Thursday Night Football Final Analysis: Jaguars vs. Saints

Jacksonville – Each week during the 2023 season, the Jaguars’ “experts” — Tony Boselli, Frank Frangie, Jeff Lagman, Brent Martino, John Ohser, Brian Sexton, J.P. Shadrick and Kainani Stevens — will analyze the Jaguars’ game the next day.

New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Tony Boselli, Jaguars analyst and former Jaguars left tackle

• The Jaguars will win if:They protect the troubled Lawrence (assuming he plays) and match the athleticism of the Saints’ good front seven. Defensively, the Jaguars must continue to tackle well and limit kickoffs. If they pressure Carr, he will make mistakes.
• The Saints will triumph if:Running back Alvin Kamara is having a big night with a ton of touches. This will take the pressure off Carr and allow the Saints to stay ahead of the series. Defensively, the front seven dominating the line of scrimmage will make the Jags one-dimensional, which is bad news for the battered Lawrence.
• As Boselli sees it: Short weeks are always a big challenge, even more so for a road team, and the Jaguars are a little upset coming into the game. Obviously, Lawrence’s presence on the field is crucial. This Jags team is tough and I think they rise to the challenge, winning a low scoring game 20-14.

Frank Franji, Voice of Jaguar Radio

• The Jaguars will win if: They manage football. As of this writing, there has been no word on whether the Jags will acquire Lawrence. If he doesn’t play, or even if he plays but his mobility is limited, the team will have to rely a little more on his running style. Which means a big match is necessary from Etienne. Even with Lawrence healthy, this team is at its best when it has balance. Defensively, Brown or whoever replaces Campbell — who is not expected to play — will have to play well because he will be targeted. This is a big key to the game.
• The Saints will triumph if: They stuff the run and make the Jags one-dimensional — and if they can make some big plays over the top. I don’t think they will pack a lot of long flights.
• As Franji sees it: This is a tough one for Jaguar. It’s a short week, against a desperate team with a good defense. The Jags will have to play a tough, efficient game to win.

Jeff Laughman, Jaguars analyst and former Jaguars defensive end

• The Jaguars will win if: Their defense continues to make big plays. The Jaguars’ defense leads the NFL in takeaways with 15 and continues to provide sparks for an offense that continues to gain momentum.
• The Saints will win then: They have a fast start, drawing fans and putting the Jaguars in catch-up mode. The Saints’ defense is impressive. With the lead, it’s going to be tough to deal with.
• As Lagman sees it: Being a road team on a short week is very tough and will be a great test for a Jaguars team that is on a three-game winning streak. The health of Lawrence’s knee and the performance of his offensive line will be a big factor in determining success. The league and the entire nation are watching the game on Thursday night, which represents a great opportunity.

Brent Martino, Sports Director, Action Sports Jacks

• The Jaguars will win if: Running back Travis Etienne Jr. has over 120 yards from scrimmage. The Jaguars will need to run effectively against a good Saints defense. If they do that, they can control the clock and set up big plays in the passing game. The Saints’ defense allows just 16 points per game, so anything north of 20 would be fine.
• The Saints will triumph if: They don’t turn the ball over. In the past two years, the Jaguars have not committed a turnover five times and lost all five games. New Orleans has eight turnovers this season, which is middle of the pack in the NFL. If the Saints don’t allow the Jaguars to make a big defensive play, they will likely win at home.
• As Martino sees it: The Jaguars are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and the Saints are one of the quirky teams in the NFL. I think it might be a weird game on Thursday and it might be a typical Thursday night. I’m not getting off the Jaguars wagon now, so let’s win 23-19.