Jags Escape New Orleans with a Win after Dropped TD in Waning Seconds

Thursday Night Football saw the Saints host the Jaguars in a thrilling game that concluded in the final seconds. The Jags got their fifth win of the season to move to 5-2, winning 31-24 and dropping the Saints to 3-4. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence played very well despite being questionable due to a knee injury suffered last Sunday.

Lawrence, the number-one overall pick in 2021, has grown leaps and bounds under Head Coach Doug Pederson. Lawrence completed over two-thirds of his passes for 204 yards and a touchdown Thursday night. He may not have lit up the box score, but he did enough to get his team the win by taking care of the football. The knee also appeared in good shape, as Tlaw led the Jags in rushing that night with 59 yards. 

Running back Travis Etienne, his former college teammate, was again very effective for Jacksonville. Etienne ran for 53 yards and two touchdowns while hauling three passes for 24 yards. This young Clemson duo has been magic for the Jags since both came into the league. Etienne missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury, but when he returned he was as dynamic as ever.  

Last year's significant offseason acquisition, WR Christian Kirk, left heads scratching as the contract appeared to be an overpay. Almost a year and a half later, nearly every team I can imagine wishes they extended their offers for Kirk's services. Kirk hauled in 84 balls last year for over a thousand yards and ten touchdowns. This season has been much of the same, as Kirk had six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown last night, bringing his season totals to 39 catches, 474 yards, and three touchdowns. Kirk's impact on this team has been tremendous, and it was much of the same last week.

Defensively, Jacksonville was solid until the fourth quarter when they allowed 15 Saint points. Derek Carr struggled most of the night, relying heavily on Runningback Alvin Kamara. Kamara presented a plethora of struggles for the Jag's defense. Accumulating over 150 scrimmage yards, Kamara had arguably his best game of the season. If there is a positive offensive takeaway for New Orleans, it is that Kamara was effective throughout the game. 

Unfortunately, not much of the same can be said for Derek Carr. Carr struggled mightily in the first half; the pressure from the Jacksonville front seven proved to fluster Carr and lead to multiple empty drives. Carr completed 33/55 passes for 301 yards, a touchdown, and a pick-six that proved to be the difference maker as the Saints lost by seven. To Carr's benefit, he was under pressure, as aforementioned. The Jags registered seven QB hits and had nine pass deflections to go with it. When the pressure was on, Carr came very close to tying the game, but a dropped touchdown from tight end Foster Moreau ended the game on fourth down.

Carr was brought in as the difference-maker for the Saints, which, in my opinion, he can't fulfill. Is he a good starter? Absolutely. But can he win games when things aren't in your favor? I don't believe so. New Orleans will have to look internally and find out what they are trying to accomplish. With a good mix of young and old talent, this roster has potential but lacks results. If things continue not to go well this year, expect changes to be made this offseason.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are riding high headed into week 8. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn't miss a beat Thursday night, and as he continues to heal, he will only look better. Jacksonville must be better at converting third downs to continue their success. Third down has been an issue all season, and it was much of the same as they went 2/11 on Thursday. Head Coach Doug Pederson is an offensive mind, and with the talent on this roster, there is no reason for a team to be this bad on third down.