3 Things The Jacksonville Jaguars Must Improve After Their Bye Week

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-2 and sit atop the AFC South but still have some work to do. After a bye week in which three AFC South teams lost, Jacksonville holds a two-and-a-half-game lead in the division. They will look to strengthen their position atop the standings when the Indianapolis Colts visit for a divisional matchup. Here are three things to watch as the Jaguars return from their bye:

Need More Pass-Rush From Hines-Allen and Walker

The Jaguars’ edge-rushing duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have not lived up to expectations thus far. The two have combined for 3.5 sacks, 35 total tackles and one forced fumble.

Jacksonville has the third-ranked scoring defense, allowing 17.3 points per game and ranking first against the run at 72.2 yards allowed per game. Still, the Jaguars’ Achilles’ heel is getting the quarterback on the ground. This season, they are tied for 22nd in the NFL with 11 sacks and recorded only three sacks in their past three games.

The former 2022 number-one overall pick Walker signed a four-year, $110 million extension in April that included $50 million fully guaranteed. Before signing his extension, he recorded 27.5 sacks in four seasons, including double-digit sack totals in 2023 and 2024.

So far this season, however, his production has not lived up to the expectations of his contract. In six games, he has posted 302 total snaps, two sacks, 15 total tackles, 13 quarterback hurries and 21 total pressures.

Hines-Allen also has struggled to consistently produce at his expected level. Across six starts, he has played 303 total snaps and recorded 1.5 sacks, one pass defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 20 total tackles, eight quarterback hits and 17 total pressures.

The two-time Pro Bowler signed a five-year, $141.25 million extension after a career year in 2023, when he registered 17.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, 66 total tackles, and 33 quarterback hits. He has yet to return to that level of dominance, going sackless through five weeks of the season.

Much of the pass-rush struggle can be attributed to defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s emphasis on stopping the run on first and second downs. Jacksonville has not allowed a 75-yard rusher for 23 consecutive games.

The unit’s dominance against the run has hindered its effect in rushing the passer. Jacksonville finished last season 27th in total sacks with 32. In the weeks ahead, they will face three offenses—the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants–that rank among the NFL’s bottom 15 in sacks allowed. Could they finally bring it all together in the coming weeks?

More Targets Ahead For Brian Thomas Jr.

Trade speculation continues to swirl around third-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. After a Week Six performance against the Houston Texans that saw him benched for the entire second half after two critical drops, rumors intensified during the Jaguars’ bye week.

Thomas is a 6-foot-2, 209-pound wide receiver who has world-class speed for his size and poses a threat to defenses. His measurables have not matched his production this season. With his combination of size and speed, he plays a major role in the Jacksonville wide receiver corps, which features Jakobi Meyers, Josh Cameron, and Parker Washington. That is because of his ability to stretch defenses with his vertical speed. The issues are his dropped passes and his lack of targets thus far.

This season, he has three drops, nine receptions on 20 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. In the Jaguars’ last two games, he has five targets for no receptions, yards, or touchdowns. Head coach Liam Coen emphasized the need to put Thomas in better positions to make plays and is excited for what he has in store for the weeks ahead.

“Every week you have to get new people stepping up and making plays, and [Brian Thomas Jr.] is no different,” Coen said. “He’s going to be able to help us make plays this week. We’re going to continue to support him and put our arm around him and continue to do what we have to do to make plays on Sundays and continue to put him in the best position to do so.”

Halfway through his third season, Thomas looks to recapture the success of his rookie season in 2024. The Jaguars are positioning themselves to compete for a Super Bowl, and Thomas’ athletic ability makes him a huge contributor to the offense. That said, he has to be more consistent and reliable if Jacksonville hopes to reach its potential. 

Walker Little Takes Over At Left Tackle

Jacksonville lost starting left tackle Anton Harrison to a torn ACL in Week Five against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since then, he has been replaced by six-year veteran Walker Little at left tackle. Little, a former 2021 second-round pick of Jacksonville, has played multiple positions along the offensive line during his tenure.

In 2024, he signed a three-year, $45 million extension to be the franchise’s premier left tackle. After not performing well in 2025, he has bounced back nicely in Harrison’s absence, allowing no sacks or quarterback hits and just two total pressures over two games.

Having spent time as a reserve offensive lineman, Little credited his experience and observing other linemen with helping him take full advantage of this opportunity.

“I’ve learned a lot over my career, and watched guys that have been in my position as that sixth offensive lineman and how they stayed ready for the moment,” Little said. “Having played in a lot of games, it lets you refine what you need to do during practice, so when your number is called, you can jump in and flow with the offense.”

He acknowledges that replacing Harrison is a different role compared to some he played previously:

“It’s a different role than filling in mid-game for a short stint, knowing it’s going to be long term. But luckily, I’ve been able to do this in the past, play long stretches of games. It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, but it’s different than filling in just for a game or mid-game,” Little said.

Jacksonville ranks eighth in the NFL in scoring, averaging 25.7 points per game, while placing 18th in rushing offense at 112.8 yards per game. The Jaguars are tied for the seventh-fewest sacks in the NFL with ten. Over their past three games, they surrendered six sacks after only allowing four in the first three games of the season.

Before Harrison’s injury, he logged 281 snaps, allowing two sacks, three penalties, four quarterback hits, and 13 total pressures. Little will play an intricate role on Jacksonville’s line, protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side as he fills in for Harrison. Despite the woes, Little believes he has only gotten better throughout his career.  

“I’ve gotten better across the board,” Little said. “But more than anything, I’m just trying to be a leader on the team, a good teammate, someone my coaches and teammates can rely on. That’s what I’m most proud of in my career so far.”

End Of My Jacksonville Jaguars Rant

At this point in the season, the Jaguars are looking to build on last year’s 13-win season and secure back-to-back playoff appearances, something they haven’t done since 1998 and 1999. At 4-2, Jacksonville is in prime position to strengthen its hold on the AFC South with a victory over the Colts, which would put them at 5-2. But to do so, they must generate pressure on the quarterback, feed Brian Thomas Jr. the ball, and protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side.