Postgame recap: Trevor Lawrence throws game-winner to Christian Kirk, Jaguars beat Saints

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Postgame recap: Trevor Lawrence throws game-winner to Christian Kirk, Jaguars beat Saints

Clayton Freeman, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union · The Florida Times-Union

Fri, Oct 20, 2023 ·

19 min read

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The Jacksonville Jaguars travel west for a round of Thursday Night Football at the New Orleans Saints in a place they've never won: The Jags are 0-3 all-time in the Superdome, with losses in 1996, 2007 and 2015.

For the Jaguars (4-2), the big story is the health of Trevor Lawrence. The third-year quarterback suffered an apparent knee injury on his final play from scrimmage in Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts . Lawrence's status might make Travis Etienne 's rushing more important than ever. The Jaguars' backup quarterback is C.J. Beathard , and Nathan Rourke has been activated as well.

The Saints dropped to 3-3 after losing to the Houston Texans Sunday, a game with big numbers (353 yards passing) for quarterback Derek Carr but otherwise disappointing production on the scoreboard.

A Jaguars win would be their first against the Saints since the River City Relay on Dec. 21, 2003, when New Orleans receiver Jerome Pathon scored on a series of laterals as time expired -- only for kicker John Carney to miss the PAT as Jacksonville won 20-19.

Keep scrolling for updates, and remember to refresh this page for the latest.

'Gritty, not pretty': Jaguars made plays they normally don't in win over Saints

The old Jacksonville Jaguars have left the building.

That much was evident in the team's 31-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints, a game that wasn't and didn't feel close for most of the contest. However, they buckled their chinstraps and won their fourth game in 19 days anyway. - Demetrius Harvey

Jaguars Up-Down drill: Defense still riding takeaway train, Logan Cooke 's passing skills

Taking a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the Jaguars' 31-24 win over the New Orleans Saints Thursday at Caesars Superdome. - Gene Frenette

Gene Frenette: Trevor shows toughness, rewarded with glory of finally winning in New Orleans

The only two previous times Trevor Lawrence exited the Caesars Superdome, it wasn't a good feeling as his Clemson Tigers were eliminated from the College Football Playoff in decisive fashion by LSU and Ohio State.

It was one of myriad reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, despite the discomfort of playing on a sprained left knee, felt compelled to settle a score Thursday night on the Bayou. - Gene Frenette

Jaguars report card: Once again, defense carries most of load, offense delivers in clutch moment

Times-Union sports columnist Gene Frenette grades the Jaguars' performance in a 31-24 victory against the New Orleans Saints based on execution, effort and game circumstances. - Gene Frenette

Jaguars squeeze past Saints 31-24 after Jekyll and Hyde showing by Jacksonville's offense. See the key takeaways

With just four days of prep time, the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) looked like a team well-rested for much of the contest, until they didn't. Still, it was just enough to defeat the New Orleans Saints (3-4) 31-24 even if it took a last-minute pass breakup to get it done. - Demetrius Harvey

FINAL: Jaguars 31, Saints 24

The Jags move to 5-2 after a wild one in New Orleans. It's their first-ever win in the Superdome. - Clayton Freeman

Stopped! Foster Moreau drops third-down pass, Buster Brown breaks up fourth-down pass, Jaguars survive

The Saints could've scored... but they didn't, and the Jaguars are about to hold on. Foster Moreau, open in the back of the end zone, dropped the ball on third down and Buster Brown delivered near-flawless coverage to deny Chris Olave on fourth down. The Jags take over on downs with 21 seconds left. - Clayton Freeman

Saints drive inside Jaguars 10, less than a minute to go

Big play coming here. Timeout coming with the Saints at the Jacksonville 6. The Jaguars lead 31-24 with 30 seconds left. - Clayton Freeman

Two-minute warning: Saints continue drive into Jaguars territory

This game is not over. Derek Carr, back in the game, completed three quick passes to advance New Orleans across midfield. A short pass to Alvin Kamara got a conversion and the Saints have first and 10 at the Jacksonville 41.

