Saints Defense Faces Off Against Multi-Faceted Jaguars Offense

A talented Saints defense faces big challenges against a Jacksonville offense that can beat opponents in several ways.

After an uneven defensive performance against the Houston Texans last week, the New Orleans Saints defense takes on the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars at home on Thursday. New Orleans looked helpless against the Texans offense in the first half on Sunday. They gave up 238 yards in the first two quarters, including 97 on the ground, and generated zero pressure on QB C.J. Stroud. 

The Saints adjusted beautifully and clamped down in the second half, holding Houston to just 59 yards and 0 for 5 on third downs through the last two quarters. Nevertheless, an inept offense has forced the defense to try and carry a now 3-3 squad. 

New Orleans ranks 5th in total defense, but they've had some key breakdowns in crucial moments. On a short week, they now take on a defending AFC South champion Jaguars team off to a 4-2 start. Jacksonville ranks 13th in total offense, but has tons of young talent around QB Trevor Lawrence. 

Jaguars Offense 

• Yards = 13th (337.3 yards/game)

• Points = 23.7 (10th)

• 8 turnovers 

• Pass = 12th (223.8 yards/game)

• 16 sacks

• Run = 16th (113 yards/game)

• 3.8 per carry (23rd)

Oct 8, 2023; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest news to watch out of Jacksonville this week will be the status of Trevor Lawrence, their star third-year quarterback. Lawrence injured his knee in Sunday's win over Indianapolis. It's been reported that it isn't a serious injury, but could affect his status in such a short turnaround. 

Lawrence has completed over 67% of his throws with seven touchdowns and three interceptions and is one of the league's better quarterbacks. If he can't go, mobile veteran C.J. Beathard will take the helm. Beathard is a 59% career passer with 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over six years in predominantly backup duty with the 49ers and Jaguars. He has a 2-10 career record as a starter.

If Lawrence is out, that'll mean even more activity for third-year RB Travis Etienne. Already the NFL leader in offensive touches, Etienne has 451 rushing yards with five scores and 21 receptions for 172 yards.

A dynamic and versatile playmaker, Etienne is a cutback runner at his best outside the tackles and in space. He's also an extremely dangerous receiver, either on swing passes after the catch or downfield routes.

Oct 8, 2023; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) outruns Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) on a 35-yard touchdown run. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars have a group of athletic pass catchers. Explosive TE Evan Engram has 301 yards on a team-high 36 catches, but has yet to reach the end zone. He's one of the most athletic tight ends in the league and provides a big coverage mismatch. Another injury status to watch is WR Zay Jones. The team's second leading receiver in 2022 is a deep threat and underrated route runner, but has missed three of the last four weeks with a knee injury. 

Christian Kirk was Jacksonville's leading receiver in 2022 with a career-best 84 catches and 1,108 yards. Kirk, a speedy deep threat, is on a similar pace this year with 33 receptions and 384 yards. Calvin Ridley has bounced back from almost two years of inactivity to be a big part of the offense, catching 26 balls for 363 yards.

Jacksonville has an outstanding pair of edge blockers in LT Cam Robinson and RT Anton Harrison. However, the status of both their guards in very much in question for a Thursday game. Veteran RG Brandon Scherff injured his ankle against the Colts, while LG Walker Little missed that game altogether with a knee injury. Tyler Shatley and Blake Hance will flank C Luke Fortner if neither can suit up.

Saints Defense 

• Yards = 5th (278.3 yards/game)

• Points = 6th (16/game)

• 10 turnovers 

• 3rd Downs = 32.1% (4th)

• vs. Pass = 5th (182 yards/game)

• 55.9% completion percentage 

• 8 interceptions (3rd)

• 13 sacks/30 QB hits

• vs. Run = 9th (96.3 yards/game)

• 3.9 per carry (14th)

Oct 15, 2023; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans struggled defensively in the first half against Houston, but ultimately rebounded to play a good game. They've held four of six opponents under 300 yards of total offense and less than 190 net passing yards.

Star LB Demario Davis is dealing with a knee injury sustained against the Texans. He didn't miss any snaps, but his status on a short week is worth monitoring. Davis is one of the NFL's best all-around defenders and is second on the team in tackles and sacks.

