Yannick Ngakoue continues production, pulls even with Dante Fowler Jr.
By Luke Sims
Yannick Ngakoue is having a fine rookie season, pulling even with Dante Fowler Jr. after getting his second sack in Week 3.
The friendly rivalry budding between pass rushers Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr. is still neck and neck.
Entering the Week 3 game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pass rushers were separated by one sack (Fowler led two to one). Now, after getting to Joe Flacco once in the game, Ngakoue pulls even.
The big story of the Week 3 game was the close 19-17 loss. It’s a painful pill to swallow and the calls for head coach Gus Bradley’s job only get louder as a result. But it would be a shame to have the pass rushing improvements lost amid all of that hullabaloo.
The pass rush hasn’t been perfect (far from it) but the Jaguars desperately need growth from the two guys at the top of the depth chart: Ngakoue and Fowler. Both players have to deliver in games.
In the Week 2 blowout against the San Diego Chargers, the surprisingly strong performance from both players (three sacks) was washed out by the despondent feeling in the wake of the loss. In Week 3, the accomplishment of Ngakoue (his second strip sack of the season) should be acknowledged.
Must Read: 5 head coaches who could do better than Bradley with current Jags talent
Believe it or not, but the Jaguars do have a pass rush that looks like some semblance of the successful pass rushes other teams have. All the pieces haven’t come together, but Ngakoue took another step forward against the Ravens. He’s creating plays for the defense, which should help keep the Jaguars in more games.