Jaguars 31, Saints 24, 2:00 4th. - Clayton Freeman

Touchdown Jaguars: Christian Kirk takes Trevor Lawrence pass for 46-yard go-ahead score

After a grand total of 14 passing yards in the second half, Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk connect on the long-awaited big play. Set up in prime field position by Jamal Agnew 's punt return, Lawrence found Kirk on a short crossing route over the middle and the elusive wideout did the rest, outracing the Saints to the end zone. If the defense can stop New Orleans this time, the Jags could be moving to 5-2.

Jaguars 31, Saints 24, 3:08 4th. - Clayton Freeman

Injury watch: Saints QB Derek Carr slow to get up after incompletion on third down

The Saints went three-and-out, but the other news is the apparent injury to Derek Carr. Foye Oluokun burst into the backfield on third down and Carr escaped the sack, but then went down after throwing incomplete without contact. The Saints punted the ball away and Jamal Agnew's return started the Jaguars just across midfield. Tie score, 3:45 left. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars' drive stalls at midfield after long Trevor Lawrence run; Saints to get ball with chance to win

Remember: The Jaguars led 24-9 in this one. Now, the Saints have all the momentum. Trevor Lawrence took off for a scramble across midfield, but the Saints stuffed an end-around to Calvin Ridley and Lawrence couldn't complete passes on second and third down. Derek Carr and New Orleans take over from their own 10, with the score tied 24-24 and 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. - Clayton Freeman

Touchdown Saints: New Orleans punishes fourth-down gamble, scores on Derek Carr TD to Michael Thomas

Wow. The Saints' offense came to life in three plays after that momentum-swinging fourth-down stop. Derek Carr needed only three passes: One to Michael Thomas across midfield, another to Taysom Hill in the red zone and then a 17-yarder to Thomas behind Buster Brown in the end zone. New Orleans went for two and converted to a wide-open Alvin Kamara. The Jaguars' lead has evaporated.

Saints 24, Jaguars 24, 6:38 4th. - Clayton Freeman

Travis Etienne stuffed on third and fourth-and-short: Saints take over on downs

That's a gamble that didn't pay off for Doug Pederson. The Jaguars crossed midfield and Travis Etienne got stopped on a right-side run on third-and-1. Then, the Jaguars went for the fourth down -- passing up a punt that might have pinned New Orleans inside its own 10 -- and Etienne was stuffed once more. The Saints, down 8, take over at their own 46 with 7:29 to go. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars force three-and-out as Derek Carr's frustration continues

Not a great game for Saints QB Derek Carr, and it's getting worse. He couldn't connect with Chris Olave on third down and expressed visible anger -- not for the first time -- on his way to the sideline. The Jaguars take over with just over 10 minutes to go, leading 24-16. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars' offensive struggles continue, Saints force quick punt

New Orleans has dominated time of possession by an almost 2-to-1 ratio. The Jaguars weren't able to get a push up front for Travis Etienne on second down, then Trevor Lawrence was downed on a scramble on third down. So the Saints get the ball back with a chance to tie the score, after Logan Cooke's excellent punt pinned them inside their 10. - Clayton Freeman

Touchdown Saints: Taysom Hill runs to end zone on fourth-and-goal

For the first time tonight, the Saints are in the end zone. Devin Lloyd stopped Alvin Kamara on third down, but the Jaguars couldn't deny New Orleans on fourth down. Taysom Hill took the direct snap and ran into the end zone from 2 yards. After Blake Grupe 's PAT off the goalpost and in, the 16-play, 75-yard drive makes it a one-score game.

Jaguars 24, Saints 16, 14:21 4th. - Clayton Freeman

End of third quarter: Jaguars 24, Saints 9

It's been a loooooooong drive for New Orleans. They've held the ball for more than seven minutes, advancing inside the Jacksonville 5 after a run by Taysom Hill. But Foye Oluokun and Andrew Wingard tackles leave the Saints with third and goal from the 1 when the fourth quarter begins. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars' Logan Cooke continues perfect streak on fake punts

Jacksonville Jaguars punter Logan Cooke has a perfect record, in two regards, in throwing off fake punts. Of course, if the Jags did it more often, teams would be ready for it.

