NEW ORLEANS (AP) — J’Mari Taylor rushed for 78 yards and a 2-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and the Jacksonville Jaguars scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the New Orleans Saints 24-20 in both teams’ preseason opener on Saturday.Taylor’s score, which gave the Jaguars their first lead, was set up by undrafted rookie quarterback Joey Aguilar’s 43-yard completion deep down the left sideline to fellow rookie Trebor Pena. New Orleans had two more possessions before the game ended with fourth-string QB Hunter Dekkers under center. The first ended with a punt, the second with an incomplete pass as time expired on second and goal from the 2.Carter Bradley passed for 105 yards and short TD to tight end Hunter Long for the Jaguars. He also was intercepted by Jayden Price near midfield late in the first half, setting up a Saints touchdown.
Both teams sat out most of their projected starters, seeking to preserve their health while focusing on evaluations of players trying to fill reserve roles or simply stick on the roster.Zach Wilson, acquired as a free agent by New Orleans this offseason, began making his case to become the backup to Tyler Shough. Wilson relieved Spencer Rattler in the second quarter and completed 11 of 16 passes for 145 yards and short touchdown to rookie tight end Oscar Delp.Wilson completed three deep passes, hitting Bub Means for gains of 37 and 27 yards, and rookie Barion Brown for 28 yards.
