Jaguars OC Press Taylor discusses Texans’ underrated D-Line

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a 7-point favorite ahead of their Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans. The Jags should be able to win their third game of the 2022 season Sunday but they can’t uncork the champagne just yet. One unit they can’t afford to underlook is the Texans’ defensive front.

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor met with the local media Thursday and talked about the challenges that Houston’s defensive line presents.

“I don’t know how it’s rated, I think it’s an underrated defensive line”, Taylor said. “I think those guys, having been in the divison last year playing against them twice and coming out of those games feeling like it’s a talented young pass rush group. And then you had Jerry Huges, who’s had a lot of production lead for a long time. He does a great job”.

“As they roll through guys, the edge players are pretty good. [Jonathan] Greenard does a good job. [Roy] Lopez is a great player, Maliek Collins and all those guys. Then you have Mario Addison potentially back into the mix. I think it was a talented front that does a good job and presents a lot of problems”, Taylor said.

The Texans are far from a powerhouse but their defense rank 17th in points allowed and ninth in passing touchdowns surrendered, so they’re doing something right. Veteran defensive end Jerry Hughes leads the team with four sacks and Rasheem Green is second with two. Moreover, head coach Lovie Smith, who also moonlights as their defensive coordinator, will ask his defensive backs to blitz. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Jalen Pitre already have a sack each this season.

The Jaguars O-Line must put it all together vs. the Texans in Week 5

Although the Jaguars’ offensive line gave up 20 total pressures in the opener, they’ve given Trevor Lawrence much better protection in the last three games. Left tackle Cam Robinson is coming off a dominant performance against the Eagles, in which he posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 84.1, his best of the season.

On the other hand, right tackle Jawaan Taylor had a down game. The former Florida Gator struggled to slow down Eagles edge rusher Hasson Reddick, who forced two fumbles. He must bounce back and keep Greenard from getting to Trevor Lawrence.

Football games are often won or lost in the trenches and the Jaguars’ offensive line must beat the Texans’ defensive front if they want to get back in the win column.