Just like that, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ short week is over, and they’ll be playing the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.
The Jaguars have been playing their best football of the season, while the Saints have been up and down. Jacksonville has won its past three games, but New Orleans lost three of its last four games.
Despite their difference in recent fortune, the Saints will still be a tough matchup. New Orleans has talent up and down its roster, it just hasn’t fully meshed as a unit yet.
Here are five Saints players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in their Week 7 meeting:
WR Rashid Shaheed
Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed has gone from a strong return man last year to consistent deep threat this season. Shaheed has three catches for 40 or more yards through the first six weeks.
With Tyson Campbell out of the lineup, and the Jaguars already struggling against similar players — like Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell — Shaheed is a prime candidate to hurt the Jaguars.
With Montaric Brown seeing the field in place of Campbell, New Orleans could use Shaheed to target the inexperienced cornerback.
DE Cameron Jordan
Cameron Jordan has been a member of the New Orleans defensive line since 2011, and he’s proven himself as a top defensive end in the league for most of that tenure.
Jordan consistently makes plays behind the line of scrimmage. With him playing the Jaguars this week, there’s a strong chance he gets reps across from rookie tackle Anton Harrison.
The Jags’ rookie has shown flashes but is yet to find much consistency on the outside. Harrison has already gone through a handful of experienced defensive linemen, and Jordan will be the next to try to take advantage of the rookie’s inexperience.
LB Demario Davis
Like Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis has been with the Saints for years. And he’s a consistent piece of a strong Saints defensive unit.
Despite playing in his age-34 season, Davis has once again been a veteran leader for New Orleans. Davis has 38 total tackles, two sacks and two deflected passes so far this year.
He has the ability to take away big plays from running backs and make things difficult for opposing quarterbacks. The question is whether Davis, who is expected to be a game-time decision after not practicing all week, is in the lineup.
The Saints need him to be, because he may be their best shot at disrupting Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. and quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
S Tyrann Mathieu
While safety Tyrann Mathieu hasn’t been on the Saints for very long, he’s a veteran on the defense that’s given opposing quarterbacks trouble for years.
Mathieu has 23 tackles, one interception and three deflected passes in 2023 so far. While his stats this season haven’t been eye-popping, he’s been a solid piece for the Saints.
Mathieu has the ability to cover receivers all over the field and take advantage of quarterbacks’ wandering eyes. Like Davis, he’s questionable for Thursday, but seems likelier to play. If he does, Lawrence will have to be wary of the Saints’ ball hawk.
DE Carl Granderson
The Saints have patiently allowed Granderson, an undrafted addition in 2019, to develop into one of the NFL’s better defensive ends.
Six weeks into the 2023 season, he’s putting together career-best numbers with 4.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits already. By Pro Football Focus’ count, the 23 pressures recorded by Granderson have him currently tied with the Jaguars’ Josh Allen.
Cameron Jordan will demand a lot of Jacksonville’s attention Thursday night. The Jaguars can’t afford to forget about the defensive end on the other side, though.