When Cooke completed a 13-yard pass to Tim Jones on a fourth-and-two situation late in the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome, it was his fourth pass completion in four career attempts on fake punts as an NFL player. - Garry Smits

Touchdown Jaguars: Foye Oluokun grabs pick-six off Derek Carr after Darious Williams deflection, Jaguars pull away

The latest big moment on defense for the Jags. Derek Carr throws one over the middle and that doesn't pay off: Darious Williams knocks it skyward, Foye Oluokun picks it off and takes it back 25 yards down the sideline to the house. Oluokun's had a lot of highlights in his NFL career, but that is his first defensive touchdown with the Jaguars.

Jaguars 24, Saints 9, 6:47 3rd. - Clayton Freeman

Field goal Saints: Jaguars' D again stuffs New Orleans, Blake Grupe boots another kick

The Saints advanced the ball across midfield on a Chris Olave catch, but two Derek Carr events went pretty far off the mark and the frustration is building, both in the seats and on the sideline. New Orleans settled for another field goal.

Jaguars 17, Saints 9, 9:49 3rd. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars kick off second half: Saints receive the football

The Jaguars open on defense, leading 17-6 entering the third quarter. - Clayton Freeman

HALFTIME: Jaguars 17, Saints 6

Welcome back to Dawuane Smoot. In his second game back, the Jaguars' pass rusher strip-sacked Derek Carr. The Saints got it back but that's the end of the half. - Clayton Freeman

Field goal Jaguars: After referee overturns Marshon Lattimore interception, Brandon McManus kicks to extend Jags lead

After further review, that football hit the ground. So no interception by Marshon Lattimore. Instead, Brandon McManus came on to boot a 43-yard field goal for the Jaguars.

Jaguars 17, Saints 6, 0:32 2nd. - Clayton Freeman

Interception: Marshon Lattimore picks off Trevor Lawrence... but it's under review

That's (maybe) turnover number three for the Jaguars. The Jags were inside the 30 when Trevor Lawrence looked for Jamal Agnew on the out route, but Saints corner Marshon Lattimore got inside Agnew and picked the ball off while diving to the ground. It's ruled an interception on the field, but officials are reviewing. Will the Jaguars get a bailout? - Clayton Freeman

Fake punt alert! Jaguars call fake punt at midfield, Logan Cooke connects with Tim Jones for first down

Gamble time pays off for Doug Pederson. With fourth and 2 near midfield, Pederson called for some trickery and it paid off: Punter Logan Cooke took the snap and fired a quick pass to Tim Jones to keep the drive moving.

The Jaguars are in field goal range with a little over a minute left in the second quarter. - Clayton Freeman

Field goal Saints: Jaguars limit New Orleans to Blake Grupe field goal

The Saints add a few more points and make it a one-score game. Blake Grupe boots a field goal right down the middle from 25 yards.

Jaguars 14, Saints 6, 1:57 2nd. - Clayton Freeman

Two-minute warning: Jaguars 14, Saints 3

New Orleans has entered the red zone, but Derek Carr came up short of the chains on third and 8. It'll be decision time for Saints coach Dennis Allen during the two-minute warning. Is the Jacksonville defense about to make another key stop? - Clayton Freeman

Interference with the opportunity: Antonio Johnson penalty gives Saints top field position

Oops: After three drives ending in punts, the Jaguars' Antonio Johnson ran into the New Orleans punt returner on a Logan Cooke punt, and that's a 15-yard penalty. The Saints take over at the Jacksonville 46 with 5:41 to go in the second quarter. The Jags still lead 14-3. - Clayton Freeman

Touchdown maker: Jaguars RB Travis Etienne gets into the end zone twice in the first half vs. Saints

It took Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne until the seventh game of the season last year to score his first NFL touchdown. He's rolling 7s now, and making Jags history in the process. - Garry Smits

