Sports
Jaguars’ pass rush falters as Jacksonville enters bye week at 4-2
Jacksonville has gone sackless in both of its losses, including Sunday’s 34-31 defeat to Houston in London. The Jaguars’ defense remains strong against the run and in several other measures, but its edge rushers have produced little since a promising season opener.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jaguars head into their bye week with a clear defensive concern: a pass rush that has yet to deliver in either of their losses this season.
Jacksonville (4-2) failed to record a sack for the second time in six games in Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 24 of 34 passes for 312 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The Jaguars hurried him only twice.
The team’s edge-rushing duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker had 1½ sacks apiece in Jacksonville’s season-opening win over Cleveland. They have combined for just half a sack in the five games since. The pair is set to earn close to $50 million in 2026.
Jacksonville’s 11 sacks entering Week 7 ranked 20th in the NFL. The Jaguars have generated pressure on 23.6% of opponents’ drop-backs, the league’s 15th-best rate, and rank among the top 10 in quarterback knockdowns. But pressure has not consistently turned into sacks or stops at crucial moments.
The Jaguars had a chance to close out both defeats with a defensive stand. They led Denver 13-6 entering the fourth quarter in Week 2 before allowing two touchdown drives in a 20-13 loss. Against Houston, Jacksonville erased a 10-point deficit but could not get to Stroud on key late plays; the Texans won on a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
Coach Liam Coen said the wet, slippery field in London made it difficult for both defenses to get firm footing. He also said the team would review how to simplify its approach so players could plant and play more effectively. Jacksonville defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said Hines-Allen takes on responsibilities beyond rushing the passer, including dropping into coverage, and added that he could do more to improve the team’s sack totals.
The pass rush is one of the few weaknesses for a defense that leads the NFL in limiting opponents to 72.2 rushing yards per game, has seven interceptions—the most in the AFC—and allows 17.3 points per game, third-best in the league. Jacksonville blitzes on 24.5% of passing plays, and Coen said the team needs to reach the quarterback when it does send extra rushers.
The Jaguars selected Walker first overall in the 2022 draft, ahead of Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who went to Detroit. Hutchinson has recorded 47 sacks in 61 games; Walker has 29½ in 69. The comparison has become more conspicuous as Jacksonville looks for ways to generate pressure without compromising the strengths of its defense.