Jacksonville Jaguars must win the turnover battle
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to improve in the turnover battle if they hope to win going forward.
Since Gus Bradley debuted as head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013 he has brought an unmatchable amount of energy and optimism to the team. Coming from the Seattle Seahawks, Bradley saw his defense rank fifth in 2011 with a turnover margin of +8. In 2012 his team ranked fifth with a +13 turnover margin.
Sad to say this stat hasn’t exactly transferred over to the Jags. During Bradley’s tenure, the team has never cracked above 23rd in the league. This includes a declining 2015 that saw the team finishing 29th with a -10 turnover margin.
The negative turnover margin can be linked to quarterback Blake Bortles‘ interceptions and random fumbles here and there. But I’d like to think it is a reflection of the defense’s inability to cause turnovers. Yes, there were explosive defensive plays last year but they came few and far between.
Bradley knows what he’s doing on defense, he proved it in Seattle. The last few years haven’t been an accurate representation of his scheme. A big reason the turnover margin can finally start to turnaround this season is because of the recent defensive additions from the off season.
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The new Jags this season –
, Tashuan Gibson,
and defensive rookies Dante Fowler Jr, Jalen Ramsey, Miles Jack, Sheldon Day, and Yannick Ngakoue – are a force. Be patient, because the younger rookies might need time to adjust to the NFL environment. However, they have the ability to breathe new life in the defense and add that fierce edge it has been missing.
Due to the upgraded talent on defense this season, the turnover margin should increase significantly. More favorable turnovers mean more possessions and better opportunities for Bortles and company to light up the score board.
Whether you take statistics seriously or with a grain of salt, there is one thing that is certain. In order for the Jags to start winning consistently in 2016, they need to win the turnover battle.