Saints 2023 Week 7 Preview
Saints Return Home for Primetime Date with Jaguars
Your New Orleans Saints fell to the Texans last week 20-13. They currently sit at .500 with a 3-3 overall record. Dennis Allen’s group will return home this week with a primetime matchup in the Crescent City on tap. The road to victory will not get any easier as the Saints face another AFC South opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags have won their last three games, most recently a 37-20 thrashing of the Colts.
The Matchup:
Something has got to give, right? The Saints have playmakers across the offensive side of the ball, yet they’ve only managed to put up 20+ points twice in six games. In contrast, the New Orleans defense has only given up more than 20 points in one contest. What (or who) is to blame for the scoring struggles? Derek Carr and his receiving unit have to find a way to connect against a bottom-of-the-barrel Jags’ secondary. As the Saints face a potentially limited Trevor Lawrence, this game could make or break New Orleans’ season outlook. For Jacksonville, they’ll hope to keep it rolling with a fourth straight victory and maintain their division lead. The game will broadcast live at the Caesars Superdome through Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 7:15 p.m. CST.
Series History:
Jacksonville and New Orleans have only ever played each other seven times. The post-Katrina Saints have bested the Jags in the last four meetings and hold a 5-2 all-time series lead over the AFC squad. The latest rendition of this meeting occurred in 2019 when New Orleans posted a 13-6 victory as the visitors.
Team Rankings Comparison:
| Rank (Week 6) | Saints | Jaguars |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 3-3 (3rd NFC South) | 4-2 (1st AFC South) |
| Scoring Avg. | 18.2 (24) | 23.7 (10) |
| Opp. Scoring Avg. | 16.0 (6) | 20.3 (15) |
| Total Off. | 312.5 (20) | 337.3 (13) |
| Rushing Off. | 95.8 (23) | 113.5 (15) |
| Passing Off. | 216.7 (15) | 223.8 (12) |
| Total Def. | 278.3 (5) | 345.7 (21) |
| Rushing Def. | 96.3 (9) | 75.3 (3) |
| Passing Def. | 182.0 (5) | 270.3 (31) |
| Turnover Margin | +2 (13) | +7 (2) |
| Penalties | 43 (4) | 28 (31) |
| Penalty Yards | 406 (1) | 210 (31) |
Current Injury Report:
Saints-
Juwan Johnson, TE, Questionable, Calf
Andrus Peat, G, Questionable, Concussion
Lonnie Johnson, CB, Questionable, Hamstring
Landon Young, T, Questionable, Hip
Cameron Jordan, DE, Questionable, Back
Jamaal Williams, RB, Questionable, Hamstring
Chris Olave, WR, Questionable, Toe
James Hurst, G, Questionable, Ankle
Ryan Ramczyk, T, Questionable, Concussion
Demario Davis, OLB, Questionable, Knee
Tyrann Mathieu, FS, Questionable, Foot
Jaguars-
Tyson Campbell, CB, Questionable, Hamstring
Zay Jones, WR, Questionable, Knee
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Questionable, Knee
Walker Little, T, Questionable, Knee
Brandon Scherff, G, Questionable, Ankle
Final Thoughts/Prediction:
New Orleans doesn’t have the right offensive mojo right now. Plain and simple. Their performance versus the Patriots had me fooled, and I am not afraid to admit it. There is a lack of camaraderie and chemistry within the locker room displayed on the gridiron week after week. This one has the potential to be a massive game in the course of the 2023 campaign for the Saints, but I just don’t see them coming out on top. I like the Jags in primetime, 18-16.
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