Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans: Friday Fact or Fiction

The Jaguars will produce more than one turnover: FICTION

Speaking of turnovers, that’s something the Jaguars need to do better on defense. Despite all the statistical improvements we saw in 2016 defensively, the Jaguars still allowed an abysmal 25 points per game in 2016.

The main reason why was the lack of takeaways. The Jaguars had the second worst turnover differential in the league last year (-16) and they only forced 13 turnovers, also good for second worst.

There aren’t any more excuses in 2017. The Jaguars have two outstanding cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye and the back end of the secondary should be more solid with the addition of Barry Church and the departure of Johnathan Cyprien at strong safety.

Along the defensive line, the Jaguars should be getting more push with Calais Campbell. In theory, Yannick Ngakoue and Dante Fowler Jr. should be better in their second full season and Malik Jackson is still really good.

Seven interceptions (that’s all they could muster in 2016) is unacceptable. It was then and it is even more so with this roster.

That being said, again, they need to show me.

I laid a lot of the blame on the Jaguars ineptitude over the past few years on head coach Gus Bradley, but there’s no reason to believe Todd Wash is going to make a huge difference as defensive coordinator. If he does, then he can climb out of the mammoth shadow that is Bradley’s milquetoast defensive scheme.

The Jaguars might luck into a turnover thanks to Tom Savage, but I doubt they’ll get more than one takeaway.