The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the New Orleans Saints 24-20 in their pre-season opener. Zach Wilson showcased his potential as a backup quarterback for the Saints, completing 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars dominated the second half, scoring 18 unanswered points, largely thanks to undrafted rookies J’Mari Taylor and Joey Aguilar. Taylor rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, while Aguilar contributed with a 43-yard completion that set up the game-winning score.

By the Numbers
  • Zach Wilson completed 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and 1 TD.
  • J’Mari Taylor rushed for 78 yards and scored 1 TD for Jacksonville.
State of Play
  • Both teams played without starters, with Wilson and Spencer Rattler leading for New Orleans.
  • The Jaguars’ defense stepped up in the second half, allowing no points as they executed their comeback.
What's Next

The Jaguars will host the Carolina Panthers on Friday night, while the Saints will practice in California before facing the Los Angeles Rams on August 22.

Bottom Line

Jacksonville's resilience in the second half highlights the potential of their rookie players, while New Orleans will need to address its quarterback situation and capitalize on scoring opportunities in upcoming games.