If you felt frustrated watching the Jacksonville Jaguars lose 21-23 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 of the preseason, you aren’t alone. It’s not that they dropped their second consecutive game. Rather, it’s how they did it. The Jags struggled to run the ball and their offense came to life only towards the end of the game. Their defense wasn’t much better, making Jameis Winston look like a First-Team All-Pro quarterback in the first half of the matchup.
It’s true that preseason games don’t count in the standings but that’s not what this type of matchups are for. They are for teams to evaluate the roster, sort out the depth chart, and iron out details ahead of the regular season. Based on the Jaguars’ last two matchups, they have their work cut out.
First, Jacksonville will need to do a better job of protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Clemson product can’t showcase his talent opposing defenses can easily flush him out of the pocket. Second, the Jags must fix their running game. Against the Saints, they managed just 45 yards on 20 carries. Also, they have to figure out how to stop opposing teams from carving up their secondary.
If they want to avoid losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 of the preseason, they will have to go back to the drawing board and look for a way to fix everything that went wrong at The Big Easy. For the time being, here are five studs and five duds from the second preseason game.
5 Jacksonville Jaguars winners from 2nd preseason game.
1. Wide receiver Jeff Cotton.
The Jaguars have plenty of depth at wide receiver and Jeff Coton may be a long shot to make the 53-man roster. Nevertheless, he helped himself after hauling in four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. Last year, Tavon Austin shined in Week 2 of the preseason. It was Cotton’s turn against the Saints.
2. Tight end Luke Farrell.
Chris Manhertz will most likely be the Jaguars’ starting tight end in Week 1 of the regular season. However, rookie Luke Farrell could get significant time if he can show he can be a reliable target in the passing game. Week 2 was a good start, as he finished the game with two catches for 25 yards.
3. Running back Devine Ozigbo
It’s true that the Jaguars couldn’t get their running game going but Devine Ozigbo hauled in a floated pass that he turned into a 30-yard gain. Sure, carried the ball five times for seven yards, but that has a pretty good catch, and in games like this one, it helped him stand out.
4. Defensive Jihad Ward
It was hard to include a Jaguars’ defensive player, as the group couldn’t stop the Saints’ passing attack. Jihad Ward might’ve been the best of the bunch, as he logged one of the two sacks the team registered. Dawuane Smoot got the other one.
5. Quarterback C.J. Beathard
C.J. Beathard is far from the most talented on the Jaguars’ roster but he certainly had the best night against the Saints, going 9-of-14 for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He won’t start a quarterback controversy anytime soon but he scored twice while Garder Minshew and Trevor Lawrence combined for no touchdowns and one interception.
5 Jacksonville Jaguars losers from 2nd preseason game.
These five players played a role in the Jaguars’ second preseason loss.
1. Cornerback Tyson Campbell
For the second consecutive game, rookie Tyson Campbell allowed a touchdown. Quarterbacks haven’t been afraid to test the Georgia product and it’s hard to blame them, as he lacks NFL experience. It’s a good thing that he’s getting plenty of time ahead of the offseason. What’s not so great is that he’s getting burnt often.
2. Quarterback Gardner Minshew
The 2019 sixth-round pick said earlier this year that he wants to compete for a starting job. He will have a hard time finding someone who is willing to give him a chance though. He’s been unspectacular throughout the preseason. Against the Saints, Gardner Minshew failed to throw a touchdown and had one interception. That’s not the kind of performance that screams starting quarterback.
3. Running back Carlos Hyde
The Jaguars couldn’t run the ball on Monday night, so why was Carlos Hyde the only running back that made the cut? The Ohio State product toted the rock one time for -1 yards. Also, he struggled in pass protection.
4. Wide receiver Jalen Camp
Jalen Camp wasn’t having a great training camp, and he’s failed to make an impact in two straight games. He was targeted twice against the Saints but finished the game with no catches. It’s unlikely that he will be part of the next rounds of cuts but it’s difficult to picture him making the Jaguars’ 53-man roster.
5. Offensive tackle Walker Little
Left tackle Cam Robinson missed the game with a sprained ankle and rookie Walker Little filled in for him. The Stanford product showed he isn’t ready yet. There was one play in which he got pushed back by Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport.
Dishonorable mention: Travis Etienne had one carry for one yard, but that’s not the reason he’s on this list. He suffered a mid-foot sprain and is expected to be out indefinitely, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Jaguars lost to the Saints and will be without E-T-N. That wasn’t probably the outcome the team expected.