Jaguars vs. Saints: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

If this were a regular-season game, this is where I would talk about the tall task the Jacksonville Jaguars face against the New Orleans Saints, how Drew Brees is probably going to go crazy in this one and why the Saints' defense is going to feast on quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

But it's not, so we can talk about how you should definitely watch the first half of this game before going to the bar instead!

I kid, I kid. Both teams have young players you'll want to keep an eye on, and with all of the Bountygate drama from this year, any indication on how the Saints are handling themselves on the field this season is worth a look.

Below, you'll find everything you need to know heading into this preseason showdown—er, game.

When: 8 PM ET, August 17, 2012

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA 

Watch: CST/FOX WVUE (New Orleans)

Listen: Sirius XM Radio 128 and WWL 870 AM (New Orleans), and  Sirius XM Radio 137 (Jacksonville)

Live Streaming: NFL Preseason Live

Betting Line: SAINTS (-6.5), according to Bovada

Key Jaguars Injuries (from CBS)

TE Zach Miller, Pectoral, Questionable

Key Saints Injuries (from CBS)

WR Adrian Arrington, Knee, Out

TE Jimmy Graham, Back, Questionable

WR Nick Toon, Foot, Questionable

DB Jabari Greer, Hernia, Out

DB Patrick Robinson, Shoulder, Questionable

RB Darren Sproles Knee, Out

 

What's at Stake?

Roster spots and positional battles. It's the preseason, people.

 

Fantasy Prospect to Watch: Justin Blackmon

Blackmon could be very busy in this one, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN:

"

If Blackmon doesn't show fatigue, he could play entire first half Friday in New Orleans, per Mularkey. #Jaguars

— Paul Kuharsky (@espn_afcsouth) August 14, 2012"

Rookie wide receivers are always an extremely risky proposition for your team, though last year players saw success with A.J. Green and Julio Jones. But Blackmon isn't as talented as either of those guys, nor does he have Andy Dalton or Matt Ryan throwing him passes.

Keep a close eye on how Blackmon responds in the playing time he gets in the first half. If he makes a few big plays, looks strong getting off the line and runs sharp routes, he could be a sneaky producer in fantasy this season.

 

What They're Saying

The Saints are ready to put Bountygate and Gregg Williams behind them and embrace a new defensive system, according to Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News:

"

Enter his fellow Super Bowl winning replacement, Steve Spagnuolo, and the team is ready to write a Spags to riches story. Along with a new defensive coordinator, there is a new scheme, some key new players and a new attitude to help the team get past the controversial end of Williams' tenure. That's all helped create a renewed focus toward an old point of emphasis: Creating takeaways.

"

 

Jaguars Player to Watch: Blaine Gabbert

He's the most important player in Jacksonville, bar none.

Will he progress quickly enough to lead the Jaguars to a resurgent 2012 season? Will he ever be good enough to justify his selection as a franchise quarterback? Will he and Blackmon gel and give the Jaguars an elite connection in the passing game someday? Will he at least make the Jaguars' passing game decent for once?

There's a lot of pressure on Gabbert, both now and in the future. It will be interesting to see how he responds.

 

Saints Player to Watch: Mark Ingram

There were a lot of fantasy owners who thought they struck gold when they selected the rookie running back last season. There were a lot of fantasy owners who were just as soon disillusioned, as Ingram finished the 2011-12 season with just 474 rushing yards and five touchdowns last season in 10 games.

But if he plays on Friday, keep a close eye on him. He's still an explosive, powerful runner who should be effective on early downs and by the goal line for the Saints. The combination of him and Darren Sproles should give the Saints a scary inside-outside threat.

Ingram could be a major bounce-back player this season. He's the Saint I'm most intrigued to see this preseason.

 

Prediction

Blaine Gabbert will look shaky. Justin Blackmon will have one spectacular play and be ho-hum the rest of the way. Maurice Jones-Drew will be talked about during the broadcast way too often. Drew Brees will be sharp. The Saints will win, 31-21.

 

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