Saints turn over at downs at midfield; Darious Williams, Devin Lloyd break up passes

The good work continues for the Jaguars' defense. Faced with third and 3 near midfield, Derek Carr passed down the left sideline, where Creekside High School graduate Darious Williams swatted it away. Then, the Saints went for fourth down, but Devin Lloyd broke up and nearly picked off Carr's pass. The Jaguars lead 14-3 with 10:43 left in the second quarter, and they're taking over in excellent field position. - Clayton Freeman

SEE IT: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence dashes for big gain despite knee injury

How fast can a quarterback run with a knee injury? Pretty fast:

That Trevor Lawrence dash helped set up Travis Etienne's second TD of the game. That's three consecutive two-TD games for Etienne, a Jaguars franchise milestone per NFL Network stats. - Clayton Freeman

Touchdown Jaguars: After long Trevor Lawrence scramble (!), Travis Etienne zooms to end zone for second TD

The Saints probably didn't think Trevor Lawrence could move like that tonight. When the pocket collapsed, the supposedly-hobbled QB took off and scrambled for a gain of more than 20 yards. That set up the second Travis Etienne score of the night, rounding the left end and scoring from 17 yards out.

Jaguars 14, Saints 3, 13:09 2nd. - Clayton Freeman

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Jaguars 7, Saints 3

Despite two first-quarter turnovers, the Jaguars lead after 15 minutes in the Superdome. Key stat: Trevor Lawrence is 7 of 8 for 87 yards. What knee injury? - Clayton Freeman

Field goal Saints: After Buster Brown pass breakup, New Orleans settles for Blake Grupe kick

Once again, the Jaguars' defense comes through. The Saints started in the red zone but couldn't penetrate beyond the Jacksonville 5. Derek Carr forced his receiver out of bounds on second down and Buster Brown batted the pass on third down. The Saints still picked up three points on Blake Grupe's field goal, but the Jags' defense kept them out of the end zone.

Jaguars 7, Saints 3, 1:26 1st. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars turn over, again: Jamal Agnew muffs punt, gets injured after getting hit by teammate Tevaughn Campbell

The Jaguars' defense quickly forced the Saints to punt, but disaster struck on the punt. Jamal Agnew was trying to field the New Orleans punt when Jaguars corner Tevaughn Campbell, just up onto the active roster, collided helmet-to-helmet with him while trying to block a Saints player. Agnew muffed the punt and the Saints recovered around the Jacksonville 20. Also bad: Agnew appeared to be injured on the play. New Orleans ball, 3:36 1st, Jaguars lead 7-0. - Clayton Freeman

Fumble: Jaguars' drive ends as Christian Kirk loses handle following reception, stripped by Paulson Adebo

That possession lasted only one play: Trevor Lawrence passed to Christian Kirk, who fell on his own and then tried to get up but got stripped of the football in the process by Saints DB Paulson Adebo. Carl Granderson recovered for the Saints at the New Orleans 41 with 5:02 left in the first. - Clayton Freeman

Saints drive upfield, but Blake Grupe misses field goal

Derek Carr looked pretty sharp on his first drive tonight in command of the Saints, advancing the home team confidently against a Tyson Campbell-less Jaguars defense. But the Jags made the stop just outside the red zone and New Orleans kicker Blake Grupe booted a field goal wide right. Still a 7-0 Jaguars lead with 5:16 left in the first quarter, and some nice field position for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville offense. - Clayton Freeman

Touchdown Jaguars: On Trevor Lawrence's first drive, Jags march upfield, score on Travis Etienne rush

No sign of trouble for Trevor Lawrence on that possession. The Jaguars' QB, listed as questionable this week, moved the offense smoothly and even scrambled for some yards on a solid all-around drive. The scoring play came from Travis Etienne, powering into the end zone from a yard out. The Jags made it look easy in the Big Easy that time.

Jaguars 7, Saints 0, 9:44 1st.

