As a Saints fan, last week was incredibly disappointing. Not only did New Orleans manage to lose to a C.J. Stroud-led Texans team, but the kicker, Blake Grupe, missed two field goals. Let’s say Grupe makes both the field goals he missed. The Saints were in field goal range with less than two minutes to go in the game. They kick a field goal and make it, then they’re up 22-20, and all they have to do is hold Houston for a minute and a half.
At the beginning of the season, New Orleans decided to part ways with kicker Will Lutz. Lutz had been with the team since he was signed in 2016. For me, I liked this move. Lutz hadn't been the same kicker since his 2021 injury. His field goal percentage shot down from 82.1% in 2020 before his injury to 74.2% in 2022 after his injury. Even going under 85% on field goals is not where you want to be as an NFL kicker. It just made sense in my mind for the Saints to make this move.
Back to Grupe, New Orleans was hoping he’d be different than the field goal failure of a season in 2022. I’m not saying Grupe cost us the game, but it would’ve been a different ball game had he done his job. I might not be able to kick field goals for an NFL, but I guarantee you, I’ll do the job I get paid to do.
Game Info
When: Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 7:15 PM CST
Where: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
TV Info: FOX
Injury Report
New Orleans Saints
Player: | Position: | Injury: | Status: |
Juwan Johnson | TE | Calf | Out |
J.T. Gray | S | Hamstring | Out |
Landon Young | OT | Hip | Out |
James Hurst | OG | Ankle | Out |
Ryan Ramczyk | OT | Concussion | Out |
Demario Davis | LB | Knee | Questionable |
Lonnie Johnson Jr. | S | Hamstring | Questionable |
Tyrann Mathieu | S | Foot | Questionable |
Jamaal Williams | RB | Hamstring | Questionable |
Jacksonville Jaguars
Player: | Position: | Injury: | Status: |
Tyson Campbell | CB | Hamstring | Out |
Zay Jones | WR | Knee | Out |
Trevor Lawrence | QB | Knee | Questionable |
Walker Little | OT | Knee | Out |
Brandon Scherzo | OG | Ankle | Questionable |
Davon Hamilton | DT | Back | Out |
Betting Info
Spread Favorite: Saints (-2)
Moneyline: Saints (-138), Jaguars (+116)
Over/Under: 40.5 points
Prediction
Ooo wee! Even though they’re the favorite to win this game, it doesn’t look good for the Saints. There are a lot of factors that are involved in this prediction. Looking at the injury report, Derek Carr might become the most sacked quarterback in a game. New Orleans’ offensive line already struggles. To have three potential starters out is a game-changer. Now, Jacksonville also has some injury report struggles for this game, too. The first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft might be the first overall pick on the sideline this game.
Without their star quarterback, can the Jaguars beat this Saints defense? Who does Jacksonville have as their backup to Lawrence? Do I think C.J. Beathard has what it takes to beat this Saints defense? My answer is no. The lack of depth in the quarterback position for Jacksonville has me worried for them. Beathard has only ever won two games in his seven-year career in the NFL. To say he could win a third one against this home-field-advantage Saints defense is slanderous. Assuming Lawrence does start this one for the Jaguars, I believe this New Orleans offense will struggle to find the endzone against the Jacksonville defense and lose at home for the second time this season. I might have to talk with Grupe because he is going to have to show up and show out for the Saints to have a chance to win this Thursday Night Primetime matchup.
Final Score: Jacksonville Jaguars 17, New Orleans Saints 9
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