Despite having some big names on the defensive line, the Jacksonville Jaguars have struggled all season to bring the opposing quarterback down. Even after signing edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen to a five-year, $150 million contract in April of 2024, the Jags have seen a steady decline in performance from the fan-favorite. He went from a 17.5 sack season in 2023 to eight sacks in 2024. This year, he's looking to hit four, if he's lucky.
Before that, defensive end Travon Walker was drafted No. 1 overall in 2022, with then-general manager taking him over Aiden Hutchinson. While Walker might be one of the best players on the defense, he doesn't disrupt the game nearly as much as Hutchinson, who just signed a four-year, $180 million extension with Detroit. Hutchinson has 10 more sacks than Walker despite playing 10 fewer games. I was about to argue that Walker might be the better run stopper, but Hutchinson also has seven more tackles for a loss, so...
Sure, general manager James Gladstone has tried to bolster the D-line, but it hasn't worked. Overall, the big names aren't getting the big numbers, and it's even more apparent this year, where former Jaguar and current New England Patriot K'lavon Chaisson has 6.5 sacks, whereas Hines-Allen and Walker have combined for four.
Four...
Related: Predicting Jaguars' next three game after devastating loss to the Texans
The Los Angeles Chargers might jump-start the pass rush
Despite the ugly loss in Houston, the Jaguars managed to bring down Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills twice. Add in three quarterback hits and eight tackles for a loss, and the numbers aren't as low as they'd been in games prior. They're still not great, as Mills threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns—and ran one in. He looked more like Patrick Maholmes in the fourth quarter than a backup.
Now, with their backs to the wall and the spotlight on them, the front seven host a Chargers team that is tied for third-worst in sacks allowed (34). The guys protecting quarterback Justin Herbert are more like a sieve than an offensive line, and No. 10 has spent much of the season running for his life.
The problem is that he's done a pretty good job of running. Not only is he second in the league in passing (2,610 yards, shockingly behind only Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones), he's also the league leader in quarterback rushing yards with 324. Just chasing him around the backfield won't be enough; Jacksonville is going to have to put him on his back, and they're going to have to do it multiple times if they hope to win.
Final thoughts
Jacksonville's big men have struggled on both sides of the line, though it's the high-paid names on defense that perhaps need to step up the most. They enter Week 11 with a league-worst 12 sacks. Facing a team that's given up 34 might be just what they need to finally find their footing.