Preseason football usually means nothing. This one comes with an actual plot: Travis Etienne lines up against the franchise that drafted him, and two second-year head coaches get their first live look at where their teams stand.
Bush’s Picks
JAXNO
JAXNO
OverUnder
Best BetJaguars
Preseason moneylines are mostly noise once the backups take over, but Jacksonville brings the deeper, more proven roster into this one off a 13-4 season. New Orleans is still figuring out its identity under Shough, and that shows up more in August than it will in the regular season. Lean Jaguars, lightly.
Jaguars
+Went 13-4, won AFC South last season
+Lawrence entering year 2 in Coen's system
+Growing chemistry with Brian Thomas Jr.
−Hunter (knee) and Lewis (foot) questionable
−Lost divisional-round-type game to Bills, 24-27
−Starters likely to play sparingly in opener
Saints
+Won 4 of last 5 to close 2025
+Shough gets first offseason as clear QB1
+Added Etienne to bolster the backfield
−Finished just 6-11 overall last season
−Neal, Tyson, C. Miller, K. Miller all questionable
−Saldiveri (knee) out on reserve/PUP
Trevor Lawrence heads into this one fresh off the best stretch of his career, having led Jacksonville to a 13-4 record and an AFC South title in year 1 under Liam Coen. Tyler Shough is on the other sideline for his first offseason as New Orleans' unquestioned starter, tasked with building on a 2025 finish that saw the Saints win 4 of their last 5. Kickoff is set for Saturday, August 15 at 3:00 PM CT.
Both rosters are still shaking out. Travis Hunter (knee) and Jourdan Lewis (foot) are questionable for Jacksonville, while New Orleans is nursing its own list — Devin Neal, Jordyn Tyson and Kendre Miller all questionable, and offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri is out on the reserve/PUP list. Expect a rotation-heavy night on both sides as coaches sort out who's actually ready for the regular season.
Show fees
3:00 PM CT
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JAX Jaguars
NO Saints
The two teams already spent Thursday, August 13 across from each other for joint practices in Metairie, so this preseason opener is really the second chapter, not the first look. Etienne signed a 4-year, $52 million deal with New Orleans this offseason after four seasons as Jacksonville's lead back, and however many snaps he actually gets Saturday, there's an edge to this one that most preseason games don't have.
