The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the preseason with a dramatic 24–20 win over the New Orleans Saints. After a difficult first half placed the team in a 20-6 halftime deficit, Jacksonville’s reserves found their rhythm after halftime and fueled a comeback. Penalties, drops, injuries, and early special team struggles ruled the early portion of the day. However, the Jaguars’ depth players made several key plays late, helping secure the victory and giving the team valuable insight into its roster competitions.
Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s 2026 Week 1 preseason 24-20 road opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Both New Orleans Head Coach Kellen Moore and Jacksonville’s Liam Coen went the route of resting the majority of starters following Thursday’s joint practice. The majority of key veterans sat out this one, namely:
* WR Chris Olave
* WR Jordyn Tyson (reportedly with a hamstring injury suffered Thursday)
* WR Devaughn Vele
* Edge Cam Jordan
For Jacksonville, who was active, was probably the more notable list Saturday, with Ventrell Miller and Branson Combs both participating, as both players compete for a starting linebacker role.
Today’s game kicked off with an immediate explosive surrendered by the Jacksonville kickoff coverage team and defense, allowing an opening 86-yard kick return to Saints’ running back Ty Chandler. Jalen Husky completed the touchdown-saving tackle, though only delaying the later touchdown.
On the following play, the Saints completed the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run with no less than three missed tackles from the Jacksonville defense from Branson Combs, Jabbar Muhammad, and others.
The following drive featured multiple impressive runs by the Jaguars’ offense from DeeJay Dallas and J’Mari Taylor, and first down conversions from both CJ Williams and Josh Cameron. However, it was all for naught, with Nick Mullens throwing a red-zone interception at the four-yard line.
The Jacksonville defense bounced back with a quick three-and-out following a Bransom Combs/BJ Green quarterback pressure of Saints backup Spencer Rattler, resulting in a Ruke Orhorhoro sack to force the punt. Unfortunately, Jacksonville’s backup offense could do little on the ensuing drive, punting it back to New Orleans following their own three-and out, with Mullens sacked on third-and-five. Following another Saints three-and-outs and a Cam Little 54-yard field goal, the Jacksonville defense forced a quick turnover courtesy of Yasir Abdullah.
The backup Sam linebacker pressured Spencer Rattler, missed the sack, then circled back, turning the missed tackle into a forced red zone fumble, with Wesley Williams. The fumble was recovered by BJ Green who returned the possession to the seven-yard line. Jacksonville added another field goal to cut the Saints’ lead to 1.
The New Orleans backups put together a 15-play, 57-yard field goal drive to extend the drive, with both teams trading punts. Following a second first-half false start by Jimto Obidegwu, Carter Bradley forced an ill-advised throw to CJ Williams, resulting in a Saints interception returned to the 28-yard line. The Saints scored two plays later via a first-down, play-action busted coverage from the Jacksonville secondary, followed by a one-yard rub route on the goal line where Ray Lane was unable to beat Delp to the goal line. Following a punt by Jacksonville, New Orleans targeted backup cornerback Corey Ballentine for multiple explosive plays on a 9-play, 84-yard, 1:02 field goal drive to close out the half.
_Saints 20, Jaguars 6 at halftime_
A rough first half for the Jacksonville offense led by Nick Mullens and Carter Bradley resulted in seven possessions with a combined six first downs. However, following the break in action, the team showed signs of life, with an impressive opening drive 10-play, 79-yard, 6:07 touchdown drive. With multiple explosive receptions by Chanler Brayboy and two explosive rushes via J’Mari Taylor, the team moved into the Saints’ red zone. The drive was capped by a 1-yard Hunter Long touchdown catch (and two-point conversion by Taylor) to cut the Saints’ lead to six.
Following a missed 52-yard field goal by New Orleans, Bradley led Jacksonville down the field for what looked to be a go-ahead drive, with Carter hitting Trebor Pena with an end zone strike. However, the ball was dropped, resulting in a Jacksonville field goal and a three-point New Orleans lead. Jacksonville would eventually secure their first lead of the game with 4:55 remaining in the matchup, via a two-yard J’Mari Taylor rush, following a 43-yard Trebor Pena reception.
An exciting finish to the game ensued as the Saints offense drove to the Jaguars’ 2-yard line with 1 second remaining on the clock, as Jabbar Muhammad deflected the games’ final pass attempt to secure the Jacksonville victory.
* Yasir Abdullah pressuring the quarterback?
* Wesley Williams forcing the fumble?
* BJ Green recovering the fumble?
* A great team effort!
The Jaguars keep fighting, taking the lead with 4:55 remaining in the fourth quarter
* QB Nick Mullens: 3/7 for 33-yards (4.7 YPC), no TDs, 1 INT, sacked once (17.9 passer rating)
* RB J’Mari Taylor: 22 carries for 78-yards (3.5 YPC), TD, with a long of 13
* WR CJ Williams: 2 receptions for 28-yards, 14.0 YPR, on five targets
* DL Ruke Ohrhorhoro: 3 tackles, 0.5 sacks
* DE Danny Striggow: 3 tackles, 1 solo, 0.5 sacks
* LB Yasir Abdullah: 2 solo tackles, 1 sack
* DT Albert Regis: 1 QB sack
_View the full box score **[here](https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401873281)**_
* **Special Teams: Jalen Huskey**
* Two special teams tackles (three total), including a hustling TD-saving one to open the game
* **Defense: Yasir Abdullah**
* A QB pressure, two solo tackles, a sack with fumble forced on the play (Wesley Williams’ assist)
* **Offense: RB J’Mari Taylor**
* Taylor looked impressive early on with just seven tough carries in the first half for 20-yards. However, following the half, his box score production quickly ramped to match the on-field vision and drive, ending the day with 22 carries for 78-yards (3.5 YPC), and a touchdown.
As a note, the following Jacksonville players left Sunday’s game due to injury:
The Jaguars’ veteran depth offensive lineman left the field of play on the opening offensive play and did not return.
Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from Saturday’s game in our **[live blog](/jacksonville-jaguars-discussion/87467/jaguars-vs-saints-preseason-week-1-live-blog-and-open-thread)**!
What are your notables from Saturday’s game, Jaguars fans? Who surprised you most or disappointed you with their play? Let us know in the comments.