Jaguars vs. Saints: MNF betting odds, preview, and pick

As further proof that the NFL season is tantalizingly close, the first Monday Night Football game of 2021 will take place at Caesars Superdome as the Jacksonville Jaguars visit the New Orleans Saints (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Each club was hooked with a loss in its preseason debut; the Jaguars were soundly beaten by the Cleveland Browns, 23-13, while the Saints surrendered the lead in the fourth quarter in a 17-14 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

Our betting analysis and predictions for this preseason contest are below.

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) at New Orleans Saints (0-1)

Lawrence hoping for better start in second NFL game

Though he’s yet to be anointed the Jaguars’ starting signal caller for Week 1 of the regular season, Trevor Lawrence got the initial nod for Jacksonville’s first preseason game, and is expected to start under center again here.

The former Clemson standout received a rude welcome when he was strip-sacked on his first snap against the Browns, but recovered to go 6-for-9 with 71 yards through the air.

“I feel like the first time out there, I felt comfortable, felt poised,” Lawrence told ESPN. “Obviously, the first play’s not kind of what you want for the first play, but after that, I thought we did a good job.”

Gardner Minshew – the Jags’ incumbent quarterback – managed just 46 yards through three possessions and threw an interception against Cleveland.

Winston, Hill tussling for starting quarterback role

The Saints have a quarterback battle of their own brewing following the departure of the legendary Drew Brees. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill appear to be on equal terms; Hill got the nod to start the first preseason game, but Winston will have that honor on Monday.

Hill went 8-for-12 with 81 yards and an interception, one of six New Orleans turnovers in their loss to the Ravens. Winston was 7-for-12 through the air with 96 yards and a touchdown, but also threw a costly interception.

Jaguars vs. Saints injury report

Jaguars and Saints betting trends

• The Jaguars are 0-5 ATS in their last five games played in August
• The Under is 7-1 in the Jaguars’ last eight games played on a Monday
• The Saints are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall
• The Under is 5-1 in the Saints’ last six games played in August

The verdict

The Saints – a playoff team in 2020 – are more than capable of dispatching a Jaguars squad that won only once last season. Their six-turnover effort in Week 1 was mostly likely an aberration.

Score prediction: Saints 21, Jaguars 10

NFL pick: Saints -4.5