Moeller: Jaguars' Defense Ready To Reach New Level
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| PHOTO BY JIM BRADY/Florida Sports Wire |
By JEFF MOELLER, Florida Sports Wire
Maybe it was a sign.
In the final five minutes, there was a collective sigh at EverBank Stadium Sunday and likely if you were watching at home.
In a 10-10 game, Houston had the ball, and they were driving into Jacksonville territory for a potential game-winning score.
It had all the making of another game that would slip away from the Jaguars, especially after it happened to them last week in Cincinnati. The season – and any thought of a postseason – was on the brink with a defeat that would leave them at 0-3.
And this was Houston, who made Everbank Stadium their own Disneyworld with seven straight victories there.
However, the Jags got a reprieve from what can save them this season –their defense.
Tyson Campbell forced a fumble and Devin Lloyd recovered, and the Jags had a life again.
Trevor Lawrence, who threw a costly interception that led to Houston’s tying score and had a mediocre afternoon despite some drops, finally connected with Brian Thomas on a huge 46-yard play. Lawrence also scrambled to convert a key first down that led to the game-winning 17-10 score on Travis Etienne’s touchdown run.
But this day belonged to the defense.
In addition to their fumble recovery, they recorded two sacks and two interceptions. Their nine takeaways led the league, and are one more than they had all of last year.
Yes, it was one more than they had all last year.
And take about timing..and possibly some fate. The Jags’ three takeaways occurred in the fourth quarter and inside their 30-yard line.
The defense lead by top picks Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker may be finally meeting their once high expectations. Foye Oluokun has been their tackling machine the past few years, and he now has the support he has always needed.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who easily looks like their best free-agent pickup, had an interception, and he has solidified their much-maligned secondary. Fellow corner Tyson Campbell also is playing well.
The Jags’ defense did allow 271 total yards, but they had 20 pressures and six quarterback hits against Houston’s C.J. Stroud, who was pressured 33 percent of his drop-back passes.
On Stroud’s final pass, Hines-Allen partially deflected, and it fell into the arms of safety Antonio Johnson.
Just when it looked like it might be another long season, the Jags' season suddenly took an upswing.
Through their first three games, the Jaguars’ defense only has had a bad second half against Cincinnati so far, a game that slipped away. Other than that, they have been a unified group with several contributors.
Getting rid of the Texans’ curse can be one of the biggest wins in franchise history. In spite of the Colts’ 3-0 start, the AFC South can still be up for grabs. Houston appears to be in some disarray, and Tennessee is young.
The Jags can get back to the postseason, and their defense can be their catalyst. The defense will have a challenge winning in San Francisco next Sunday, where they haven’t won in two tries. They’ll likely face an old teammate in quarterback Mac Jones.
Hines-Allen is confident his unit can continue to raise the bar.
"We're building something very special here. We have to keep capitalizing off that."
The signs are there.
