Last minute decision
Bad mistake stops the Saints’ late comeback
October 20, 2023, 6:19 a.m
The New Orleans Saints are a few yards from tying the score in a spectacular NFL game. But instead of overtime, the team’s last drive brings a bitter disappointment: a simple catch fails, and the Jacksonville Jaguars save the rest of a comfortable lead to the finish.
The New Orleans Saints carelessly gave up on a comeback in the NFL and lost their home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars 24:31. In the final quarter, the hosts had temporarily made up a 15-point deficit and then missed another touchdown in their last attack because Foster Moreau dropped a pass from quarterback Derek Carr completely unchallenged. The Jaguars were then able to run out the clock and celebrate their fifth win in their seventh game of the season.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence played despite a knee injury and had a touchdown pass and 59 yards on his own runs. None of his teammates had more. “I ran more than I normally run,” Lawrence said. “Four wins in a row feels extremely good.” Travis Etienne also played a major role in his team’s success with two touchdowns after runs.
“It was nerve-wracking, but we trust them. They did a great job,” pass receiver Christian Kirk said of the defense that held off the Saints’ final efforts. Kirk had a touchdown of his own. “To have four wins against very good teams is really great for us.”
The Saints had the most effective offensive series of the game when they scored their second touchdown with three passes for a total of 53 yards in just 51 seconds. But quarterback Carr was again visibly frustrated on the sidelines, and the mood in New Orleans seemed extremely tense. Carr is playing his first season with the Saints after moving from the Las Vegas Raiders.