Jaguars OLB Josh Allen making plays when it counts, credits teammates for banner year

Outside linebacker Josh Allen came up clutch in Week 12, registering 2.5 sacks, and helping the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Houston Texans 24-21. But besides having a role in the win, Allen accomplished a couple individual feats: He set a new career-best for sacks in a season with 12.0 and became second all-time in team history. After the game, the former first-round pick made sure to credit his teammates for achieving both milestones.

"It's a testament to my teammates, a testament to god, first and foremost," Josh Allen told reporters after the game, via Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL. "All those guys have trusted me that I can get those sacks, so for me, it's great teamwork."

"For me, I want to leave a legacy everywhere that I go man is just one team work for me, to accomplish a feat like that is huge but I play to be top 2 but not two, so for me is to keep going, finish the seasons strong, and go get the next one," Allen said.

Even though C.J. Stroud excels at escaping the pass rush, the Jaguars, and especially Allen, did a good job of bringing the heat Sunday, pressuring him on nearly half his dropbacks. Allen had a career-high 12 total pressures, four quarterback hits, and 1.5 of his 2.5 sacks came with the game on the line.

With 3:01 left to go, Houston had a chance to tie the game. Given their success moving the ball, it seemed like they would be able to get to field-goal range. However, Allen brought Stroud down for a 15-yard loss, with 2:24 on the clock. Three plays later, Allen and Travon Walker would sack the first-year quarterback one more time, this time for a nine-yard loss.

Both plays were critical. Without them, Matt Ammendola would've had a more favorable distance for his field goal attempt. Instead, he kicked it from the 58-yard line, and it came short.

Josh Allen OLB Josh Allen had a career game vs. the Texans

If the Jacksonville Jaguars were unsure about giving Josh Allen a multi-year extension next offseason, Sunday should've put any doubts to rest. It was the fourth time this season he registered multiple sacks in a game.

While Allen had previously played at an elite level for stretches, he wasn't nearly as consistent as he has been in 2023. He would have a few dominant outings and then disappear. This season though, he's routinely wreaked havoc in the trenches despite the fact that he sometimes is the only source of pass rush in Jacksonville.

Allen is now second all-time in the teams with 39.5 sacks, passing Yannick Ngakoue. Tony Brackens is first with 55, so it's fair to say that he could tie and break the record in a couple seasons if he keeps playing the way he has in 2023. With six games to go, he'll also have a chance to tie (and break) Calais Campbell's single-season record of 14.5.

The Jags took a wait-and-see approach with Josh Allen this season. He answered the call, and signing him to a long-term contract should now be one of the team's top priorities in the offseason.

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