JACKSONVILLE, Fla. _ On an afternoon the Jaguars issued 30,000 fake mustaches to fans, they were unable to get enough Minshew Mania to enjoy.
The Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew wasn't as sharp as he's been in previous games against the New Orleans Saints on a sun-splashed afternoon at TIAA Bank Field.
A few of his passes sailed past receivers. On some attempts, Minshew was forced to hold the ball too long because his receivers couldn't get open.
It all played a role why Minshew couldn't lead the Jaguars downfield on a touchdown drive. Without it, the Jaguars couldn't win, losing to the Saints 13-6 to drop to 2-4.
Not only was Minshew sacked twice, he was picked off by Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore on the Jaguars' opening drive after halftime on a pass intended for DJ Chark over the middle.
Minshew's miscue set up the Saints' scoring drive that ended on Wil Lutz's 21-yard field goal that put the Saints ahead 6-3.
It was Minshew's first interception since Week 1 against against Kansas City after he stepped in for injured starter Nick Foles.
He continue to struggle to find a rhythm in the fourth quarter. On a critical 4-and-2 play at the Saints 40, Minshew's pass over the middle intended for wide receiver Chris Conley sailed incomplete.
The Jaguars couldn't avoid a bad start. The Jaguars opened the game with three consecutive three-and-outs on first-half possession before they put forth a 13 play, 66-yard drive that ended on Josh Lambo's 22-yard field that tied the score at 3-all.
But what helped the Jaguars Sunday unlike last week against Carolina was much improved defensive play, especially by linebackers Myles Jack and Najee Goode, who started in place of rookie Quincy Williams.
Instead of getting gashed for long run plays, they delivered their share of hard licks. They also consistently got after Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Rookie Josh Allen and Dawuane Smoot got back-to-back sacks late in the second quarter.
The Jaguars' secondary also held Saints' Michael Thomas, who entered as the NFL's leading receiver, to only two catches in the first half. He didn't make his first catch until early in the second quarter and they held Kamara to 37 yards on 12 carries. It was enough for both teams to go into halftime tied at 3-all.
Still, the Jaguars gave up a fourth quarterback touchdown that turned out to be the difference in the game.
