New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tanner Koziol (89) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

NEW ORLEANS (GG) — Despite the New Orleans Saints playing in their first preseason game in the 60th anniversary of the franchise, the team allowed 18 second half points and suffered a 24-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday, August 15 at the Caesar’s Superdome.  Even with a 14-point half time lead (20-6), the Saints allowed nearly 200 yards in the second half and a last second touchdown attempt was short.

How it Happened

The game got off to a quick start when veteran running back Ty Chandler returned the opening kickoff 86 yards. The kickoff return was the longest by the Saints in a preseason game since Aug. 12, 2010.  This led to an opening touchdown when Running back Audric Estime scored the first points on a 9-yard run just 21 seconds into the game but left the game in the second quarter after taking an awkward hit on a reception.

In the first half, New Orleans showed out defensively as Saints linebacker Jaylan Ford had an interception as did defensive back Jayden Price.  Price’s pick set up the touchdown by Rookie Tight End Oscar Delp. The defense had three sacks in the first half (four for the game), and edge Michael Heldman had two of them.
Jacksonville was held to only two field goals in the first half by kicker Cam Little.
Saints kicker Tanner Brown made a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 29-yarder to end the first half for a 20-6 lead.
Coming out of the gates, the Jaguars moved the ball quickly down the field, scoring off a 1-yard pass to Hunter Long from Quarterback Carter Bradley.  Beginning the fourth with a 36-yard field goal from Little, the Saints lead was cut to 20-17.  
Finally, J’Mari Taylor rushed for 78 yards and a 2-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and the Jacksonville Jaguars scored 18 unanswered points to beat the Saints.

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore reacts during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

What the Coach Said
New Orleans Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore had nothing but praise for the team despite giving up 18 unanswered points in the second half.
“Love the way our guys competed, feel like we got some good stuff out there,” expressed Moore, who is in his second year for the New Orleans Saints.  “Plenty of growth for their future, I was proud of all three of those quarterbacks giving us a chance to win.  I feel really good about our entire quarterback room.”
 
Backup Quarterback Battle
 
While the Saints starters; including Tyler Shough, sat out at the opening of the preseason game, reserves Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson were looking to fight for the backup role.  Wilson looked more polished and was 11-16 for 145 yards with a touchdown pass. Rattler finished going 8-11 for 42 yards with a lost fumble. 
 
The USFL player Hunter Dekkers played the final 8:27 of the game and almost engineered a game-winning drive before the final pass of the game ended up incomplete in the left corner of the end zone.  Dekkers was eight of 15 for 69 yards.
 
Southern Miss Alum Nick Mullens started the game for Jacksonville, completed just three of seven passes for 33 yards and threw one interception.
Up Next
The Saints will travel to the Los Angeles area on Monday ahead of joint practices against the Dallas Cowboys (Tuesday), the Los Angeles Rams (Thursday) and a Saturday preseason game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
(Photos by Gerard Hebert/Associated Press)