Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Jaguars catch Saints by surprise with successful fake punt

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 10/19/23

The Jacksonville Jaguars were having their way with the New Orleans Saints in the first half of Thursday's game, controlling the game on offense and defense.

Late in the second quarter they added special teams to that list of advantages.

With the Jaguars facing a fourth-and-two just inside of Saints territory, head coach Doug Pederson called for a fake punt that was perfectly pulled off by punter Logan Cooke.

As Cooke took the snap, he immediately passed the ball to a wide open Tim Jones for a 13-yard gain and a first down.

Have a look.

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That would turn out to be a pretty significant play. Instead of the Saints getting the ball back with over 1:30 to play in the half with a chance to drive down the field and get points, Jacksonville was able to hold onto the ball and continue its drive. It would eventually result in a 43-yard field goal by Brandon McManus to extend the Jaguars' lead to 17-6 going into halftime.

Pederson is a very aggressive coach and is not afraid to draw up some trick plays. The fake punt was their second trick play of the first half following a flea-flicker that went for eight yards earlier in the second quarter.

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