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The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) secured a sweep of the division-rival Indianapolis Colts (3-2), 37-20 this past weekend at EverBank Stadium where the “Duval Devout” experienced something they hadn’t yet in 2023 — witnessing a victory for their Jags in Duval County.
Jacksonville’s ninth straight win in their home city over the Colts dating back into the “Obama Administration”, gave them sole possession of first place in the AFC South.
Their season-opening action was in Indianapolis for a Week 1 win before dropping two straight at EverBank to the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans to start their home slate 0-2. Then heading off to London for games at Wembley Stadium over the Atlanta Falcons and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the Buffalo Bills, their stay across the pond was good for 2-0.
Yet, silly as it sounds, that left the Jags with a “home” win and a road win regardless of never earning a result inside of the 904 area code until this past Sunday.
The @Jaguars Josh Allen on his squad attacking to get takeaways. #DUUUVAL Powered by @JaguarReport and @3ptCnvrsn pic.twitter.com/dJyQXozITk
— Kyle Nash (@TheSoTG) October 17, 2023
That being said, that’s hardly where the oddities end. For all the hype surrounding Trevor Lawrence and the offense this season and all the concern for the lack of a Jaguars’ pass rush, it would seem that this team six games in is being carried by defensive efforts. So far in 2023, Jacksonville leads the league in creating turnovers.
Some of that is due to facing the rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in his first start, the struggling Atlanta Falcons quarterback, Desmond Ridder and Colts’ backup and former Jaguar Gardener Minshew. Nevertheless, they also have interceptions recorded against Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Bills.
The rest of it comes down to the Jags’ performance at all levels of their defense.
Jacksonville’s Andre Cisco and Darious Williams are both included in an eight-man list of league-leading defensive backs in interceptions with three. Over and above that, Josh Allen is tied for second place with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt for the NFL’s lead in sacks.
While there is some concern as to whether Lawrence, with a knee sprain, will take snaps under center Thursday against the Saints in New Orleans, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Jags can put up a fifth win with C.J. Beathard starting.
