JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As far as the Jaguars are concerned, they have one of the NFL’s best defenses, allowing just 17.3 points per game (3rd). The run-defense is especially dominant, best in the NFL in yards per game (72.2) and yards per play (3.2). The pass-defense, however, isn’t quite as sturdy.
While the run-defense might be the best in the NFL, the pass-defense ranks 30th in both yards per game (273.8) and yards per play (7.4). Most recently, the Texans’ CJ Stroud tossed for 312 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 34-31 victory over the Jags.
It begs the question, how good is this Jaguars’ defense? Are they as good as their third-best 17.3 points allowed might indicate or as bad as their 30th ranked pass-defense? The truth is likely somewhere in between.
A lot of Jacksonville’s defensive success lies in their red zone success. They’ve mastered the “bend don’t break” mantra, allowing a 40% red zone %, third best in the NFL. Additionally, the Jaguars lead the NFL in red zone takeaways with four, while no other team has more than two.
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Travis Hunter himself has more red zone takeaways than 27 NFL teams.
Takeaways are a huge aspect of the Jags’ defensive success. Typically, they are a statistic that doesn’t travel year to year, but the Jaguars are proving this is simply who they are under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. Their seven interceptions are tied for second-best in the NFL.
When the Jags’ aren’t forcing turnovers, the grass is a little less green, however. Cornerback Jarrian Jones is the most targeted defender in the NFL (52) and has allowed the most yards (445), according to Pro Football Focus. He’s especially been picked on as of late, targeted 37 times over the last three weeks.
It isn’t all doom and gloom for Jones, he’s made some pretty notable plays. He’s got a passer rating of 82.6 when targeted, which is honestly fairly solid. For someone targeted as much as Jones, one would think his passer rating and coverage EPA allowed would be worse than they are.
Montaric Brown has faced his share of struggles this season. Injuries have been a factor, but Brown’s 149.3 passer rating against and 250 yards on just 72 coverage snaps leave something to be desired. The Jags need a healthy Brown back after the bye week.
Jourdan Lewis is the embodiment of the Jags’ defense. He’s nabbed two crucial interceptions but also has allowed a 70% catch rate and two touchdowns on the year.
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This volatile play style is how Jacksonville can simultaneously rank as the 30th best pass-defense and 3rd ranked defense. They allow the second-highest explosive pass play rate (19.8%) in the NFL, but simultaneously make as many plays as any other defense in the league.
Travis Hunter has come to embrace his stardom for the Jaguars, playing nearly 100% of defensive snaps over the last three weeks. Injuries in the secondary have forced Hunter to step up, and boy has he.
This past Sunday, Hunter became just the fourth player ever to record an interception and receiving touchdown in the same game. As mentioned, Hunter has two red zone interceptions, but the “unicorn” has also allowed just 61.5% of his targets to be caught for a passer rating of 58.8.
His 0.0 NFL Rating in man coverage remains the NFL’s best. Opposing receivers have caught two of eight targets for 16 yards and zero touchdowns. And he’s just getting better.
Nico Collins, who has given the Jaguars absolute fits, was held to 74 yards with Hunter primarily in coverage, the fewest yards allowed to Collins since 2023. Of the 74, 63 came with Hunter in coverage on two receptions.
The Jaguars’ defense has had its share of both success and struggles. Their inability to get off the field quickly and susceptibility to explosive pass plays, have unfortunately been something that has become somewhat of a concern.
Right now, drives feel as though it’s turnover or touchdown. Boom or bust. Just a bit more consistency is needed in their pass-defense and this team could make a deep playoff run and turn out to be as dangerous as any.
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