Week 2 of the 2021 NFL preseason: What we learned from the Saints’ victory against the Jaguars on Monday night
What you need to know about Week 2 of the NFL preseason in 2021, according to NFL.com. Below are the most important takeaways from each game:
Jacksonville Jaguars 21, New Orleans Saints 23
SCORE IN THE BOX
Early on, Callaway excels. Marquez Callaway is providing the Saints with a stepped-up presence from their wide receiving corps while
they wait for injured standout Michael Thomas to return in October.
He was an unknown undrafted rookie a year ago. He’s starting to appear like a major target for this attack. In the first quarter, he had
five receptions for 104 yards, including two long touchdown catches of 43 and 29 yards.
He even overcame pass interference on the opening play to make a difficult catch. Coach Sean Payton had seemingly seen all he
needed to see Callaway after only a quarter of play following an outstanding preseason opening.
A long season is ahead, and although it’s unclear what Callaway’s role will be after Thomas returns, there’s little question he’ll be
heavily relied upon in September.
Hold tight, Minshew.
The rumors that the Jaguars may be ready to sell quarterback Gardner Minshew if he loses his starting position
to Trevor Lawrence, as anticipated, should be put to rest.
Not just because Known to improve must finish the season; he mustn’t, and because the Tigers system needs as much mobility as
possible in the quarterback room. Jacksonville’s pass protection was abysmal on Monday, and even playing with less than a complete
front seven, the regular season may not bring much better. Minshew excels at extending plays and maneuvering through traffic in
the pocket. Urban Meyer’s system, like many others, requires the quarterback to be mobile at times, so a stagnant quarterback
behind shaky pass protection is the last thing he wants. Lawrence, who is very mobile himself, is not exempt from this reasoning.
It’s only natural for QB2 to have his own set of wheels.
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Winston is right on the money. Nobody ever doubted Jameis Winston’s ability to move the ball downfield. Even during his notorious
30- interception season in 2019, which marked his departure from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was tied for fourth in the NFL in
yards per attempt (8.2). Early Monday night, Winston’s deep ball was on full show as the Saints raced to a 14-0 lead behind 43- and
29-yard touchdown passes from the former Florida State quarterback.
The second came with a blitz in his face, and both were precisely placed beyond of reach of tight covering.
Winston seemed crisp and in charge of the Saints’ offense on the whole. To beat out Taysom Hill for the starting position, and, more
importantly, to retain it for 17 games, he’ll have to limit his mistakes. However, if he can continue to produce spectacular plays as he
did on Monday, his margin for mistakes may be reduced.
NFL Analysis: Marquez Callaway of the New Orleans Saints is one of three players in the preseason since 2017 to have 160 or more
receiving yards and two or more receiving touchdowns on eight or fewer receptions. Jake Kumerow of Green Bay and Jakeem Grant
of Miami are among the others (2017).
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Source:
2021 NFL preseason, Week 2: What we learned from Saints’ win over Jaguars on Monday night
