The New Orleans Saints lost their preseason opener to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, falling 24-20 after allowing 18 unanswered points in the second half. The Saints led 20-6 at halftime but could not hold the lead as Jacksonville staged a comeback, scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The game started strongly for the Saints, with veteran running back Ty Chandler returning the opening kickoff 86 yards, the longest preseason kickoff return for the team since 2010. This set up Audric Estimé’s 9-yard touchdown run just 21 seconds into the game. Estimé later left the game after an awkward hit on a reception.
New Orleans’ defense contributed early, with linebacker Jaylan Ford and safety Jayden Price each intercepting passes. Price’s interception led to a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Oscar Delp. The Saints also recorded three sacks in the first half, with edge rusher Michael Hoecht recording two sacks. Kicker Tanner Brown added field goals of 49 and 29 yards, the latter as time expired before halftime to give the Saints a 20-6 lead.
Jacksonville responded after halftime, with quarterback Carter Bradley throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Long. Kicker Brandon Little added a 36-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 20-17. The Jaguars then took the lead on a 78-yard run by J’Mari Taylor and a 2-yard touchdown run by Taylor, completing their rally. The comeback gave Jacksonville 18 unanswered points and the victory.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore praised his team’s effort despite the second-half collapse. “Love the way our guys competed, feel like we got some good stuff out there,” Moore said. “Plenty of growth for their future. I was proud of all three of those quarterbacks giving us a chance to win. I feel really good about our entire quarterback room.”
With most starters sitting out, backup quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson saw action. Wilson was more polished, completing 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. Rattler finished 8 of 11 for 42 yards and lost a fumble. Hunter Dekkers, a former USFL player, played the final 8 minutes, 27 seconds, nearly leading a game-winning drive before his final pass fell incomplete. Dekkers finished 8 of 15 for 69 yards.
For Jacksonville, quarterback Nick Mullens started in place of Trevor Lawrence, completing 3 of 7 passes for 33 yards with an interception. The Saints are set to travel to Los Angeles on Monday for joint practices against the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, with a preseason game against the Rams scheduled for Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
