There's only one week left in the 2021 NFL President. In the final game of Preseason Week 2, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars by a final score of 23–21.
The Saints came in this game hoping to end their quarterback competition, and based on the results, they received an emphatic answer as to which week between Jameis Winston and Tessom Hill should be center. The Jaguars likely wanted to see their offense perform slightly better than Trevor Lawrence's under center, but offensive line play reduced their chances of getting a good drive with the No. 1 pick under control.
Neither team had much success in the running game (they averaged just 2.6 yards per carry at 42 hats) but the likes of Marquez Callaway, Marvin Jones Jr., Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Josh Hammond and even Tavon Austin The players made some good plays. In the air.
In the end, the Saints barred themselves early (14–0 in the first quarter), despite CJ Beathard and the third-team Jaguars staging a late rally on offense.
Why the Saints won
Jameis Winston-to-Marquez Callaway connections, mostly. The duo swung for a pair of long touchdowns on the first two drives of the night to New Orleans, and needed the All Saints to come out on top. Callaway finished with five catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns, despite only playing in the first quarter, while Winston cemented his position as a Saints Week 1 starter by going 9 of 10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns. . Tysom Hill struggled to get through anything until he threw a jump-ball touchdown pass to Lil Jordan Humphrey late in the third quarter. The New Orleans defense also troubled Trevor Lawrence and first-team Jacksonville's offense in the first half, with CJ Gardner-Johnson making several plays downfield.
Why the Jaguars lost
His first-team offense struggled badly for almost the entire first half. The offensive line repeatedly put pressure on Lawrence's face, and Lawrence had to buy time in return and then throw a late middle. He scored just three points on six first-half possessions with Lawrence at the top, thanks in large part to line play and overly conservative play-calling. Things didn't improve much when Gardner Minshoo took over in the second half. Minshu had a potential touchdown from the right in the third quarter, but threw Jalen Camp down at least five yards away and the pass was easily broken. CJ Beathard accounted for the team's only touchdown, with two scores thrown in, which equaled waste time.
Turning point
The first drive of the game, really.
Play(s) of the game
The Saints scored touchdowns on each of their first two drives, each score coming on a deep ball from Winston to Callaway. The first was thrown into double coverage, but Winston took the ball to the top of the defense and was able to catch it despite Callaway clearly interfering in the play.
How about that catch from @CallawayMarquez? 😱
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2021
📺: #JAXvsNO on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/vn5yMVzP48 pic.twitter.com/ovncMMUBWM
The second saw Callaway burn Jaguar's big-money free-agent signing, Shaq Griffin, down the left and make a one-handed snag in the front corner of the end zone.
They've done it again! @jaboowins to @CallawayMarquez for 6 ‼️
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2021
📺: #JAXvsNO on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/vn5yMVzP48 pic.twitter.com/jhd0VO6d6O
What will happen next?
Last week of Precision. The Saints will likely make some sort of official decision regarding their quarterback competition (judging by Sean Peyton's comments this week), with the hope that Jamies Winston will begin the team's Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers. The Saints' final preseason tuneup is next Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. The Jaguars' final preseason game is again on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
That's a dub SAINTS 🙌#JAXvsNO | @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/9fIQR5xYWR
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 24, 2021