Ever watched a game and thought, "This is exactly why I love football," only to realize fifteen minutes later you're witnessing one of the weirdest stalemates in modern history? That basically sums up the vibe whenever we see the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Saints.
Most fans look at this matchup and see two franchises from different worlds. You've got the Saints, a team with a Lombardi Trophy and a "Who Dat" culture that feels like a religion in New Orleans. Then there’s the Jaguars, the team that’s constantly "one year away" from being a perennial powerhouse. But when these two actually hit the field, the script usually goes out the window.
Seriously.
💡 You might also like: Hockey Scores From Yesterday: What Most People Get Wrong About This Week's NHL Chaos
Take their most recent clash on August 17, 2025. It was a preseason game, sure, but it told us everything we need to know about how these teams interact. Most people assume preseason doesn't matter, but if you were watching the Caesars Superdome that night, you saw a 17-17 tie that felt more like a chess match than a warm-up.
The 2023 Thursday Night Shocker
If you want to understand the modern friction of the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Saints, you have to go back to October 19, 2023. Thursday Night Football. The lights were bright, and the Saints were trying to claw their way back to relevance.
The Jaguars walked into the Dome and essentially ruined a massive second-half rally by New Orleans. Jacksonville walked away with a 31-24 win. It wasn't just a loss for the Saints; it was a reality check. Alvin Kamara was doing Alvin Kamara things—racking up 153 total yards and setting a club record with his fifth career two-point conversion—but it wasn't enough to stop a Jaguars team that was finally starting to believe its own hype.
What’s fascinating is how the series history leans. Before that 2023 game, the Saints had a pretty firm grip on the rivalry. They lead the regular-season series 5-3. New Orleans won three straight matchups between 2011 and 2019.
But things are shifting. The "old" Jaguars might have folded under the pressure of a New Orleans crowd, but the current iteration led by Trevor Lawrence plays with a different kind of composure.
Why the 2025 Tie Matters More Than You Think
Kinda weird to talk about a tie, right? In August 2025, the Jaguars and Saints ended their preseason Week 2 matchup at 17-apiece. Usually, a tie is just a "meh" result. But look at the details.
✨ Don't miss: University of South Carolina Gamecock Logo: Why This Angry Bird is One of a Kind
Trevor Lawrence looked different. His footwork was sharper. He went 8-of-10 for 76 yards and a touchdown to Parker Washington before the coaches pulled him. On the other side, Spencer Rattler—who’s been the talk of the town in New Orleans—showed that he’s not just a backup. He led an 82-yard drive in just over two minutes, capped it with a touchdown to Dante Pettis, and then ran in the two-point conversion himself to tie it with 21 seconds left.
This game proved that both teams are currently building through the same philosophy: hyper-athletic quarterbacks and deep running back rooms. Jacksonville’s rookie Bhayshul Tuten and New Orleans' Kendre Miller both showed flashes of why the "workhorse" back isn't dead yet.
The "Who Dat" Advantage vs. The Duval Surge
Playing in New Orleans is a nightmare. Honestly, the noise levels in the Caesars Superdome can make a seasoned offensive lineman forget his own name. But the Jaguars have started to figure out how to neutralize that.
Historically, the Saints have relied on a dominant defense to frustrate Jacksonville. In 2011, they held the Jags to just 10 points while generating 500 yards of offense. In 2007, Drew Brees threw for 445 yards and three scores. It was usually a blowout.
🔗 Read more: Pink and Green Basketball Shoes: Why This Color Clash Actually Works
The tide changed because the Jaguars stopped trying to "out-Saints" the Saints. They stopped trying to play a wide-open, pass-heavy game and started focusing on ball security and defensive pressure. In that 2025 tie, the Jaguars' defense forced an early intentional grounding and a sack by Andrew Wingard within the first few drives. They were aggressive.
Misconceptions About the Matchup
- "It’s always a blowout." Not even close. Look at the 2003 game—Jaguars won 20-19. Look at the 2025 tie. These games are usually decided by one possession.
- "The Saints always have the QB advantage." During the Brees era? Absolutely. But since then, the gap has closed significantly. Trevor Lawrence vs. the Saints' revolving door of Derek Carr and Spencer Rattler is a much more even (and sometimes Jaguars-favored) fight.
- "Jacksonville can't play in the Dome." The 2023 win proved that’s a myth. They can handle the noise.
What to Watch for Next Time
When these two meet again in the regular season, keep an eye on the trenches. In their 2025 meeting, the Jaguars' offensive line showed massive improvements, but they still struggled with "run-blocking inconsistencies," as Liam Coen noted.
The Saints, meanwhile, are transitioning. They are no longer the team that simply out-scores you. They are becoming a team that relies on opportunistic defense—like Jonas Sanker’s last-second interception in 2025—to stay in games.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Red Zone: Both teams had fumble/interception issues in the red area during their last matchup. The team that settles for field goals instead of touchdowns almost always loses this specific series.
- The Kamara Factor: Even as he ages, Alvin Kamara remains the focal point of the Saints' offensive identity against Jacksonville. If the Jaguars can't keep him under 100 scrimmage yards, they rarely win.
- Backup QB Stability: Jacksonville has had issues with Nick Mullens and John Wolford's consistency. If Lawrence goes down in a game against the Saints' aggressive front, the Jags are in deep trouble.
- Monitor the Kickers: Cam Little (Jags) and Charlie Smyth (Saints) both nailed 50+ and 40+ yarders in their last outing. In a series this close, a missed kick is usually the deciding factor.
This isn't just another game on the schedule. It's a clash of two southern identities trying to prove they belong in the elite tier of the NFL. Whether it's a Thursday night thriller or a preseason stalemate, the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Saints always delivers something you didn't see coming.
To get the most out of the next game, keep a close eye on the Jaguars' turnover margin. They were -15 in the 2024 season, which is a death sentence against a Saints team that thrives on defensive "Havoc" plays. If Jacksonville keeps the ball, they usually control the clock. If they don't, the Superdome crowd will eat them alive.
Next Step: Check the official NFL schedule for the next regular-season cross-conference rotation to see when these two will meet in a game that actually counts toward the standings.