Pick details
| MATCHUP | Jacksonville Jaguars | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +1.5 -105 | -1.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | +120 | -142 |
| Total | Over 35.5 (-112) | Under 35.5 (-108) |
| Where | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA | |
| When | Saturday, August 15, 2026 | |
| Time | 04:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN Unlmtd | |
New Orleans Saints Preview
The New Orleans Saints finished last season with a 6-11-0 record and placed 4th in the NFC South. They had a 3-5 home record and a 3-6 road record. Offensively, the Saints averaged 18.0 points per game, ranking 28th in the NFL, while defensively, they allowed 22.5 points per game, which ranked 16th. New Orleans averaged 313.6 total yards per game (219.3 passing and 94.3 rushing), while allowing 299.8 total yards per game (101.2 rushing and 198.6 passing).
Tyler Shough led the Saints in passing with 2,384 yards, completing 67.6% of his passes with 10 touchdowns. Alvin Kamara led the team in rushing with 471 yards, while Chris Olave led the receiving corps with 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Demario Davis led the team with 143 total tackles (64 solo), Cameron Jordan recorded a team-high 10.5 sacks, and Kool-Aid McKinstry led the defense with three interceptions.
Jacksonville Jaguars Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished last season with a 13-4-0 record and placed 1st in the AFC South. They had a 7-2 home record and a 6-2 road record. Offensively, the Jaguars averaged 27.9 points per game, ranking 6th in the NFL, while defensively, they allowed 19.8 points per game, which was 8th. Jacksonville averaged 337.4 total yards per game (222.3 passing and 115.1 rushing), while allowing 303.6 total yards per game (85.6 rushing and 218.1 passing).
Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars with 4,007 passing yards with 60.9% completed passes and 29 touchdowns. Travis Etienne led the team in rushing yards with 1,107 and seven touchdowns, while Parker Washington led the team in receiving with 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Foyesade Oluokun had a team-high 143 total tackles (69 solo), while Josh Hines-Allen led the team in sacks with 8.0, and Devin Lloyd led the team with five interceptions.
Jaguars vs Saints Prediction
The Saints are 4-1 in their 5 meetings against the Jaguars, having won two of their three meetings in New Orleans. All of their three meetings in New Orleans have gone over the total.
In this Jaguars vs Saints Prediction, the Saints are coming as -1.5 home favorites. The Jaguars lost some depth across the secondary while securing star rusher Travon Walker to a massive extension. The Saints moved on from several expiring veteran contracts while retaining key defensive spine pieces like Kaden Elliss. They brought in running back Travis Etienne Jr. and guard David Edwards to completely overhaul the ground game.
The Saints have been dominating the Jaguars historically and even though they had a much worse season last year, I will not fade them in front of their home crowd in the preseason opener. The books agree, as they have them listed as favorites, so I will go with the Saints by -1.5 in this one.
Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: New Orleans Saints -1.5
