Game Recap: Saints host Jaguars to open preseason

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 15: Zach Wilson #4 of the New Orleans Saints against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome on August 15, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New Orleans Saints kicked off the 2026 preseason on Saturday night as they hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Caesars Superdome. Here's a quick recap of all the action from the black and gold's only home game before the regular season.

First Quarter

Things got off to a flyer for the home team, as Ty Chandler returned the opening kickoff for 86 yards to set up Audric Estime for a 9-yard touchdown run and an instant 7-0 Saints lead.

Nick Mullens started the game at quarterback for Jacksonville and led a decent opening drive for the visitors, with a 17-yard throw to rookie wideout Josh Cameron helping the Jaguars into the red zone.

But Mullens was intercepted by Jaylan Ford, keeping the visitors scoreless.

The teams proceeded to exchange three straight 3-and-outs, the last of which ended in a muffed punt by Ryan Wright that gave the Jags a short field.

They capitalized on the opportunity with a 54-yard field goal from Cam Little to get them on the board.

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler fumbled on the opening play of the ensuing drive, and the Jags once again took advantage of a short field with another field goal to put the score at 7-6.

Second Quarter

Rattler was better as the Saints offense returned to the field, finding a variety of receivers on a 15-play drive. The hosts failed to convert a 3rd-and-long, but Tanner Brown converted his 49-yard field goal attempt to extend the Saints lead.

The team traded quick punts once again before Carter Bradley, in at QB for Jacksonville, was intercepted by Jayden Price.

Zach Wilson led the Saints offense back onto the field and thought he'd thrown a touchdown to Bub Means on the first play of the drive. But Means was ruled just short of the end zone, and tight end Oscar Delp caught the short touchdown pass from Wilson instead to put the Saints up 17-6.

Jacksonville proceeded to punt once again, and Wilson wasted no time in the 2-minute drill. He found Bub Means for 37 yards, and Barion Brown for 28 yards as the Saints quickly moved into field goal range.

Brown converted again from 29 yards as the Saints brought a 20-6 lead into the half.

Third Quarter

Bradley returned to deliver his best drive of the day for the Jags, who drove 79 yards in just over 6 minutes to open the half. Hunter Long caught a 1-yard touchdown, and J'Mari Taylor ran in a 2-point conversion attempt to bring the score to 20-14.

Wilson connected with Jalen Moreno-Cropper for 14 yards as the Saints drove to set up another field goal attempt. But Charlie Smyth missed wide right from 52 yards.

The Jags offense returned to the field, and Bradley converted a 3rd-and-18 with a pass to Brady Boyd to extend the drive into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter

A holding penalty paused momentum for Jacksonville as they drove into Saints territory, and they had to settle for a 36-yard field goal.

But the Saints went 3-and-out as Hunter Dekkers entered the game at quarterback, giving the Jags the ball and a chance to take the lead, trailing just 20-17.

And Joey Aguilar did just that as he entered the game at QB, finding Trebor Pena for 43 yards to set up a 2-yard touchdown run from J'Mari Taylor.

The extra point gave the Jags a 24-20 lead.

Both teams proceeded to punt in quick succession, leaving the Saints 2 minutes to find a winning touchdown.

Dekkers almost found the score the Saints needed, with big gains to Moren0-Cropper and Trey Palmer helping the black and gold into the red zone.

But the final play of the game was an incomplete pass intended for Moreno-Cropper in the end zone, and the Jags held on for the win.

The Saints head to Los Angeles to face the Rams on Saturday, before the trip to Dallas to close out the preseason.