Saints Defense Tames "Minshew-Mania" in 13-6 Win
JACKSONVILLE, FL - The New Orleans Saints improved their win-loss record to (5-1) on the season —and (4-0) under back-up #2 QB Teddy Bridgewater —in a grind-it-out, defensive contest vs the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) and rookie sensation Gardner Minshew.
While on paper this match-up looked to be an offensive showdown between two quarterbacks who were not Week One starters, it was the defensive gameplan from both teams that caused a stalemate in the first half.
It was Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who had been listed as questionable vs. Jacksonville with an ankle injury, that started the action early. Kamara showed no signs of his ankle injury and saw touches on three of the Saints five plays on the first drive that ultimately resulted in a punt.
The Jacksonville offense picked up a first down on their first drive before the Saints defense forced three consecutive three and outs by Minshew’s 6th ranked offense in the NFL through 5 weeks of the 2019 season.
The defensive struggle was broken on New Orleans' third drive of the game by a Wil Lutz 47 yard field goal that capped off a measly 7 play, 8 yard drive that started from Jacksonville’s 37 yard line following a 9 yard punt return from Deonte Harris.
Following four consecutive series that resulted in punts by the two teams combined, the Jaguars offense came to life from a third and six completion to Louisiana native D.J Chark that went for 32 yards; and put the Jags into Saints territory for the first time in the ball game with 7 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Former LSU standout Leonard Fournette lead his team inside the red-zone, where they ultimately settled for a 22-yard field goal following a New Orleans goal-line stand.
The teams headed into the locker room knotted up at 3 a piece after a last second attempt to get in to field goal range for Jacksonville was denied by Cameron Jordan who picked up his 4th sack of the season seconds before the end of half number one.
Jacksonville, who won the coin toss deferred and elected to receive to start the second half, saw their first drive of the 2nd half result in Gardner Minshew’s first interception as a starter as 2017 defensive rookie of the year Marshon Lattimore collected his 1st interception of the year. Thus, setting up Teddy Bridgewater and company at their own 40 yard line.
Oct 13, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints, who are ranked within the top three in the NFL in points off their opening possession of the 2nd half with (24), added to their tally as Teddy Bridgewater and Latavius Murray originally thought that they had connected on a 42 yard screen pass to add another 6 points to the scoreboard. However, a holding call on Michael Thomas nullified the touchdown.
The Saints offense then stalled out in the red-zone and settled for a Wil Lutz 21 yard field goal to regain the lead following an 11 play, 57 yard drive.The following Jacksonville possession saw Gardner Minshew connect with Dede Westbrook for a 21 yard gain on third and one; to keep the drive alive and put the Jaguars in Saints territory.
After 3 carries from Fournette for a total of 25 yards, the Jaguars called a timeout. Two plays later, the Saints defense responded by sacking Minshew on third down, and only surrendered a field goal.
Then in a tied game early in the 4th quarter, the tides began to turn in New Orleans' favor as Michael Thomas’ 23 yard grab on first down and twenty following a holding call, set up Bridgewater for a textbook 4th quarter drive that resulted in a go ahead touchdown pass to Jared Cook.
That play ultimately would put a bow on a well-executed 11 play, 75 yard drive that took 6:22 off the game clock and gave the Saints the first touchdown of the entire game for either team.
With a seven point lead in the ball game, the job was far from over for the Saints defense on the road in front of thousands of Jacksonville fans that were sporting their mustaches on Minshew mustache give-away day at TIAA Bank field.
The crowd grew silent on the second play of the drive when tight end Geoff Swaim’s drag route was disrupted with a crushing helmet to helmet collision with Saints linebacker Demario Davis; that saw the Saints defensive captain penalized and saw Swaim leave the game.
Minshew lead his team inside Saints territory but an incomplete pass on fourth down tgave New Orleans possession back. The Saints went a quick three and out, following a sack of Bridgewater by Jags LB Najee Goode, setting up a huge drive with just over 7 minutes remaining in the game.
The Jaguars went back to Fournette on consecutive plays that set up a third and five. Minshew then targeted Westbrook on third down, but it was broken up by Marshon Lattimore and the Jaguars were forced to punt.
The Saints offense regained possession for what would be the final time; as they started at their own 40 yard line with 6 minutes and 9 seconds away from their fourth consecutive victory.
The 9 play drive saw only 2 passes from Bridgewater, but none bigger than the third and one conversion to Jared Cook — who snuck out off the play action to the middle of the field for a critical reception that put the game "on ice" for the Black and Gold. Murray finished the final drive with 3 carries for 18 yards, while the chants of “Teddy, Teddy, Teddy!!!” roared from the stands as the Saints lined up in "Victory formation".
Oct 13, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) meet after a game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints have now advanced to (5-1) overall on the season, and are now (4-0) in games decided by 8 or less (best in the NFL). Bridgewater finished the day 24-out-of-36 passing for 240 yards and 1 TD. Latavius Murray was the Saints leading rusher with 44 yards on 8 carries, and Michael Thomas continues his NFL dominance in the receiving game with another 8 receptions for 89 yards.
Defensively, the Saints continue to look stout as they held Jacksonville to 226 total yards, and only 151 passing yards from Gardner Minshew. Cameron Jordan finished with 4 tackles and 2 sacks, while cornerback Marshon Lattimore got his first interception of the year and continues his impressive play.
Next up for the Saints is another road contest as they travel to Soldier Field to challenge the Chicago Bears (3-2) next Sunday (October 20th) at 3:25 PM Central time in a nationally-televised game on FOX. The game will be shown locally in NOLA on WVUE-New Orleans FOX Channel 8.
