4 reasons the Jaguars can beat the Saints even if Trevor Lawrence doesn't play

2. The Jaguars defense will pick up the slack vs. the Saints in Week 7

The Jaguars defense has come through this season and has given them a chance week in and week out. Although they rank 15th in points allowed and 21st in total yards, they've made it extremely difficult for opponents to reach the end zone. The only time they couldn't keep a team in check was in Week 3, when the Houston Texans scored 37 points.

Leaving points aside, the Jags excel at creating turnovers. They currently lead the league with 15. On top of that, they're adept at stopping the run. Even though they gave up 127 rushing yards to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, they surrendered a combined 73 yards the past two games.

Once opposing teams realize they won't succeed running the ball, they are forced to move the ball through the air but the Jaguars have also shown the ability to bring the heat. Outside linebacker Josh Allen leads the league in total pressures and has already logged as many sacks (seven) as he got last year. With an improved Travon Walker opposite Allen, Buffalo, and the Colts struggled to contain the Jacksonville pass rush the past two weeks.

The icing on the cake is the eventual return of DaVon Hamilton, the Jaguars' best defensive lineman. Ham suffered a non-football injury in the preseason and began the regular season on Injury Reserve. The team activated his 21-day window to return last week and has been a full participant in practice heading into Thursday Night Football. Having him back against the Saints would be huge.