It was a bitter loss for the Jacksonville Jaguars in their last game as they were shut-out by the Houston Texans. They lost a huge fourth-quarter lead, losing in the end 36-29. That can’t take away from the team’s overall issues with their pass rush, which played a huge role in this loss. This has been an ongoing issue for them all year. Despite ranking 10th in quarterback pressures, the Jaguars have only managed two sacks in the fourth quarter and overtime of their last two games, raising concerns among players and coaches alike.
The Jaguars currently sit at the bottom of the league with only 12 sacks, tied for the fewest in the NFL. Their blitz percentage is 23rd in the league, at only 32%. This absence of any real pressure has resulted in an increasing urgency towards figuring out a way to maximize their often lacking defensive release. In their last match-up with the Texans, the Jaguars were only able to produce two sacks. Even one of those sacks produced a safety, which makes you wonder how effective those were overall.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that discussions about the pass rush have become a frequent topic within the team’s facility. Players have expressed their frustrations as well. Linebacker Devin Lloyd mentioned, “We have all the faith in the world in the guys up front,” emphasizing the belief in their teammates despite the challenges.
Recent performances have indicated that the Jaguars’ pass rush just isn’t getting the job done. Travon Walker highlighted, “Could definitely could have finished [better against the Texans], but I think it’s winning on early downs, too.” This statement points to a broader issue: the need to create pressure earlier in drives to disrupt opposing quarterbacks effectively.
Much to the juxtaposition of their 1st pressure stats, the Jaguars have disappointedly failed to turn these chances into real outcomes. The past two games illustrate this disconnect, as they recorded only six pressures and two sacks while blitzing just twice on 36 dropbacks. Coach Liam Coen remarked on this challenge, stating, “That’s something we definitely need to talk about as a staff and as a group.” He reiterated the importance of being able to create leads and play with pressure on opposing offenses.
Performance statistics reveal further concerns. As for Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, their two sacks apiece this season are not ideal. Further, Dawuane Smoot and Emmanuel Ogbah have flashed but collectively only have 1.5 sacks on their production in line with overly bland pass-rushing corps. These figures signal an urgent need for reform and maybe even replacement in the years ahead.
As I previously touched on Wednesday, the Jaguars’ struggles defensively have jumped off the pages. Coach Coen noted, “You’re kind of trying to hold onto a lead and make them earn it and we let up too many explosive plays.” This sentiment is indicative of an increasing understanding from the cast about the need to finish plays and make the most of defensive upside.
Even during all the struggles, DaVon Hamilton recently gave a glimpse of success with a huge pass knock down on an important two-point try. His dazzling performances showed that even amid an embarrassing pass rush, you can find hopeful signs. Consistent execution remains elusive. Michael DiRocco commented on the overall frustration surrounding the Jaguars’ defensive performance: “It’s been a frustration for a while now. Obviously, the combination of lack of getting to the quarterback and, when we do, finishing it, but it definitely needs to continue to get evaluated and see who can help us do those things, too.”
The Jaguars’ new real test will be dealing with these distractions directly as they head toward their next game. A hard look at ways to get more push up front with a pass rush could be key for their long-term playoff hopes.
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