NFL: Lawrence leads Jaguars to victory away to Saints despite knee sprain

New Orleans Saints 24-31 Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence threw a tiebreaking 44-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirklate in the fourth quarter and the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars made a goalline stand to win their fourth consecutive game by defeating the New Orleans Saints 31-24 Thursday night.

Lawrence, whose status was uncertain until pregame warmups because of a knee injury, completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and the one score. He found Kirk on a crossing route that enabled the Jaguars (5-2) to overcome a fourth-quarter comeback by the Saints (3-4).

Derek Carr, who completed 33 of 55 for 301 yards, drove New Orleans to a first-and-goal at the 6 in the final minute, but threw four straight incompletions. Saints tight end Foster Moreau was wide open in the end zone when he dropped a third-down pass with 25 seconds left.

Down by 11 at half-time, the Saints drove to Blake Grupe's 42-yard field goal on the first possession of the third quarter to get within 17-9.

Foyesade Oluokun made the Jaguars' NFL-leading 16th takeaway when he intercepted Carr and returned 24 yards for a touchdown that pushed the lead to24-9.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Taysom Hill ran 1 yard on fourth down for a touchdown that reduced the lead to 24-16.

Jacksonville's Travis Etienne Jr., who rushed for two touchdowns, was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the New Orleans 47 midway through the fourth. Three plays later, Carr threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas and connected with Alvin Kamara for a two-point conversion that tied the score with 6:38 remaining.

The Jaguars received the opening kick-off and drove 75 yards, scoring on Etienne's two-yard touchdown run.

The Saints moved into scoring range on the ensuing