Saints (4-1) at Jaguars (2-3)
Jaguars schedule
L ...... Kansas City ...... 40-26 L ...... at Houston ...... 13-12 W ....... Tennessee ....... 20-7 W ....... at Denver ....... 26-24 L ...... at Carolina ...... 34-27 Oct.13...NewOrleans...1 Oct.20 ...atCincinnati ...1 Oct.27 ....... N.Y.Jets ....... 1 Nov. 3 Hstn (Lon.) 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10 ............. BYE ............. Nov. 17 . at Indianapolis . 1 Nov. 24 at Tennessee 4:05 Dec. 1 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Dec. 8 L.A. Chargers 4:05 Dec. 15 .. at Oakland .. 4:05 Dec. 22 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 29 ... Indianapolis ... 1
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s
’em
Saints’ keys to victory: QB Teddy Bridgewater has to get the ball out of his hands quickly considering how well the Jags’ defensive line attacks. One way to do that might be to get RB Alvin Kamara touches early as a rusher or in the short passing game. Even without QB Drew Brees, the Saints need to take advantage of the inexperience in the Jags’ secondary, which might be again without CB Jalen Ramsey.
Jaguars’ keys to victory: The Jags have shown they are difficult to beat when RB Leonard Fournette gets going. His success opens up the entire offense, and that’s exactly what Jacksonville will need to do to beat New Orleans. That would allow offensive coordinator John DeFilippo to take shots at the Saints’ defense through the air. If Jacksonville can maintain that balance, surprising rookie QB Gardner Minshew II and his favorite target, WR DJ Chark, could have for a big day.
Matchup to watch: Saints WR Michael Thomas vs. Jaguars’ secondary. If Ramsey doesn’t play, this could be the spot where the Saints take advantage of the Jags. While Jacksonville still has CB A.J. Bouye, Saints coach Sean Payton might look to find ways to get his best receiver, Michael Thomas, on CB Tre Herndon, who has struggled while replacing Ramsey.
Who wins? The Jags will be coming off a two-game road trip and won’t make it easy for the Saints in front of the home crowd. But the experience of Payton and the New Orleans’ coaching staff gives the visitors an edge.
Saints, 21-17 line: Pick