Jaguars 31, Saints 24: Game Balls

Which Jaguars had truly standout performances on Thursday Night Football vs. the New Orleans Saints?

The Jacksonville Jaguars faced a formidable opponent on Thursday night in the New Orleans Saints. The storied franchise currently sports the league’s sixth-best total defense, allowing 186 passing yards and less than 100 rushing yards per game.

The Jaguars offense cleared both benchmarks with a red-hot start.

Jacksonville got out of the gates and drove 75 yards in ten plays, giving running back Travis Etienne Jr. a golden opportunity to score the game’s opening touchdown. An uninspiring Saints offense could only muster a field goal following a Christian Kirk fumble, and Etienne quickly extended their lead on the ensuing drive with his second rushing touchdown on the day.

The two offenses struggled in the second quarter’s closing minutes, but exchanged field goals before entering the half. The Jacksonville defense opened the second half with a pick-six, but needed their offense to make a play after quarterback Derek Carr turned back the clock and scored 15 unanswered points.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Trevor Lawrence found Kirk on 2nd and eight from the New Orleans 46. Kirk secured the catch just three yards from the line of scrimmage, but just 10 seconds later found himself dancing in the endzone.

Kirk’s massive play gave Jacksonville a seven-point advantage they would ride into the metaphorical sunset, but not before Carr made certain Duval faithful would have to sweat this one out.

Having already gained 69 yards in 11 plays, Carr and the Saints offense had one last chance to tie the game on 4th and goal from the Jaguars 6-yard line. After tight end Foster Moreau nearly secured home this week’s defensive Game Ball by dropping a go-ahead touchdown on third down, Carr took one last shot to wide receiver Chris Olave in the left corner of the endzone.

2022 seventh round pick Montaric Brown was all over it, blanketing the former-Buckeye and spoiling New Orleans’ comeback hopes.

In a game where defense was expected to reign supreme, the Jacksonville Jaguars offense had their best outing of the season and secured their fourth straight win. The defense, despite allowing over 400 total yards, was equally as impactful in the Jags’ fifth win of the season.

Defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot secured the team’s lone sack, while Josh Allen tallied three quarterback hits. Cornerbacks Tre Herndon, Montaric Brown and Dariuos Williams each defended two passes while linebackers Devin Lloyd II and Foyesade Oluokon combined for 25 tackles.

The special teams unit had yet another nearly-perfect game, sas punter Logan Cooke made certain that any drive for New Orleans would start in the shadow of their own endzone. Kicker Brandon McManus continued to impress, nailing his only field goal attempt and drilling all four of his extra point attempts.

Each of Jacksonville’s five victories has been a team effort, with a variety of players making impactful contributions in a variety of ways. Thursday night was no different, again making the process of selecting just three standouts extremely difficult.

This time, however, I think you’d be hard-pressed to argue with these three.

Offense: QB Trevor Lawrence

Hours before kickoff, Lawrence’s status was seriously in question. Having sustained an injury to his left knee against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, Lawrence practiced in a knee brace throughout the week.

Despite sporting the very same brace on Thursday night, his knee looked fine to me.

The former-Clemson Tiger showed no fear, scrambling and making plays on the move that left the Saints defense searching for answers. Lawrence finished the day with eight rushes for 59 yards, leading the team and outgaining all other Jacksonville rushers combined.

His numbers on the ground are eye-popping, but the game was won through the air. Lawrence’s lone passing touchdown was both his first in New Orleans and the game-winner; it wasn’t one for the record books, but his clean and efficient game was exactly what Jacksonville needed.

Lawrence has now thrown for over 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns on the season, posting quarterback ratings of 100 or more in three of the last four contests. With his number one target in the passing game seemingly shut-down by cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the Saints stingy defense forced Lawrence to rely on Kirk and tight end Evan Engram.

The results speak for themselves.

Defense: LB Foyesade Oluokun

If you’ll recall last week’s edition of Game Balls, I made the fateful declaration that; “[Foyesade] rarely racks up the ‘flashy’ stats like sacks or interceptions.” Obviously, I can’t take credit for his incredible performance on Thursday.

That, however, won’t stop me from maintaining that I at least gave him some bulletin board material.

Against the New Orleans Saints Oluokun put forth yet another dominant performance, establishing himself as Jacksonville’s premiere defensive player and playing his way into the All-Pro consideration. The former Falcon posted a stateline of 14 total tackles and two pass deflections; his second straight game with two pass breakups, and his fifth game with 10 or more tackles.

As one of the league’s best tacklers, Oluokun’s sure-tackling has routinely prevented the chance for turnovers due to how quickly he can shut down a play. Against the Saints, Oluokun’s dirty work was finally rewarded.

Trailing 17-9 with seven minutes left in the third quarter Carr knew he had to make a play, and forced a pass intended for rookie wideout Rashid Shaheed into tight coverage. Darious Williams was all over it, and tipped the ill-advised pass right into the hands of Oluokun.

The sixth-year veteran went rumbling–and stumbling–through traffic and into the endzone for his first NFL touchdown. If there were any demons regarding his 2-6 record against NOLA with Atlanta, they’ve surely been exorcized.

Special Teams: P/QB Logan Cooke

When you pass for a first down on a scoring drive, even as a quarterback, you get some flowers. When you do it as a punter, you get a Game Ball.

Routinely recognized for his other-wordly ability to down punts within the 20, Cooke decided to shift gears on a drive that had already stalled out at the New Orlean’s 46. On 4th and two Cooke lined up to punt; the ball was snapped, and the sixth year veteran wound up to launch it before pulling it back and slinging it to wide receiver Tim Jones for a crucial first down.

The offense would capitalize, adding three to the scoreboard before halftime.

Besides his lone pass attempt Cooke was his usual dominant self, pinning the Saints within their own 20-yard line four times in his five punts. On the season, Cooke is on-pace to set a new career-high in punts downed within 20-yards; he currently has 18, spotting a career-best 62.07% of his kicks within the opposition’s 20.