Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints: Full Jacksonville Game Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars start their two-week road trip to end the season this week, as they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in a game that can continue or end the Jaguars' chances at reaching the playoffs.
They'll need help from the Tennessee Titans, but a win from the Jaguars and a loss by the Houston Texans will make their Week 17 battle a possible title game for the AFC South.
But before they can begin to think about that game, they must take care of business against the Saints. Both Jacksonville and New Orleans are 5-9, but the Jaguars are still playing for the postseason, while the Saints will look to mathematically eliminate the Jaguars from the playoffs.
The Jaguars have showed varying degrees of quality over the past few weeks, and that makes figuring out this game difficult. They've recently put it together for a few wins, but there are still plenty of prevalent issues coming into Sunday.
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome; New Orleans, Louisiana
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: CBS (local and certain markets)
Week 15 Results and Recap
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As we've seen throughout the season, the Jaguars looked poised to beat the Atlanta Falcons late in an important opportunity, but a stagnant period on offense and failure to stop the Falcons on third down stunted a strong comeback.
After trailing 17-3 due to a terrible half from both the offense and defense, the Jaguars came out swinging in the second half, driving down the field and scoring to start, getting an interception soon after and then scoring again off good field position.
The score was 17-17 with just a few minutes left in the third quarter, and the Jaguars had more than momentum—they had confidence. But whatever swagger they acquired evaporated thanks to offensive miscues.
The defense did well to keep the Falcons to six points in the second half, but they simply could not get off the field. The Falcons converted several third downs to continue running the clock and keep the Jaguars offense off the field, which ultimately left a stumbling offense little time to recover.
The Jaguars fell 23-17, which was an accurate score considering the Jaguars play, but it was completely apparent that the Jaguars left another win out on the field.
News and Notes
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WR Allen Robinson Snubbed in Pro Bowl Voting
As seen on ESPN.com, the final results for Pro Bowl voting have been announced, and a certain sophomore wide receiver isn't on the list. Wide receiver Allen Robinson missed out on a selection, despite having 1,141 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season.
He is the first alternate, but a first-alternate selection doesn't do justice to Robinson's dominance throughout the season. He's been a consistent threat in a variety of situations, but it apparently wasn't enough.
When you open up voting to the public, players not as well-known like Robinson will suffer. But it is the system, and the small consolation is that Robinson will likely get to play considering one or two of the eight receivers selected will miss due to rest, injury or having postseason games.
WR Justin Blackmon Arrested for DUI
In sadder news, Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who is currently suspended and out of the NFL due to previous run-ins with substance abuse, was arrested in Ardmore, Oklahoma, for drunk driving, as reported by the Florida Time-Union's Ryan O'Halloran.
An officer pulled Blackmon over for a busted break light, but the officer smelled alcohol on Blackmon and gave him various tests, which solidified his condition to the officer and led to his arrest.
Blackmon was a magnificent talent coming out of college, and in the few occasions he appeared for the Jaguars, one could see the potential. Sadly, it seems like it will go to complete waste.
Latest Injury News
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RB Denard Robinson
Running back Denard Robinson had to take over for rookie running back T.J. Yeldon last week, but he suffered a foot injury during the game, something legitimately scary considering the Jaguars would now be down their first- and second-choice running backs.
But, as seen on the Jaguars' official injury report, Robinson practiced in full on Wednesday. That's great news, especially since Yeldon missed practice. The Jaguars may have both able to go, but it seems like they'll at least have Robinson for sure.
LB Telvin Smith
Linebacker Telvin Smith missed practice on Wednesday, as seen on the Jaguars' injury report, which is a serious concern given his play throughout the season. There's no doubt Smith has been a key player this season, and an absence from him would be a major loss.
Smith has avoided injuries throughout the season, but a combined shoulder/finger issue may keep him out in New Orleans. The Jaguars don't have another player who brings the explosiveness he does, so they need to hope he can go.
WR Allen Hurns
Wide receiver Allen Hurns has dealt with a multitude of injuries this season, and a nagging thigh injury is still plaguing him, as seen on the Jaguars' injury report.
He didn't practice on Wednesday, but it didn't seem like he aggravated anything too much this past weekend. I'd expect Hurns to go, but a long-lasting injury like this can surprise a player and his team.
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Key Matchups
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Jaguars Blitzes vs. Drew Brees/Matt Flynn
There hasn't been certain news on whether Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be able to play this weekend, but whether it's Brees or Matt Flynn, it's crucial the Jaguars bring various blitzes to keep the Saints' pass offense in check.
A decent QB who has a composed pocket will shred the Jaguars, and a guy like Brees would have a field day. To combat that, the Jaguars have to come after the QB and need their defensive front and extra blitzers to succeed.
Bringing a ton of different blitzes and looks is the only way to create discomfort when your defensive line can't provide the pressure, so it will be on defensive coordinator Bob Babich to find the system that works.
Jaguars Offensive Line vs. Saints Defensive Front
Robinson showed he's not a preferred starting option for the Jaguars, but he may be their best option on Sunday. To ensure he can do better than last week's 2.0 yards per carry, the offensive line will need to win some battles.
Establishing the run through Robinson will allow Jaguars QB Blake Bortles to attack a vulnerable Saints defense, and vice versa. The Saints defense has had a dismal season, but the offensive line will need to establish itself early all the same.
It shouldn't be the hardest battle for the line, but it's still one it needs to win. The offense has the weapons; it's on the line to provide the foundation.
X-Factor: Marqise Lee
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This is the second time I've considered wide receiver Marqise Lee an X-factor, and his selection this week is due to a perfect storm consisting of the Saints' 30th-ranked pass defense and Lee's first real impact of the season last week.
His two catches for 46 yards was his best outing of the season, and it hopefully built a little bit of confidence in himself as well as in his relationship with Bortles. Lee can still be a useful offensive weapon, and he proved that last weekend.
The Saints' pass defense is leaky, and that may open up some big-play opportunities for Lee. The Jaguars like to use him on go routes and in plays he can get space, and the Saints' struggling defense may make that an easier task than normal.
Lee won't see a ton of targets on Sunday, so he has to make his chances count. If he wants to continue getting back on track with the offense, Sunday is a prime chance to make a huge stride.
Prediction: Saints 35, Jaguars 31
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The Jaguars are going into another winnable game against the Saints, but it's hard to think they'll be able to win when one considers their lack of consistency and composure in close games as of late.
The Saints defense should allow the Jaguars offense to move with ease on Sunday, but Jacksonville has to limit its turnovers to a minimum. An awful pick last week provided a 10-point swing for the Falcons, and the Jaguars will have no chance if they give that kind of gift to the Saints.
The real problem for the Jaguars will be the secondary. If Brees ends up going, then he will face little adversity judging the first 14 games of the season, and that'll be difficult for the offense to keep up with.
The Jaguars could certainly win this game—even if Brees plays—but their inability to finish or find any kind of consistency makes it doubtful they'll be able to perform when they need to. The hopes for the playoffs will come to an end on Sunday.
All stats provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.
Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanreier.
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