NEW ORLEANS, La. – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays in the Jaguars’ 17-17 tie with the New Orleans Saints in a 2025 Preseason Week 2 game at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., Sunday

1. Impressssssssive. The Jaguars' starting offense played two series Sunday – and while it was impressive on both, it was the unit's second drive that left it with its best feeling of the preseason to date. The key to this drive: A strong effort from the offensive line, with the Jaguars solidly establishing the run and running back Travis Etienne Jr. rushing three times for 24 yards on the series. "I was pleased with the way we ran the football early on with the older guys," Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen said. Key plays on the series: A 15-yard run by Etienne on second-and-2 from the Saints 42 and a six-yard run by Etienne on third-and-three from the Saints 13. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who completed eight of 10 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown Sunday, capped the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Parker Washington – with Washington continuing to turn in the best training camp/preseason in three NFL seasons. "He just consistently keeps competing at a high level," Coen said of Washington. "Every day, he makes a play. Every day, he's in the right spot at the right time. I love his play energy. He doesn't fatigue much. I've been very pleased with Parker."

2. Saack – and a pressure. The Jaguars' starting defense, like the offense, played just two series Sunday, but the unit turned in an impressive – and perhaps needed – effort on its first series. The first-team defense, after allowing an easy nine-play touchdown drive in a preseason-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers eight days before, allowed a quick first down on the Saints' opening possession Sunday. But then safety Andrew Wingard broke through the middle of the line on first-and-10 from the Saints 23 and sacked quarterback Tyler Shough for an eight-yard loss. Defensive end Travon Walker pressured Shough into an intentional grounding penalty on the ensuing play, helping to force a punt. The resulting field possession helped lead to the drive that ended with Washington's touchdown. The Jaguars' first-team defense allowed 21 yards and no first downs in two drives Sunday. "Defensively, I thought they played really well throughout," Coen said.

3. Ooof. A botched exchange ended the Jaguars' first drive, a disappointing end to an otherwise first possession after the opening kickoff. Lawrence appeared to lose his footing coming out of the snap on first-and-10 at the Saints 11 and fumbled while reaching to hand off to running back Tank Bigsby. Saints defensive tackle Vernon Broughton recovered at the Saints 12. The fumble ended a 53-yard drive on the opening possession on which Lawrence completed four of five passes for 45 yards. He also twice converted third downs with passes of 10 and 12 yards to tight end Brenton Strange. The Jaguars' first-team offense in two series produced a touchdown and 108 total yards. "That whole sequence (the fumble) was not good," Lawrence said. "But besides that one play, it was a pretty clean day. We moved the ball, stayed on schedule and were pretty efficient."

4. On the grind. The Jaguars ran consistently early Sunday, and that stayed true after the first-team offense with Bigsby and Etienne left the game. The Jaguars' second touchdown of the game came on the reserves' second series, with running back Bhayshul Tuten's three-yard touchdown run – the third-round rookie's second rushing touchdown in as many preseason games – capping a seven-play, 66-yard drive and giving the Jaguars a 14-3 lead with 3:21 remaining in the second quarter. Tuten carried three times for nine yards on the final three plays of the series, which rookie running back LeQuint Allen Jr. started with a 14-yard run to the Jaguars 48. Also key on the drive: A well-timed throw and catch from backup quarterback Nick Mullens to tight end Hunter Long, with Long catching the pass over safety Jonas Sanker for a 26-yard gain on first-and-10 from the Saints 35.

5. Good again from long again. This wasn't a headline-grabbing kick on a level that kicker Cam Little executed a week ago, but the second-year veteran for a second consecutive week gave the Jaguars serious halftime momentum. Little, whose 70-yard field goal against the Steelers in Preseason Week 1 would have been an NFL record had it been in the regular season, converted a 53-yard field goal on the final play of the first half Sunday to push the Jaguars' lead to 17-3. Little through two preseason games has converted eight of eight kicks, including all five field goals. He has converted field goals of 70, 53 and 52 yards.