Week Three Game Preview: New England Patriots vs Jacksonville Jaguars

INTRODUCTION TO THE JAGUARS DEFENSE

Sep 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jared Odrick (75) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) causing him to lose the ball during the second half of an NFL football game at EverBank Field. The Jacksonville Jaguars won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars defense is basically €œ”Seattle-lite”€. Head coach Gus Bradley was the architect in Seattle and brought his aggressive 4-3/3-4 hybrid defense with the cover-3/man mix in the secondary to northern Florida. The problem for the past two seasons has been the talent, not the scheme.

On the defensive line veteran Chris Clemons came over with Bradley and plays the same outside pass rush role that Cliff Avril fills in Seattle. Opposite him is former Dolphins tackle Jared Odrick who was moved to end and has been dynamic so far in 2015 at his new position with his new team. Second year end Chris Smith comes in on passing downs to inject a speed rush. He has 2 quarterback hits, 3 hurries, and a batted pass despite playing just 60 snaps in the first two games (per PFF).

Tyson Alualu anchors the interior and big bodies Roy Miller and Abry Jones usually fill in on rushing downs. If New England’s offense continues their pass-heavy formations and personnel this week neither will get much time on the field. Instead, look for Odrick to move inside to attack the young offensive line while Smith gets more playing time on the edge.

Aug 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Greg Salas (18) dives for extra yardage as Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) tackles in the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguar linebackers have developed into an impressive group. Former Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny plays the role of Bobby Wagner at inside linebacker in the scheme. He has been impressive in zone coverage and eating up running backs.

Second year linebacker Telvin Smith has impressed this year after an up-and-down rookie season and was a force blitzing the quarterback and makes plays against the running game. Former 49ers linebacker Dan Skuta has been solid as a pass rusher (think of Bruce Irvin‘s role in Seattle).

With the secondary banged up, the Jaguars are shuffling players. Davon House is no Richard Sherman, but he has been solid since coming over from Green Bay as a free agent. He looks the role as he is long and strong. Aaron Colvin is similar to New England cornerback Tarell Brown as he will play outside and move inside to cover the slot receiver in the sub-packages.

John Cyprien–if healthy–quarterbacks the secondary and the Jaguars had Rob Gronkowski‘s old friend Sergio Brown at free safety. Brown struggled last week at strong safety when Cyprien did not play so he moved back to free safety and rookie James Sample came in at strong safety.

With New England expected to attack the Jaguars with a spread offense, expect to see third cornerback Demetrius McCray on the outside and Colvin inside.

Next: PATRIOTS MATCHUPS VS JAX DEFENSE