Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive fingerprints on victory over Seahawks

The Jacksonville Jaguars picked up another must-win victory on Sunday in Week 14 due to the tenacious defense against the Seahawks.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday, to keep their hopes of the AFC South title within grasp. Although the Jaguars offense played very well, the defense made key stops in crucial spots. Sunday’s victory has the Jaguars defense all over it.

Jacksonville entered the game as one of the NFL’s top defenses, if not the best. The Jaguars lead the league in sacks with 47 after adding the two from Sunday. They are the best passing defense in the NFL. Even after allowing two long Seattle touchdown passes, Jacksonville is still tops in the NFL.

Seattle converted only two third downs in nine attempts. Jacksonville stopped the Seahawks on fourth down late in the game. It appeared that a Seahawks receiver was pulled down but he was not the target of the pass. The Jaguars ran out the clock to seal the victory.

Malik Jackson notched another sack on Seattle’s final fourth quarter drive. On third down, Jackson sacked Russell Wilson which forced the ill fated fourth down attempt. Jackson has seven sacks through 13 games. He had 6.5 total sacks in 2016.

Jalen Ramsey picked off a deep pass into the end zone to stop a first half Seahawk drive. From the Jaguars 46 yard line, Wilson launched a long pass which Ramsey muscled the ball away. Ramsey has four interceptions in 2017, so far. Ramsey, in his second season, is an elite cornerback. Pro Football Focus Edge (PFF) gives him a 94.1 grade in their Refocused recap, which makes him an elite defender.

A.J. Bouye intercepted Wilson twice. Bouye’s first interception lead to a third quarter Jaguars touchdown. His second interception was on another deep throw by Seattle. PFF Edge ranks Bouye as the fourth best cornerback and gives him a 90.9 elite grade.

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Defense win championships, as it has been said repeatedly forever. This Jaguars defense gives Jacksonville every shot at a championship. It’s safe to say that the 2017 season, not just this game, has the defense’s fingerprints all over it. Hopefully, it carries the Jaguars all the way to the Lombardi Trophy championship.