NEW ORLEANS, La. (BRPROUD) — The New Orleans Saints offensive issues continued in a 31-24 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night at the Caesars Superdome.

The Jaguars made quick work on their first drive of the game, capping off a 5:16, 75-yard drive, with a two-yard touchdown run by running back Travis Etienne Jr., to go up 7-0. 

The Saints first drive of the night ended in a way Saints fans are all too familiar with this season, stalling out and having to settle for a field goal. However, rookie kicker Blake Grupe missed a 51-yard attempt, his third miss in two games. 

The New Orleans defense and special teams tried to do everything in its power to set the offense up for success, forcing a Jacksonville fumble, then recovering a fumbled punt.

The Saints offense failed to find the endzone after both takeaways, going three and out and then settled for a 23-yard Grupe field goal to make it, 7-3.

Jacksonville’s offense continued to have success in the second quarter, quarterback Trevor Lawerence sparked the drive with a 26-yard run. Etienne punched it in for his second touchdown of the night to make it, 14-3. 

The Saints tacked on another field goal after the two-minute warning after another failed drive that led to not finding the endzone. New Orleans went into the half trailing, 17-6, following a Jacksonville field goal with 32 seconds remaining in the half.

New Orleans was just one-for-eight on third downs in the first half. Running back Alvin Kamara was the team’s leading receiver in the first half with seven receptions for 60 yards.

The Saints offense continued to struggle to find the endzone to begin the second half, having to settle for yet another field goal to make it an eight-point deficit early in the third quarter. 

Things continued to get worse for the Saints offense. Carr threw a pick-six halfway through the third quarter, which made it, 24-9, Jacksonville. 

New Orleans finally found the endzone to begin the fourth quarter when Taysom Hill scored on a fourth and goal from the one-yard line to cut the deficit to, 24-16. Hill’s touchdown was just the second Saints offensive touchdown at the Superdome this season. 

The Saints defense did its job to keep the offense in the game, stopping the Jaguars on fourth and inches to force a turnover on downs.

The New Orleans offense was able to make quick work with Carr finding wide receiver Michael Thomas for a 17-yard touchdown. The Saints was able to convert on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 24 with 6:38 left to play.

The Jaguars were able to answer as Lawrence found wide receiver Christian Kirk for a 44-yard touchdown to give Jacksonville a 31-24 lead with 3:08 left to play.

With the loss, the Saints moves to 3-4 on the season. New Orleans will be back in action on Sunday, Oct. 29 against the Indianapolis Colts.