Jacksonville (4-2) at New Orleans (3-3)
When: Thursday, October 19th, 2023
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome,
New Orleans, LA
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: Prime
Opening Odds: Jacksonville -1/42.5
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The Jacksonville Jaguars will look to keep a hold of first place in the AFC South when they visit the struggling New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. The Jags have been featured quite a bit already this season in stand-alone games, winning back-to-back weeks in London and now playing in front of a national streaming audience. Jacksonville comes to New Orleans as a 1-point underdog with a total of 40.
The Jaguars are coming off a 37-20 home win over the Indianapolis Colts last week, but star quarterback Trevor Lawrence injured his left knee late in the game and was limited at practice on Tuesday. If Lawrence doesn’t play, C.J. Beathard would get the nod.
The Saints have had an up-and-down season but are still in the thick of the NFC South race. New Orleans started the season with two wins, but then the offense went into a shell in back-to-back losses. The Saints rebounded with an impressive 34-0 win at New England, but fell 20-13 at Houston last week. The red zone has been a big issue for this team, ranking 28th in that category and went 0-for-3 on their last three possessions last week.
Jacksonville has been opportunistic on defense this year, leading the NFL with 15 takeaways and is second in turnover margin (plus-seven) and third in run defense (75.3 yards allowed per game). The Jags were outgained 354-233 yards last week against the Colts, but forced Gardner Minshew to throw three interceptions. Lawrence finished 20-of-30 for 181 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring) will likely miss the game after missing practice Tuesday. Guard Brandon Scherff (ankle), wide receiver Zay Jones (knee) and offensive tackle Walker Little (knee) also missed practice.
Jacksonville Jaguars Injury Report [Week 7]
| Player | Pos. | Status/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Tyson Campbell | CB | Ques Thurs - Hamstring - 10/17/23 |
| Brandon Scherff | OL | Ques Thurs - Ankle - 10/17/23 |
| Trevor Lawrence | QB | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/17/23 |
| Walker Little | OL | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/17/23 |
| Zay Jones | WR | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/17/23 |
| Christian Braswell | CB | Out indefinitely - Hamstring - 10/14/23 |
| Parker Washington | WR | Out indefinitely - Knee - 10/7/23 |
| Leonard Taylor | TE | I-R - Undisclosed - 9/25/23 |
| Gregory Junior | CB | Out indefinitely - Hamstring - 9/16/23 |
| Cooper Hodges | OT | Out indefinitely - Knee - 8/31/23 |
| Ventrell Miller | LB | I-R - Achilles - 8/29/23 |
| Davon Hamilton | DT | Ques Thurs - Back - 10/17/23 |
The Saints outgained the Texans 430-297 last week, but managed just two first half field goals. Derek Carr had his best yardage game as a Saint with 353 but had a bad interception and he can’t seem to find the end zone. Left tackle James Hurts and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk both left the game with injuries. New Orleans did continue the NFL’s current longest streak of 18 consecutive games without giving up a TD on the opening drive. Star linebacker Demario Davis (knee) missed practice Tuesday and is questionable for Thursday.
New Orleans Saints Injury Report [Week 7]
| Player | Pos. | Status/Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Derek Carr | QB | Prob Thurs - Shoulder - 10/17/23 |
| Chris Olave | WR | Ques Thurs - Toe - 10/17/23 |
| Demario Davis | LB | Ques Thurs - Knee - 10/17/23 |
| James Hurst | OL | Ques Thurs - Ankle - 10/17/23 |
| Ryan Ramczyk | OT | Ques Thurs - Concussion - 10/17/23 |
| Cameron Jordan | DE | Ques Thurs - Back - 10/17/23 |
| Tyrann Mathieu | S | Ques Thurs - Foot - 10/17/23 |
| Andrus Peat | G | Ques Thurs - Groin - 10/17/23 |
| J.T. Gray | DB | Ques Thurs - Hamstring - 10/17/23 |
| Landon Young | OT | Ques Thurs - Hip - 10/17/23 |
| Juwan Johnson | TE | Ques Thurs - Calf - 10/17/23 |
| Lonnie Johnson Jr. | CB | Ques Thurs - Hamstring - 10/17/23 |
| Jake Haener | QB | Elig Thurs - Suspension - 10/17/23 |
| Adam Prentice | FB | Out indefinitely - Knee - 10/14/23 |
| Jamaal Williams | RB | Ques Thurs - Hamstring - 10/17/23 |
| Payton Turner | DE | Out indefinitely - Toe - 9/13/23 |
| Eno Benjamin | RB | I-R - Achilles - 8/6/23 |
| Andrew Dowell | LB | I-R - Knee - 8/3/23 |
| Trai Turner | G | I-R - Quadricep - 8/3/23 |
There is some uncertainty with this game because of the Lawrence injury, but the line suggests he’ll probably play. I like the Saints defense in this one and the offense at least moves the ball. The red zone issues won’t last long. I’ll take New Orleans in a close one.
Pick: Saints -1
