NFL: The Saints get their first win of the preseason behind a strong performance by Winston

New Orleans, Louisiana - The New Orleans Saints finally won an NFL preseason game as they held off the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night.

Saints quarterback Jameis Winston threw two touchdowns in just one quarter of New Orleans' win over Jacksonville on Monday night.
Saints quarterback Jameis Winston threw two touchdowns in just one quarter of New Orleans' win over Jacksonville on Monday night.  © IMAGO / Icon SMI

Jameis Winston (27) made a strong case for replacing Saints legendary quarterback Drew Brees as they just got by the Jags 23-21 at home.

Winston has been entangled in a QB competition with teammate Taysom Hill, who was previously drafted in 2017 when Brees first began to mull retirement.

The first quarter was all Winston’s. He threw for 123 yards and completed all but one of his 10 pass attempts, two of which ended in a touchdown for Marquez Callaway. Once the quarter was over, so was Winston’s impressive night.

Hill was given the football with more time on the field to have a decent game himself, going 11-for-20 with 138 yards and a touchdown, through the second and third quarters. Even though Hill’s been known for being tough to tackle when he gets running, he was sacked twice during his shift.

Sean Payton, the head coach of the Saints, told NBC Sports that he hopes to name his starting quarterback before their final preseason game on Saturday.

As for the Jaguars, they were still going through their growing pains as rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence and first-time NFL head coach Urban Meyer were back at it again, looking for their first exhibition win. Lawrence threw 14-for-23 with 113 yards, but it was C.J. Beathard who was the most efficient passer, going 9-for-14, 121 yards, and two touchdowns.

The Saints stay at home to wrap up their preseason against the Cardinals on Saturday, while the Jaguars head to Dallas on Sunday to take on the Cowboys.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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