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Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 22: Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 22: Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 6: Jalen Ramsey #20 of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Taven Bryan #90 watches Taylor Lewan #77 of the Tennessee Titans after a confrontation during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 6: Jalen Ramsey #20 of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Taven Bryan #90 watches Taylor Lewan #77 of the Tennessee Titans after a confrontation during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

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Understandably so, the Jacksonville offense received its share the blame for the club’s disappointing showing in 2018. A unit that appeared to have the corner one year earlier reverted to its previous form.

Quarterback Blake Bortles once again became susceptible to turnovers. The Jaguars coughed up the ball 29 times in 16 contests this past season. In ’17, the total was 23 miscues in 19 overall outings, including zero turnovers in the team’s three-game postseason run.

But what about the other side of the football. A defensive unit they came up with a ton of big plays in 2017 just wasn’t the same for whatever reasons. During that AFC South title run, the Jaguars rolled up 55 sacks during the regular season, as well as an impressive 33 takeaways. Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell and company punished opposing teams with pressure and took back their share of turnovers for scores.

In 2018, there were 18 fewer sacks (37) and 16 fewer takeaways (17). And because the team has been erratic when it comes to stopping the run in recent seasons, there’s been nothing for this defense to fall back on. But this group could once again be primed to rediscover its opportunistic touch.

Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue and Marcell Dareus are now joined up front by exciting edge-rusher Josh Allen. The seventh overall pick in April’s draft has already opened some eyes. And if Jacksonville can put the sack back in their name, who knows that this defense is capable of this season?

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