Jacksonville – 31, New Orleans – 24
It wasn’t at any point easy and in the National Football League it rarely is. Thursday Night saw a then 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars team take on a 3-3 New Orleans Saints’ team that had just suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of AFC South rival the Houston Texans (20-13). All eyes were on third year Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his sprained knee (suffered in controversial play among the fanbase). Throughout the short week leading up to Thursday no one was sure whether the 6’6″ signal caller would be under center under the lights. Thanks to the Holy knee brace he did.
On a night when he easily could’ve taken it off and enjoyed the ten days between this game and their next the pride of Cartersville, GA decided that it was showtime. What was clear was that the Saints linebackers did not assume Lawrence had the same athleticism he normally puts on display. Often times it felt like no on was really concerned with Lawrence scampering what that lead too was several instances of Lawrence gaining CHUNKS. 15 to 20 yards per take off. It was necessary against a Saints front headed by Cameron Jordan (1 sack) and the surprising part of this duo Carl Granderson (4.5 sacks) that was looking to headhunt a wounded Lawrence. That’s where we meet our unsung heroes. Tackles Cam Robinson and rookie first rounder Anton Harrison contained those two ferocious ends to the tune of zero sacks. Alongside guards Tyler Shatley and Brandon Scherff and center Luke Fortner they provided a force field that kept Big 16 upright and matriculating forward.
It wasn’t all perfect for the cardiac cats. After a pick-six from stud linebacker Foyesade Oluokun that grew the score to 24-9 something…stopped clicking. As the evening became night at the Mercedes Benz Superdome something likewise started to click in the Saints offense. After a long drive that ran into the beginning of fourth quarter, a drive that saw multiple 4th downs the Saints hammered it in with Swiss Army man, Taysom Hill. After gaining only 14 yards in their first drive of the final frame they had to have Logan Cooke punt it right back. He did, what he does and punted it inside the 10 yard line. It is on this drive where the dysfunction of the Saints offense really sorta became evident. After Derek Carr launched a ball 15 yards away from any of his receivers. Carr was visibly upset on the sideline shouting at second year receiver Chris Olave.
Following another bad drive which featured a definite catch by Calvin Ridley the Jaguars run on 3rd and 1 and are stunted they run out of the shotgun on 4th and 1. A play that is inexplicably dumb. It lead to the Saints taking over at their own 53. 17 yards to Michael Thomas, 19 yard to Taysom Hill, 17 yards to Michael Thomas against replacement CB Montaric “Buster” Brown. Two. Point. Game. After the Saints run an easy pick play to Kamara it is tied at 24 all. An embarrassing drive against an inferior team for a defense that until then had been stellar.
Then it happened. With 3 minutes and 16 seconds left. Kirk 3:16 said this game is untied. Running a jerk route against safety Tyrann Mathieu is definitely a mismatch, especially in the safeties 11th year. That slight separation allows Kirk to turn on the afterburners and to quote the man himself “I don’t think I’ve run that fast since college”. The result was a 44 yard catch and run to give the Jaguars the 31-24 lead. The Saints in fill 3 minute offense drive all the way to the goal line. It’s the defense against New Orleans offense. Four plays to greatness. After two unsuccessful attempts to get in from the six the Jags blow a coverage leading to a wide open Foster Moreau in the back of the end zone. It flops off his hand. Leaving the crowd in the Big Easy wholly uneasy. But there was still one more shot. Quarterback Derek Carr looked left to his best receiver secon year man out of Ohio State Chris Olave, but it was a different sophomore player that made the play. Montaric “Buster” Brown the fill-in for injured cornerback Tyson Campbell sees the bad fade throw and gets his hands all over it.
Through a terrible week that saw their starting Quarterback injured. 19 days, 6 time zones, 4 different stadiums, 4 games the Jacksonville Jaguars walked away with 4 straight wins. Now it is on to the Pittsburgh Steelers who will host the Jags with a 4-2 record. A potentially huge matchup when it comes to early season playoff implications.
Player of the Game: Travis Etienne
Needed to See More: Calvin Ridley
Favorite Play Call: See Above
Bonehead Play Call: Shotgun on 4th and 1
