Jaguars vs. Saints: Travis Etienne scores 2 TDs, other bold predictions for Week 7

The AFC South was up for grabs just a few weeks ago. All four teams had a 2-2 record but the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts have taken a serious step back the past two games. On the other hand, the Jacksonville Jaguars have separated themselves from the bunch and have a strong grip on the top spot in the division heading into Week 7.

While the Houston Texans remain in the division race, the Jags will have a chance to widen their lead when they face off against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. Here are five predictions for the primetime game.

5. Travis Etienne will score 2 TDs vs. the Saints on Thursday Night Football

Although running back Travis Etienne is averaging one yard less than last season, he's still an integral part of the Jaguars' offense. He only mustered 55 rushing yards against the Indianapolis Colts but he reached the end zone twice, giving him a total of four touchdowns the past two games.

With Trevor Lawrence's status for the game in question, the Jaguars' game plan will most likely call for Etienne to get a big workload. Even if he doesn't get lots of yardage early on, he should be getting the ball given his ability to break off big runs. Heading into Week 7, his three rushing touchdowns of 20+ yards lead the league.

Etienne should get plenty of opportunities against the Saints and become the first player in franchise history to score two rushing touchdowns in three games in a row.

4. Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley will have his 100+ yard game of the season, score 1 TD

Tight end Evan Engram and wide receiver Christian Kirk became key cogs on the Jaguars offense last year and remain heavily involved in 2023. The former leads the team (36) with catches and Kirk is second with 33. Both of them should get their number called against the Saints but Calvin Ridley could turn out to be the biggest X-Factor.

Ridley has had a few relatively quiet games but that's not due to a lack of effort. Instead, teams are devoting lots of resources to minimize his impact. But in spite of all the attention he's gotten this season, the Alabama product has still managed to haul in 26 receptions for 363 yards with two touchdowns. His 14.0-yard-per-catch average leads the Jags heading into Week 7. Regardless of who starts behind center, expect Ridley to have his third 100-yard game of the season and take a trip to the Saints' end zone.

3. Jaguars OLB Josh Allen will continue his career year, sack Derek Carr twice

The Jaguars will have to wait at least one more week for defensive end DaVon Hamilton to return to the lineup. However, they'll have a favorable matchup against the Saints. Starting guard James Hurst and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk have been ruled out for the game. This means Allen, along with sophomore Travon Walker, will have lots of opportunities to take Derek Carr down.

Allen leads the league in pressures and Walker has shown growth the last two games. The former will get two sacks and the latter will get another one.

2. The Jaguars defense will register 2 turnovers vs. the Saints

The Jaguars' defense has put an emphasis on creating turnovers this season. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun recently said finishing the 2022 season strong has motivated the group to generate as many takeaways as possible. Right now, Jacksonville leads the NFL with 15. Andre Cisco, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Darious Williams each have three, tied for the league's lead.

The defense should take advantage of the Saints' injury woes and an inconsistent Derek Carr and come out of the game with a couple more turnovers. On top of that, they'll limit the New Orleans rushing game to fewer than 50 yards, whether Jamaal Williams, who is listed as questionable, suits up or not.

1. The Jaguars offense will score 30 points with or without Trevor Lawrence

One of the biggest plotlines surrounding Thursday Night Football is whether Trevor Lawrence will suit up or not. If he doesn't, it will be the first time in his NFL career he'll miss a game. At this point, it looks like a toss-up, with Jacksonville signing preseason star Nathan Rourke to the active roster as insurance.

But even if Lawrence isn't behind center Thursday, the Jags have more than enough weapons on offense to move the ball and visit the Saints' end zone several times. Although wide receiver Zay Jones has already been ruled out for the game, whoever starts at quarterback will have a pair of capable targets in Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley.

Add the presence of tight end Evan Engram and the running game, and the offense will have lots of opportunities to finish the game with more than 30 points for the third time this season.

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