Saints X-Factors Against Jaguars

Who comes up big for the Saints against Jacksonville? Here's a few players to watch, matchups to highlight, and who's under the most pressure tonight.

Thursday Night Football kicks off Week 7 of the NFL season with the New Orleans Saints hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. New Orleans comes in with a 3-3 record after dropping three of their last four. Jacksonville counters with a 4-2 mark and riding a three-game winning streak. Both teams are dealing with a few significant injuries heading into tonight's game.

The Saints will be without two starters, perhaps three, on their offensive line. It's a unit that's already struggled most of the year for an inept offense that ranks 20th in yards and has scored over 20 points just once. Additionally, LB Demario Davis (knee) is a game-time decision for an otherwise outstanding top-5 defense. 

Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence is dealing with a knee injury of his own, but is expected to play. The Jaguars will be without injured starters G Walker Little, WR Zay Jones, and CB Tyson Campbell. Their other starting guard, Brandon Scherff, is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. 

After awful offensive performances and some crucial defensive letdowns, this is a crucial game for the Saints on a short week. Here are some of the players that likely need to come up big to pull out a win.

Chris Olave, WR 

Sep 18, 2023; New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave (12) after a reception against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY

Olave leads the Saints with 32 receptions and 414 yards on a team-high 53 targets. He has two 100-yard outings this season, another with 96 yards, and at least six catches in four of six contests. This a year after he became just the third player in franchise history to have over 1,000 yards receiving as a rookie. 

There is no doubting Olave’s talent. He's a precise route runner, outstanding in the open field, and has game-breaking speed. However, he's been dealing with a foot injury and his effort has been questioned by some in recent weeks. 

To be an elite wideout, Olave needs to give full effort on every play regardless of situation. He's also narrowly missed out on some spectacular plays this season -- plays that the league's elite players make.

Olave is a big part of this team's present and future. He's going up against a Jacksonville defense that ranks 31st against the pass, has allowed four 100-yard receivers this year, and will be without its best corner. If Olave is going to be a special player rather than a very good one, these are the moments those type of players shine.

Pete Werner, LB

Sept. 10, 2023; Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20). 

One of the leaders of one of the league's best defenses, Werner leads the Saints with 43 total tackles and 24 solo stops. He's also made more big plays this year, recording his first career sack and first interception. 

Werner is a hard-nosed player rarely out of position and has underrated speed in pursuit. He's terrific against the run with outstanding instincts in zone coverage. An extremely intelligent defender, Werner's responsibilities will exponentially increase if Demario Davis is unable to play. 

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne is a terrific dual-threat who leads the NFL in touches. Etienne, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, has 451 yards rushing with 21 catches for 172 yards this season. He's especially a threat outside the tackles and in open space, with Jacksonville likely to lean on him even more because of Lawrence's knee injury. 

Werner and Davis, if he's able to go, will be responsible for containing Etienne. They'll be challenged to make the correct reads along with having the speed and anticipation to get to him outside the numbers or stay with him as a receiver. 

Matchup to Watch 

DEs Cam Jordan/Carl Granderson vs. OTs Anton Harrison/Cam Robinson 

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

Another key matchup is New Orleans CBs Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor, and Paulson Adebo versus Jacksonville WRs Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, and TE Evan Engram. However, the Saints could make life a lot easier on their coverage with consistent pressure on Lawrence. 

New Orleans defensive tackles need to get disruption against a shorthanded Jacksonville interior front. Doing so will not only hurry Lawrence, but also limit Etienne as a rusher. The Saints ends will face a much bigger challenge along the outside. 

Granderson is emerging as a star. He leads the team in sacks (4.5), pressures (11), and tackles for loss (7) while being the unit's most consistent disruptive force. Jordan has had a quieter year with a sack and two tackles for loss but 10 pressures. He's still capable of wrecking opposing offenses against both the run and as a pass rusher. 

Etienne is at his best off-tackle, meaning that Granderson and Jordan will need to get push on the outside but remain disciplined. It's just as crucial that they consistently pressure Lawrence, who has been sacked 16 times this year. They will be challenged to do it against a very good tackle duo of Robinson and Harrison. 

On the Spot 

Saints Offense (including Pete Carmichael)

Oct 13, 2019; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) after a catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville has 11.5 of their 12 sacks from a terrific edge trio of Josh Allen (7 sacks/20 pressures/6 tackles for loss), Travon Walker, and K'Lavon Chaisson. The Jaguars also rank 3rd against the run and have held three of six opponents to less than 70 rushing yards. 

New Orleans will be without starting RT Ryan Ramczyk and starting G/T James Hurst, with G Andrus Peat questionable and second-year LT Trevor Penning fresh off a benching for poor play. This is a Saints team that ranks 26th in sacks/pressures allowed, ranks 20th in rushing production, and 28th in yards per carry. 

Playmakers like Olave, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed need to make plays early and often while QB Derek Carr needs to be decisive with his decisions and accurate with his throws. New Orleans will need to establish balance, avoid turnovers, and actually take advantage of scoring opportunities. Again, something we've not seen this team accomplish. 

The Saints have scored fewer than 21 points in five of six games this year and have almost as many offensive turnovers (6) as touchdowns (8). Unimaginative game plans, inability to make in-game adjustments, elementary spacing of receivers, and poor execution have been weekly issues. 

Will any of that change? The last 23 games under the Dennis Allen/Pete Carmichael regime says no. However, the ability to stop this season from spiraling out of control may depend on it.