How the Jacksonville Jaguars can win the AFC South in 2020

1. The Jacksonville defense finally solves its run-stopping issues.

Back in 2017, a big-play unit propelled the franchise to its first division title since 1999. The Jacksonville Jaguars fielded a defense that specialized in getting after opposing quarterbacks and turning opponent’s mistakes into touchdowns.

That year, the club ranked second in the league in fewest yards allowed and first in the league against the pass. The Jaguars finished with 55 sacks and 33 takeaways and returned seven of those enemy miscues for touchdowns during the regular season and one more in the playoff win at Pittsburgh. But that team was 21st vs. the run.

So what can be expected from coordinator Todd Wash (via Kassidy Hill of SI.com) this year? Jacksonville allowed 45 offensive touchdowns and 397 points this past season while only four teams in the NFL allowed more yards per game on the ground.

This offseason, the franchise dealt veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell to Baltimore and cornerback A.J. Bouye to Denver. Last fall, the Jaguars sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Rams. The team did get a big rookie year from 2019 first-round pick Josh Allen (10.5 sacks). And Jacksonville added two defenders in the first round in April in cornerback C.J. Henderson (1-Florida) and linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (1b-LSU). Stay tuned.