Jaguars Rally Past Saints 24-20 in Preseason

The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the New Orleans Saints 24-20 on Saturday at Caesars Superdome, turning a 14-point halftime deficit into an 18-0 second-half preseason comeback behind a steady rushing workload from J’Mari Taylor.

Jacksonville trailed 20-6 at halftime after New Orleans controlled the second quarter 13-0, but the Jaguars found a different rhythm after the break. They scored eight points in the third quarter to pull within 20-14, then added 10 more in the fourth to complete the rally. The Saints, who scored in each of the first two quarters, were blanked over the final 30 minutes.

That second-half split was the defining story of this Week 2 preseason matchup. Jacksonville’s ability to erase a two-score deficit showed the value of executing through all four quarters, particularly in August games where depth players and roster hopefuls are trying to make their opportunities count. The Jaguars improved to 1-0 with the road victory, while New Orleans fell to 0-1.

The early portion of the game belonged to the Saints. New Orleans took a 7-6 lead through one quarter, then widened it to 20-6 by intermission. But Jacksonville held the line after halftime, keeping the Saints off the board in both the third and fourth quarters. The Jaguars’ eight-point third quarter changed the feel of the game, setting up a fourth-quarter finish in which Jacksonville scored the final 10 points.

Without a full play-by-play scoring log, the available game data does not identify the specific turnover, red-zone stop, fourth-down conversion, two-point attempt, or special teams sequence that shaped the final possessions. What the quarter-by-quarter result makes clear, though, is that Jacksonville consistently won the field-position and scoring battle after halftime. In a one-score preseason finish, that late-game composure mattered.

Key Performers

J’Mari Taylor, Jaguars: Taylor led all rushers with 22 carries for 78 yards and one touchdown. His 22 attempts were a major part of Jacksonville’s offensive identity, giving the Jaguars a reliable ground-game presence as they worked back from the halftime deficit. In a preseason setting, that kind of sustained workload can be especially meaningful for a back competing for a role.

Zach Wilson, Saints: Wilson was the game’s passing-yardage leader, finishing 11/16 for 145 yards and one touchdown. He helped New Orleans build its 20-6 halftime advantage, efficiently completing nearly 69 percent of his attempts. Still, the Saints could not translate that early passing success into points after the break.

Bub Means, Saints: Means paced all receivers with four receptions for 77 yards. His production supplied an important downfield component for New Orleans, and he was Wilson’s most productive target by yardage. The receiving leader’s output underscored how effective the Saints’ offense was early, even though Jacksonville’s second-half defense changed the result.

The provided data does not list Jacksonville’s individual passing leader or receiving leader, but Taylor’s touchdown and volume on the ground helped anchor the Jaguars’ comeback effort. Jacksonville did not need overtime: its fourth-quarter surge settled the result in regulation.

NerdSports Stat: Jacksonville overcame a 20-6 halftime deficit by producing every point scored after halftime, an 18-0 closing run.

For Jacksonville, the win provides a positive preseason building block: a road comeback, a productive featured runner and a defense that finished with two scoreless quarters. New Orleans will look to carry its first-half offensive efficiency into a more complete 60-minute performance as both clubs continue evaluating their rosters ahead of the regular season.

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