Kickoff time: The Jaguars will receive the opening kick

Trevor Lawrence will get his chance to move the offense right away with the Jags receiving the opening kickoff. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars national predictions: How does Trevor Lawrence injury affect Jags' odds vs Saints?

Will the Jaguars keep the streak alive, or will Marshon Lattimore and the potent Saints defense prove too much for a hobbled Trevor Lawrence? Here's a look at what NFL reporters and analysts think will happen . - Dan Rorabaugh

Week 7 staff predictions: Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football

Let's see what our experts think as the Jaguars hit the road to take on the Saints in Thursday Night Football inside the Superdome. - The Times-Union

Trevor Lawrence is set to start, but... here's what Jaguars fans should know about backup QB C.J. Beathard

As already noted, Trevor Lawrence is set to start tonight in spite of his knee injury. But if C.J. Beathard is called upon, the veteran backup quarterback will be ready. - Garry Smits

Big Easy party: Jags fans showed up in force on Bourbon Street before Jaguars-Saints game

Jacksonville Jaguars fans have evidently turned out in force to the Big Easy for Thursday's night game against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. That's based on numerous amounts of video that have been taken of Jags fans hitting the French Quarter and Bourbon Street on Wednesday night, led by the Bold City Brigade — the Jaguars fan club and originators of the slogan DTWD: "Duval 'Til We Die." - Garry Smits

What channel is the Jaguars game on? Time, TV schedule for Jags vs Saints

Here's everything you need to know about the Thursday Night Football game, including time, TV and streaming info and more. - Dan Rorabaugh

It's official: Jaguars officially announce Trevor Lawrence as Thursday Night Football starter

Injury or no injury, Trevor Lawrence is planning to take the opening snap tonight.

Follow for more updates. - Clayton Freeman

Jacksonville at New Orleans: On a short work week, it won't be a Big Easy game for the Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence's injury issues are only part of the storyline for the Jaguars as they travel to New Orleans for a short week. - Garry Smits

JUST IN: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is active, expected to start vs. Saints

The news is in: Looks like Trevor Lawrence is going to give it a shot for the Jaguars tonight at the Superdome. Here's where things stand after the release of the inactives list. - Demetrius Harvey

SEE IT: Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence goes through warmups with brace before Saints game

Here's the video from the Superdome. Active/inactive designation is coming soon. - Clayton Freeman

Trevor Lawrence warms up: Can Jaguars QB play against New Orleans?

Trevor Lawrence is warming up inside the Superdome. Here's a look:

Kickoff in New Orleans is fewer than two hours away. - Clayton Freeman

Jaguars Fantasy Watch: Travis Etienne's stats show he's likely to have more than 100 all-purpose yards vs. Saints

Travis Etienne has been on a touchdown tear the past two games, garnering four TDs in wins over the Colts and Bills. Prior to that, he had just one. What does it mean for Thursday night against the Saints? - Tim Walters

Is Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence playing tonight against the Saints? Here's the latest.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence officially enters tonight's Thursday Night Football matchup against the New Orleans Saints as questionable due to a knee injury suffered late against the Indianapolis Colts last week. - Demetrius Harvey

What time is the Jags game today?

When:8:15 p.m. Thursday, October 19
Where:Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

What channel is Jaguars vs. Saints on?

TV: WFOX (Channel 30)
Streaming: Amazon Prime (30-day free trial)

The Jaguars vs. Saints game will air locally on FOX-30 and nationally on Prime Video . Al Michaels will handle the play-by-play with Kirk Herbstreit as the analyst and Kaylee Hartung as the sideline reporter.

Where can I find the Jags game on radio?

Radio: WJXL-AM 1010 / FM 92.5 (English), WFXJ-AM 930 / FM 97.3 (Spanish), SiriusXM Channel 226
Online radio: SiriusXM Channel 814 , TuneIn

Frank Frangie will be on the play-by-play with Tony Boselli and Jeff Lageman as analysts on the Jaguars radio feed.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs Saints score, updates for NFL Week 7 game 2023

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