By MARK LONG<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE \u2014 The Jacksonville Jaguars were a mess defensively last season.<\/p>\n
Overweight<\/a>, out of position and often the main reason for losses, the Jaguars lacked an identity on that side of the ball. The unit ranked near the bottom of the league in every statistical category and was among the worst in franchise history under first-time coordinator Ryan Nielsen.<\/p>\n And when then-coach Doug Pederson told owner Shad Khan he was planning no offseason staff changes, it was all Khan needed to hear to seal Pederson\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n The defense has been the biggest beneficiary of Khan\u2019s house-cleaning<\/a> \u2014 and it showed in a 17-10 victory over rival Houston<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n The Jaguars (2-1) notched three takeaways in the fourth quarter, giving them nine in three games and matching their total from last season. They have closed out both victories on that side of the ball and would be 3-0 had officials seemingly not botched a pass-interference call against rookie Travis Hunter at Cincinnati in Week 2.<\/p>\n \u201cEach level, guys are playing at a superstar level,\u201d defensive end Josh-Hines Allen said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be a tough team to beat.\u201d<\/p>\n It starts with Hines-Allen, who is nearing the franchise sack record (55). Down more than 10 pounds after bulking up to fulfill Nielsen\u2019s \u201cmass kicks ass\u201d request, Hines-Allen dominated his matchup against rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery. He drew two holding penalties, hit the quarterback three times and deflected C.J. Stroud\u2019s final throw, which was intercepted<\/a>.<\/p>\n Everyone around the defensive captain is following his lead. Travon Walker and Arik Armstead, who played out of position in 2024, have been stout up front. Linebackers Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd have been involved in two fumbles. And few defenders are playing as well as cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no flinch, really, out of that group,\u201d coach Liam Coen said. \u201cLast week was obviously disappointing to not finish it on the right end. To see them go out and take this win \u2014 to go take it from them \u2014 that\u2019s what we did.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s working<\/p>\n Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is mostly staying upright. Lawrence has been sacked three times in three games, which is tied for the second-fewest in the league.<\/p>\n Jacksonville\u2019s revamped offensive line has been one of the few bright spots on offense, and the unit has been tested while facing Carolina\u2019s Derrick Brown, Cincinnati\u2019s Trey Hendrickson and Houston\u2019s duo of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter.<\/p>\n Keeping Lawrence healthy was a top priority for 2025 after he missed seven games last season.<\/p>\n What needs help<\/p>\n Dropped passes continue to plague the Jags. Brian Thomas Jr. had three more against Houston, bringing his season total to five. Fellow receiver Parker Washington had two. And running back Travis Etienne had another.<\/p>\n Coen called it the \u201cdrop bug.\u201d Thomas responded when it mattered most, catching a 46-yard crosser that set up the go-ahead touchdown<\/a>. Nonetheless, drops are one of the most pressing concerns for Coen & Co.<\/p>\n Stock up<\/p>\n Lawrence showed some moxie during and after a chippy game. Teammates pulled Lawrence away from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair just before halftime. Lawrence, whose 2024 season ended last December with an illegal hit from Al-Shaair<\/a>, took exception to former FAU star Al-Shaair landing with his body weight on receiver Dyami Brown. The hit knocked Brown out of the game with a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n Lawrence was equally vocal afterward, a positive step for the fifth-year pro as a leader.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going to be dirty, but we got each other\u2019s back,\u201d Lawrence said. \u201cAnd no one is going to bully us and push us around. That\u2019s a mindset for our team, and that\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n Jags fans heckled Al-Shaair throughout the game, and the defender responded at one point by blowing kisses to the crowd.<\/p>\n Stock down<\/p>\n Backup defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has one tackle in three games while playing 37% of the snaps. It\u2019s hardly much return considering the Jags gave Ogbah a one-year, $3.25 million contract in April.<\/p>\n Injuries<\/p>\n Brown\u2019s shoulder injury is one to watch this week.<\/p>\n Key number<\/p>\n 15 \u2014 Number of losses for the Jaguars in 19 trips to the West Coast. They are 0-2 in San Francisco, where they play Sunday.<\/p>\n Next steps<\/p>\n Win a road game. Jacksonville has dropped 11 of its last 12 on the road.<\/p>\n Originally Published: September 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM EDT<\/p>\n