Pete Werner strongly complements Davis at linebacker. Werner isn't as good as Davis in man coverage, but shows solid instincts in zone duties and leads the team with 43 tackles. Both players are outstanding against the run and can be disruptive blitzers. 

The Saints are capable of a strong pass rush, but it's one that's disappeared for stretches in three different games. Veteran DE Cameron Jordan has had a quiet year statistically with one sack and 11 pressures, but still gets fairly consistent penetration and is terrific against the run. 

On the other edge, DE Carl Granderson leads the team with 4 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. Granderson can be out-muscled by physical run blocking at times, but takes excellent angles to the ball carrier. Tanoh Kpassagnon provides solid depth along the outside with the versatility to move inside in passing situations. 

Sep 18, 2023; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (93). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY

New Orleans defensive tackles have played exemplary football, shutting off inside rushing lanes and getting nice interior push as pass rushers. First-round pick Bryan Bresee has lived up to his hype and is improving with each week. Bresee has 1.5 sacks, 6 pressures, and four tackles for loss while displaying impressive power and agility. 

Veteran offseason pickup Nathan Shepherd has been a terrific addition. Shepherd has one sack and four pressures, but has been even more impressive against the run. Malcolm Roach and Khalen Saunders complete a strong interior rotation, with Kpassagnon adding even more pass rush.

The Saints have yet to allow a back to gain 65 yards on the ground against them. However, they've had some trouble with agile cutback runners with speed on the edge -- exactly the type they'll be facing in Jacksonville's Etienne. 

New Orleans has allowed one 100-yard receiver and two others over 70 yards with no passer throwing for more than 260 yards. They've been prone to some tackling issues and questionable penalties on the back end, but boast the league's deepest secondary. Their eight interceptions after six games already surpasses their total from all of 2022.

At safety, Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu make up an underrated duo with rookie Jordan Howden developing quickly. Maye and Mathieu, who have one interception each, have outstanding range and instincts in coverage but are versatile enough to play well at the line of scrimmage. 

Sep 24, 2023; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) breaks up a pass to Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs (87). Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen-USA TODAY Sports

No team has a cornerback unit as deep in talent as the Saints. Elite CB Marshon Lattimore has been inconsistent recently, but can shadow the league's top wideouts with top-tier man coverage. Lattimore has one interception, six passes broken up, and allows less than 54% completion percentage when targeted. 

Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor are two athletic and physical players that would be the Number 1 corner on most teams. Taylor can play outside or in the slot and has broken up seven throws while allowing a 56% completion rate.

Adebo has an interception and three passes broken up while giving up 57% completion percentage. Isaac Yiadom played terrific as an injury replacement for Adebo for two weeks, giving up just 47% completion percentage while intercepting one pass and breaking up seven others. 

What to Watch 

Oct 13, 2019; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15). Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY

Expect the Saints to play their normal style of aggressive man coverage on the Jacksonville wideouts. It's one of the game's biggest matchups, but New Orleans has contained the league's deepest receiving corps before. The Saints must find an answer to Evan Engram after struggling against tight ends in recent weeks. 

New Orleans needs to stop the explosive Etienne from having a major impact on the game. Especially after having issues against a similar type of back, but far less talented, in Devin Singletary last week. Tackling and lateral pursuit will be vital. 

Injury issues along the interior of Jacksonville's line could bode well for the New Orleans defensive tackles. Creating interior disruption shuts off cutback lanes for Etienne and would hurry Trevor Lawrence as he goes through his progressions. 

Saints defensive ends Jordan and Granderson square off against a terrific tackle tandem of Harrison and Robinson. Jordan and Granderson must not only pressure Lawrence, but also force Etienne to go east-west along the edge and give an opportunity for pursuit (Davis/Werner) to track him down. 

Lawrence is the most complete quarterback the Saints have faced so far. He is expected to play, but his mobility could be limited by the knee injury. While poised in the pocket, it is still vital that the Saints generate consistent pressure to keep him from getting into a rhythm. It's something they failed to do against Jordan Love late, Baker Mayfield at all, and C.J. Stroud in the first half. Not coincidentally, all three games resulted in losses.