Jacksonville’s defense failed to sack Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix during Sunday’s 20-13 loss, managing just three quarterback hits and allowing Nix to operate with little pressure late in the game. The Jaguars were unable to stop Denver from erasing a 10-point deficit in the third quarter, raising concerns about their pass rush after a promising opener.
In Week 1, Jacksonville recorded five sacks and eight quarterback hits against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen each contributing 1.5 sacks. But that momentum disappeared quickly. Against Denver, Nix completed 16 of 18 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown when Jacksonville rushed four or fewer defenders, according to ESPN Research. When the Jaguars sent at least five rushers, Nix completed only six of 13 passes for 83 yards with one interception.
Jacksonville’s coach Liam Coen acknowledged the risk of becoming more aggressive with blitzes, noting that Denver adjusted their protections after recognizing some of Jacksonville’s pressure looks before the snap. Coen also credited the Broncos’ offensive line and their use of play-action and bootlegs to move Nix around effectively.
The Jaguars’ struggles bring back memories of last season. Despite finishing third in the NFL in pressures in 2025, Jacksonville ranked only 27th in sacks overall. Their issues surfaced during the wild-card playoff loss to Buffalo, when they managed just one sack of Josh Allen and failed to hit him in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun said fixing the problem requires more than just improved performances from the edge rushers. He pointed out that better execution on early downs could create longer third-down situations, allowing the defensive front to attack more aggressively.
Jacksonville’s upcoming schedule presents a stern test. The Jaguars will face quarterbacks Drake Maye, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and C.J. Stroud over the next four weeks. If they cannot pressure opposing quarterbacks consistently without relying heavily on blitzes, Sunday’s performance could signal deeper issues.
The Jaguars’ failure to generate a meaningful pass rush against Denver puts additional pressure on their defense as they try to hold off some of the league’s top offenses in the weeks ahead.
According to Yahoo Sports.