Jaguars OLB Josh Allen: The NFL's sack leader heading into Week 2

On the list of top performers in the NFL, the name Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars undoubtedly stands out. His stellar performance in the season opener against Indianapolis left the entire league in awe.

As we delve into the details of Allen's impressive performance, we'll explore the implications of the three sacks he registered in Week 1, which propelled him to the top of NFL rankings, and the potential for the Jaguars in the upcoming season.

The Rise of Jaguars OLB Josh Allen vs. the Colts in Week 1

Josh Allen, the seventh overall choice in the 2019 draft, has proved himself an indispensable asset for the Jaguars' defense. His hunt for the opposing quarterback, Anthony Richardson, led to a resounding three sacks in the season opener, clearly making a statement. This superb feat also placed him in a formidable position for future contract negotiations.

"It was definitely a great start of what I want to achieve, but there's also room to grow for next week," Allen remarked after the 31-21 victory.

While T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Drake Jackson (San Francisco 49ers) also totaled three sacks in week one, Allen separates himself with his ten combined tackles and three additional tackles for a loss. On top of that, he was dominant against a big, quick, and extremely difficult-to-sack Richardson. That earned him the title of NFL's sack leader through one week and probably the Defensive Player of the Week come Thursday. 

The Jaguars Defensive Duo of Josh Allen and Travon Walker

In the 2022 season, the Jaguars' defense struggled to rack up sacks, finishing tied for 25th in the NFL with 35. In a strategic move, the management decided to rely on Allen and Travon Walker, the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, to improve their defense instead of recruiting new talent. This decision seemed to pay off in the first week, with Allen and Walker making a formidable duo.

"Man, Josh, he was very explosive. He was relentless", Walker said in regards to Allen. "That was the main thing. We came into the game telling each other to be relentless. And with us being relentless, there's no stopping us."

Looking Ahead: Jaguars OLB Josh Allen vs. Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor

As the Jaguars prepare for their next game against the Chiefs, they have an opportunity to establish themselves as a serious contender in the stacked AFC. With their improved defense and promising offense, the Jaguars have the potential to make a significant impact this season.

The Kansas Chiefs lured Jacksonville's right tackle Jawaan Taylor in free agency. In retrospect, it might've been a smart move. Taylor was suspect and a liability in Week 1, giving up a lot of pressures to Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutcheson and a critical false start penalty that cost the Chiefs a shot at winning Thursday night's game. Linking up against Taylor for years in practice, Allen knows how to beat him. 

Josh Allen's matchup against Jawaan Taylor will be critical for the Jaguars to upset the Chiefs. If Allen can get to Patrick Mahomes and throw him off his rhythm, it could change the fortune of the Jaguars. Also, an impressive showing Sunday could solidify his chances of getting a hefty new contract as a pending free agent.

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