Jaguars catching turnover fever: Six takeaways in two games match total in first 11 in 2021

Last year it took the Jaguars 11 games to collect six turnovers and five interceptions.

They’re sitting on both numbers through two weeks after Sunday’s 24-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field, and sitting atop the NFL in turnover margin through two weeks at plus-five.

Safeties Rayshawn Jenkins, Andre Cisco and rookie linebacker Devin Lloyd intercepted Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, with Jenkins’ pick on the first possession of the game paving the way for the Jaguars to take a lead they would never surrender.

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The picks by Cisco and Lloyd came in the fourth quarter to help keep Indianapolis out of the end zone for the team's eighth shutout in franchise history — and the third in six seasons against the Colts.

Cornerback Tyson Campbell and rookie outside linebacker Travon Walker had interceptions in the season opener at Washington and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun had a fumble recovery.

The Jaguars very nearly had a fumble recovery against the Colts, with Josh Allen forcing the ball out of Ryan’s hands on a sack in the first quarter.

Nyheim Hines of the Colts pounced on it after Jags tackle DaVon Hamilton had the best chance at the ball.

“From my experience, that’s kind of how it goes once it starts,” Cisco said Monday of turnovers being contagious. “It just takes one person to kind of break and then they start flooding in. We have that type of personnel, a bunch of guys like that so you expect it to happen.”

The defensive performance also was the product in a concerted effort to communicate better on the field after the secondary yielded four TD passes to Washington quarterback Carson Wentz.

"I stepped it up in practice," said Cisco, who as one of the safeties is often responsible for directing traffic as plays unfold. "We weren't horrible last game but it was some critical moments when we didn't get it across. So we talked about eye contact every play and carried it out."

The Jags didn’t have a single turnover in their first two games last season and had only one through five games. Campbell’s interception against Atlanta came on Nov. 28, three days after Thanksgiving was the sixth turnover of the season and the Jags had only one in the next five games.

Now they're tied for first in the NFL in interceptions and are second in total turnovers forced. The Jags are the only team with five players getting one pick.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson came defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell credit for a defensive game plan that harassed Ryan with five sacks (giving them six for the season) and 11 quarterback hits.

The pass rush helped produce numerous off-balance and off-target throws from Ryan, leading to not only the three picks but eight other passes defensed.

“It ultimately comes down to players making plays and being in the right positions,” Pederson said. “The preparation during the week is what stood out to me but Mike having that plan and putting that plan together and executing that was really good.”

Cisco said Sunday was a good example of complementary defense: the secondary covered to give the pass rushers time to get to Ryan and the pass rushers forced him into throws that were easily picked off.

“We just watched it on film,” Cisco said of a meeting he attended before coming to his media availability. “Every time there was a big play on the ball, it was because of the pressure up front.”

Cisco said Campbell came up to him after his interception and hinted that the turnover race among the Jaguars defenders is about to get intense.

“Tyson said, ‘are we in a race now?’” Cisco said. “That’s kind of how we see ourselves … a defense that takes the ball away.”

Jaguars to honor Boselli

The Jaguars will honor offensive tackle Tony Boselli for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during halftime of their Oct. 9 home game against Houston at TIAA Bank Field.

Boselli became the first Jaguar player to be enshrined at Canton in August. Hall of Fame president Jim Porter and Jaguars owner Shad Khan will present Boselli with his Hall of Fame ring at the Texans game.

The weekend will also be the premiere of “71,” a documentary about Boselli’s life by the Jaguars production department. Members of the Jaguars Founders Class and season ticket-holders since 1995 will receive an e-mailed invitation for a free screening of the film.

The Jaguars also will welcome back nearly 100 former players as part of Legends Weekend. The team will host a series of events for the former players, including a screening of “71.”

Contact Garry Smits at gsmits@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @GSmitter

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Turnover bug: Jaguars accomplish in two games what it took 11 in 2021