Aug 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. – That was a half for the New Orleans Saints to forget, trailing Jacksonville 17-3. The team started a few pieces of their starting lineup during the second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On offense, tight end Juwan Johnson and center Erik McCoy did not see the field. On defense, most starters did not play, with only starting cornerback Isaac Yiadom seeing action.
And it looked like it. The Jaguars run game decimated the Saints’ patchwork defense, continuing the trend that was seen during the team’s joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams: porous run defense.
Offense Didn’t Help The Quarterback Battle
Much like last week’s first team, the Saints’ offense couldn’t put much together. Even with most of the team’s healthy starting offensive line on the field and starting wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed available, the team crossed midfield just once on four possessions with a pair of three-and-outs in the process.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough saw his first preseason start completing nine of his 12 passing attempts, but only for 66 passing yards. He was sacked twice for a loss of 17 yards due to not-so-inspiring offensive line play, and was whistled for an intentional grounding while under pressure for a loss of 12 yards.
He did help put together a 10-play, 55-yard offensive drive when the score was still within one score. A third down drop by Olave stunted the drive, forcing a 51-yard field goal for kicker Blake Grupe.
The quarterback battle won’t move because of Shough’s performance, leaving the door open for second-year passer Spencer Rattler in the second half.
Defense Struggling Again
After surrendering 148 rushing yards to the Los Angeles Chargers last week, the Jaguars are already up to 69 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown through the first half.
The Saints’ second-unit defense struggled against the run and didn’t do much to slow down the Jacksonville passing game either with starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence going 8/10 for 76 passing yards and a passing touchdown. Meanwhile backup Nick Mullins has had no issue moving the ball either, completing 10 of his 11 passes for 87 passing yards.
New Orleans’ defense has generated very little pressure and hasn’t gotten to the quarterback much, including no sacks on the day.
Second Half Rebound?
The team will be looking for a second-half ignition much like they almost got from Shough last week. Either the rookie will get another drive or two or Rattler will take over as the Saints get the ball to start the second half. It will be an opportunity to further distance himself in the starting quarterback conversation for 2025. Shough has closed the gap a bit in the last few weeks, Rattler now has another shot to fend him off coming up soon.
