The Jacksonville Jaguars put up a good fight but ultimately weren't able to beat the Denver Broncos in Week 2. One big reason for their disappointing loss was that their pass rush couldn't rattle Bo Nix; the Jacksonville defensive tackle group, in particular, left much to be desired.
Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, Ruke Orhorhoro, Matt Dickerson, and Albert Regis had a combined two pressures in the loss to the Broncos. You know things are bad when Antonio Johnson, a safety, led the team with two total pressures.
Sure, Travon Walker and linebacker Dennis Gardeck also had two pressures each, but the point is that the Jaguars will need their defensive tackles to wreak havoc if they don't want the New England Patriots to leave EverBank Stadium with a win in Week 3.
The Jaguars need better production from their defensive tackles vs. the Patriots
Liam Coen liked some of the things the defensive tackles did in Week 2 but told the local media Wednesday that the Jaguars need more from the group moving forward.
"I think obviously when we've moved Travon inside, he's done some of the good things on the known passing downs. Expect Arik to be able to come on for us a little bit more too this week and continue to give us some more reps inside," Coen told the press corps (10:26 mark). "I think being able to get Regis some reps, and Ruk had some good rushes the other day. We just didn't end up finishing at the point of attack, but all that crew-it's a collective effort, and definitely expect to see more."
It didn't help that DaVon Hamilton left the Week 2 game, but it's concerning that the rest of the group wasn't able to step up.
Keep in mind that defensive tackle was seemingly the team's biggest need in the offseason, but rather than take a swing, Jacksonville traded for Ruke Orhorhoro one week before the draft and later took Albert Regis in Round 3. Thus far, neither has had an impact, and looking back, Jacksonville might not have done enough to address the position.
You may also like: Brian Thomas Jr.'s struggles may leave the Jags with no choice but to pay Parker Washington
Defensive tackle could be the Jaguars' X-factor vs. the Patriots
The Patriots have done a good job of protecting Drake Maye thus far, giving up just one sack and 22 total pressures in two weeks. That puts additional pressure on the Jaguars to bring the heat from the interior. Of course, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker also need to step up.
Hines-Allen and Walker combined for three sacks in the opener, but had none in Week 2. The good news is that New England will be without right guard Mike Onwenu after placing him on the Injured Reserve list, but it won't matter if the Jaguars cannot create disruption on the interior.
The Jaguars are a 2.5 favorite heading into Week 3. But if they lose and the interior pass rush once again leaves much to be desired, concerns about the defensive tackle position will only get louder.
Add us as a preferred source on Google