Sen’Derrick Marks Will Be The Difference Maker Against Texans

Sen’Derrick Marks has been one of the primary highlights for the 2-10 Jacksonville Jaguars so far this season.

The defensive tackle has played well against a range of opponents, especially in pass rushing. He holds the team lead in sacks with seven (tied with defensive end, Chris Clemons). He consistency collapses the pocket from the middle, forcing quarterbacks from Philip Rivers to Eli Manning scramble for their lives as they try to keep plays alive.

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Ryan Fitzpatrick will be no exception on Sunday.

While the weight of history is on the side of the Jaguars, if they don’t show up to play, Fitzpatrick could try and replicate his six-touchdown, 300+ performance against the Tennessee Titans. Sen’Derrick Marks will be a primary defender in trying to stop him and Arian Foster.

Marks is Pro Football Focus’s 14th best defensive tackle or nose tackle so far this season (subscription required). He’s been playing better than that at times, though. From week four to week eight, Marks was utterly dominant, with only the week five game against the Pittsburgh Steelers coming in at somewhat mediocre measurements (two QB hurries, three tackles, two defensive stops). He’s played exceptionally well so far this season, causing six QB hits and 17 hurries throughout the season.

The Jags will have to rely on him having another stellar game after a decent two sack performance against the New York Giants last week.

The Jaguar defense relies heavily on the pressure that is generated from all over the defensive line. Whether it’s Marks, Clemons, or Ryan Davis, the Jaguars have found the right rotation to cause problems for opposing quarterbacks and to disrupt running plays. Marks, however, proves to be the focal point. Without him anchoring the interior defensive line, the linebackers will be unable to make plays and the secondary will be further exposed for what it really is: a liability.

Outside of last week’s game, the Houston Texans have not been a scoring machine. They have only scored 30+ points twice aside from last week, meaning they likely won’t be able to outrun the mediocre scoring offense of the Jaguars, especially if the defense can clamp down, force turnovers, and limit their scoring to more along the lines of weeks one, three, and five when they scored just 17 points (season low of 13 points in week 12 as well).

If Marks can get into the backfield, get to Foster or Fitzpatrick, this could be a long day for the Texans. Marks will be the difference maker for this week and how he plays in week 14 could be a good indicator of how the Jaguars will stack up against the Texans in week 17 as well.

The Jags rely on their defense – especially their defensive line – to keep them in games. Sen’Derrick Marks will dictate whether the Jags stay in contention or not.