of the Saints was 0-3 in the redzone and missed two field goals on the day as they failed to score more than 20 points for the fifth time this year.
Now New Orleans will have to regroup quickly as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a prime-time Thursday Night Football matchup. The Black and Gold have dominated in their last four games against Jacksonville, including scoring at least 38 points in two of those contests.
Their last game was four years ago when Teddy Bridgewater was the starting quarterback for the Saints while Jacksonville was rolling with Gardner Minshew as their guy under center. The game ended in 13-6 in favor of the Black and Gold. We could see a similar score due to the short turnaround and injuries at critical positions for both teams.
IS THIS THE BREAKING POINT
Players in the Saints’ locker room have expressed their dissatisfaction with how the offense has failed to be effective once they cross midfield and get into the redzone.
Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael reverts to his bad play-calling habits once they get within 20 yards of the endzone and oftentimes, this team will negate big plays and positive yardage with a poorly-timed penalty.
If the Saints go into the “mini bye” with a 3-4 record and the offense is to blame, now could be a good time to make a change with the offensive play-caller with their next game not being for another 10 days. Carmichael has a 23-game sample size of calling plays without having Sean Payton or Drew Brees by his side and the offense of New Orleans has put up 30 or more points just three times.
The Saints organization, however, hasn’t shown lately that they intend to make major changes to a coaching staff in the middle of a season even if the on-field product hasn’t lived up to their expectations.
JAGS COULD BE DOWN THEIR STAR QB
Jacksonville starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been dealing with a knee injury that has limited him in practices this week. The final injury report that came out Wednesday night said that he’ll be questionable for the game tomorrow night.
Former Iowa Hawkeye C.J. Beathard is the Jaguar’s backup in case Lawrence can’t suit up on Thursday. This injury to Lawrence could affect his performance on the field and that could open up more opportunities for Saints pass rushers to get pressure on the young QB.
Whichever quarterback starts, they’ll still have a majority of their main pass catchers such as Calvin Ridley, Chrisitan Kirk, and Evan Engram, but will be without Zay Jones.
ATTACK THE BACKFIELD
Whether Lawrence suits up on Thursday or not, a big key to a Saints victory is to continue to put said pressure on the opposing quarterback and stuff the run.
Travis Etienne has been a bell cow for Jacksonville with 100 more rush attempts than the next closest ball carrier on the Jags and has reached paydirt five times. While the Jags offensive line has allowed 16 sacks.
As a team, New Orleans has recorded 23 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Carl Granderson leads the way in both categories with 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. The Saints will need to continue that production to have a chance in this game and improve to 4-3.
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 5-2
LAST 5:
NO 13 – JAX 6
JAX 27 – NO 38
NO 23 – JAX 10
JAX 24 – NO 41
NO 19 – JAX 20
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 130-200, 1299 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT
Alvin Kamara: 52 carries, 199 yards, 1 TD
Chris Olave: 32 catches, 414 yards, 1 TD
Carl Granderson: 4.5 sacks
Pete Werner: 43 tackles (24 solo)
Blake Grupe: 13-of-16 field goals, Long of 54
JAGUARS
Trevor Lawrence: 141-210, 1439 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
Travis Etienne: 113 carries, 451 yards, 5 TD
Christian Kirk: 33 catches, 384 yards, 2 TD
Josh Allen: 7 sacks
Foyesade Oluokon: 67 tackles (44 solo)
Brandon McManus: 12-of-14 field goals. Long of 56
NOTABLE INJURIES
Saints
Ryan Ramczyk, RT, Concussion, Out
Juwan Johnson, TE, Calf, Out
J.T. Gray, S, Hamstring, Out
Landon Young, T, Hip, Out
James Hurst, OL, Ankle, Out
Demario Davis, LB, Knee, Questionable
Lonnie Johnson, S, Hamstring, Questionable
Cam Jordan, EDGE, Back, Probable
Tyrann Mathieu, S, Foot, Questionable
Chris Olave, WR, Toe, Probable
Andrus Peat, G, Groin, Questionable
Jamaal Williams, HB, Hamstring, Questionable
Derek Carr, QB, Right Shoulder, Probable
Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Knee, Questionable
Tyson Campbell, CB, Hamstring, Out
Zay Jones, WR, Knee, Out
Walker Little, T, Knee, Out
Brandon Scherff, G, Ankle, Questionable
Davon Hamilton, DT, Back, Out
The New Orleans Saints will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars for Thursday Night Football. Kickoff in the Caesars Superdome is scheduled for 7:15 and the action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.