Jaguars vs. Saints: Short Week and a Loud Environment Are Jacksonville’s Next Test
The Jacksonville Jaguars enjoyed one of the more impactful schedule advantages when they faced both the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills during a two-game stint overseas. After walloping a struggling Colts squad in their return to the home of the brave, the Jags will look to extend their winning streak to four against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.
“It’s a short week,” said head coach Doug Pederson. “You just understand that you’re going to go through it, you get your team in here today, you got to practice today and practice tomorrow and then you’re on a plane heading to New Orleans.”
“It’s no different than any other week.”
Now in his seventh year as a head coach, Pederson will be aiming for his first win as a head coach in New Orleans. He traveled to the Big Easy just twice in his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles; once in the 2018 regular season with Carson Wentz, and once in the 2019 Divisional Round with Nick Foles.
His teams have been outscored by 47 points in the respective 48-7 and 20-14 losses. Thursday not only represents Pederson’s first opportunity to slay his ‘white whale’ since his time in Philadelphia, but linebacker Foyesade Oluokon’s first look at a former division rival in the teal and black.
“The rivalry, the fans and stuff, you feel it being a [Atlanta] Falcon and them being Saints. I’ll feel what I feel when I’m in the stadium,” said Oluokon. “...I’m saying to embrace everything that comes up to us and learn how to get through it.”
Oluokon, who spent the first four seasons of his career in Atlanta, has already battled the Saints eight times in his six-year career. With just two wins to show for it, the former Falcon will be looking for different results with one of more talented rosters he’s ever played on.
“This Thursday, it’s whoever embraces this week and whoever handles this week the best usually wins this game,” he said. Oluokon’s leadership will prove invaluable as a stout Jaguars defense prepares to play in one of the most hostile environments in the entire league; the Caesar's Superdome.
“You’re going into a place where regardless of a Thursday night or Monday night or Sunday night game, you’re going into a place that’s extremely loud," said Pederson. “Communication is hard and snap counts are hard. The more you can simplify motions and shifts and lining up in stagnant formations can help you.”
“[We’re] probably going to have to work in some silent cadence and work some stuff in with the noise using the speakers outside,” said offensive tackle Cam Robinson, who played in his second game since returning from suspension last Sunday. “I don’t know if there’s a way you can exactly mimic that environment, but just trying to be as best prepared as we can is the only answer for it.”
The offensive line will be one of the biggest factors in New Orleans, especially given the type of environment the Superdome is. The Saints’ have been the beneficiary of 13 false start penalties this year, with six of them coming at home; good for first and fifth in the league respectively.
The Jaguars are, however, extremely disciplined in enemy territory and have only been called for three offsides penalties away from home. With veteran leaders like Robinson and Oluokon, and a track record of avoiding mental mistakes, it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars not being prepared for the roar of the Crescent City’s crown jewel.
“It’s loud, yes, it is loud. I’m trying to relay that to the defense and to the whole team how that atmosphere is,” said Oluokon. “I give them respect for their fanbase and how they keep that thing packed and energized.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Thursday night’s bout with New Orleans just 6-9 on Thursday Night Football all-time. In the Trevor Lawrence-era the team is 1-1 with the former Clemson Tiger being held without a passing touchdown, but rushing for a score, in each contest.
It’s safe to assume the Jaguars will be ready to change some narratives on Thursday.
