2023 Jaguars vs. Saints: Slay or Bomb

What was one of the more incredible games of the 2023 season, the Jaguars vs. Saints game delivered on Thursday Night Football. Great offensive performances, incredible defensive plays, and a comeback near the end of the game. The Jaguars vs. Saints game had all of it, along with trick plays, back-breaking mistakes, and of course the occasional blunder that infuriates fans.

At the end of the day, the Jaguars vs. Saints game featured a Jaguars offense that finally found their groove and a defense that overcame an injury to one of their starting cornerbacks. Jaguars fans have finally seen their team put together a great performance on both sides. It came in primetime and showed how great this Jaguars team can be.

There were a lot of positives from the Jaguars vs. Saints matchup, and while so many players contributed, there are a few that stand out as Slays in the Jaguars vs. Saints week seven matchup. Let’s get right into the Slay or Bomb for the Jaguars from their week seven Thursday Night Football showdown in the Superdome.

Jaguars vs. Saints: Slay

Christian Kirk

The biggest play of the night came from Christian Kirk late in the game. With a little over three minutes remaining in the Jaguars vs. Saints game, Christian Kirk ran an option route, breaking inside to beat the coverage, and then hauled in a catch for a 44-yard catch and run touchdown.

There are a lot of players who have gone unnoticed in the NFL this season, and Christian Kirk might be one of the most underrated. Calvin Ridley has taken the attention from Kirk, while Kirk has continued to be incredibly solid for Trevor Lawrence. The offense has been moving the ball, including on third downs, thanks in part to Kirk.

Christian Kirk is the “Slay of the Week” and deserves it after his clutch play late in the game. It gave the Jaguars the lead after the Saints drove down the field and tied it. He also rebounded from his earlier fumble, which shows how much trust Kirk has and also how Kirk can rebound after a mistake.

Foyesade Oluokun

If it weren’t for Christian Kirk’s incredible game-winning touchdown catch, Foyesade Oluokun would’ve been the Slay of the Week. Oluokun has similarly been overshadowed on the Jaguars’ defense thanks to incredible play from Darious Williams and Josh Allen. But, Foyesade Oluokun had the biggest play of his season.

Foyesade Oluokun finally had his first huge play, taking a pass from Derek Carr and returning it 24 yards for a pick-six. At the time of the pick-six, the Jaguars vs. Saints game was a one-possession game. The Saints had just gotten the ball back and had a chance to tie the game up in the third quarter.

Instead, Foyesade Oluokun was in the right place at the right time and picked off a tipped pass thanks to Darious Williams. Oluokun saved the game at that point and allowed the Jaguars to have a fairly big cushion. In a very close game, with the Trevor Lawrence banged up, getting a defensive score is exactly what the Jaguars needed.

Travis Etienne Jr.

Another week, another slay for Travis Etienne Jr. The Jaguars vs. Saints matchup featured a great defense, yet Etienne continued his incredible play lately. For the third time in a row, the Jaguars leading rusher and preseason breakout candidate has run for two touchdowns.

Two rushing touchdowns in week five against the Bills, two rushing touchdowns in week six against the Colts, and finally two rushing touchdowns in week seven against the Saints.

There aren’t many running backs that can be considered to have as good of a season as Etienne. Through seven weeks, Travis Etienne is second in rushing touchdowns, fourth in rushing yards, and fifth in yards from scrimmage. All of these stats showcase how well he’s played in the 2023 season, and week seven was another example of incredible play from Travis Etienne Jr.

Montaric Brown

One of the big stories heading into the Jaguars vs. Saints was the absence of Tyson Campbell. The Jaguars primetime game was a big test for the young cornerback, as Montaric “Buster” Brown was thrust into the spotlight against a tough receiving core. In primetime, Brown held his own in one of the key matchups in the Jaguars vs. Saints game.

On the last drive of the game, the Saints had four shots into the endzone. Back-to-back incompletions from the six-yard-line, plus a dropped pass to Foster Moreau, set up fourth down and the game on the line. On that last play, Carr targeted the young cornerback, and Buster Brown made an incredible play to break up the pass and win the game for the Jaguars.

Montaric Brown was targeted in coverage 10 times and only allowed four catches for 56 yards and one touchdown. In the Jaguars vs. Saints matchup against a tough receiving core, Brown held his own in his first starting performance of the season. It’s exactly the type of game the Jaguars were hoping from Brown.

It was always going to be difficult for Brown to completely stop the Saints receiving core in his first action. His first starting reps were good enough for the Jaguars, and he made the game-saving play in the endzone. It’s an impressive feat for the Jaguars’ cornerback and should give the fans and the team a vote of confidence going forward if Tyson Campbell continues to miss time.

Honorable Mentions

Josh Allen had another great game, generating 10 pressures, seven quarterback hurries, and three quarterback hits. It’s incredible how he continues to perform at a high level, and he’s been a complete revelation for this Jaguars defense that sorely needs pass rush help.

Logan Cooke, the punter, had a big impact on the game. Punters have constantly been thrown under the bus for poor punts, whether it was a shanked punt or a punt that allows the returner to have a big return (like Matt Dodge against the Eagles and Desean Jackson).

This time, Logan Cooke did something so many Punters dream of throwing a completion on a trick play. Cooke made a great throw to Tim Jones for a first down, which helped to lead the Jaguars into field goal range at the end of the first half. It was exactly the type of play the Jaguars needed and showed the creativity of the coaching staff.

Jaguars vs. Saints: Bomb

Calvin Ridley

It’s a great week for the Jaguars when their one “Bomb” from the Jaguars vs. Saints matchup is Calvin Ridley, who just wasn’t involved in the offense. Ridley has been a solid addition to this offense, even though many thought he was primed to have a career resurgence after his year-long suspension.

Ridley finished his return to the Superdome with one reception on four targets, for only five yards. It’s a disappointing line for someone who was expected to play a huge role in this offense. However, it’s important to acknowledge his impact on the field outside of his numbers.

He brings attention that allows the other receivers like Christian Kirk and Evan Engram to run more open than last year. Ridley has been integral to the Jaguars’ recent success, and there’s still plenty of time in the season for Ridley to put up great plays. While the Jaguars vs. Saints game was a tough outing for Ridley, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

It’s a good week when Ridley is the noticeable bomb of the week when he didn’t do anything to be deserving of a bomb. However, his performance can’t be looked at any differently than a disappointing outcome. Jaguars fans shouldn’t be concerned like fantasy managers are, as Ridley will be more involved in the offense going forward.

Jaguars vs. Saints Final Thoughts

It was the type of game that previous Jaguars teams would lose, and even Trevor Lawrence has struggled in the Superdome. But the Jaguars put together one of their most complete games of the 2023 season. The offense found their rhythm against a good defense, even with their star quarterback coming into the short week banged up.

Trevor Lawrence showed no signs of any injury, thanks to the offensive line keeping Lawrence clean for the most part. A lot of concern was laid on the Jaguars through three weeks, and now that week seven is done, the Jaguars are in a commanding lead of the AFC South. Things are back on track for the Jaguars, they righted the ship finally, and after playing four games in 19 days the Jaguars have set themselves up for a division title.