Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Stat of the Week: Jags tops in red zone D

Every Thursday I’ll present an interesting (to me, anyway) stat, break it down, and try to provide some context heading into the game the following weekend.

Red means stop

After a shaky start in the first four weeks the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense has played solid football, especially inside the red zone.

The Jaguars have allowed teams to score 16 touchdowns in the red zone, which is the third-fewest total in the league. According to ESPN Stats & Information the Jaguars lead the NFL in red zone efficiency defense (the percentage of times opponents score a touchdown upon reaching the red zone) at 39 percent (16 touchdowns in 41 possessions).

Only five teams have allowed fewer red zone touchdowns: Arizona (13), St Louis (14), Kansas City (15), Cleveland (15), and Buffalo (15).

The Jaguars were actually among the worst teams in red zone efficiency defense through the first three weeks of the season. They gave up eight touchdowns, four in Week 2 against Washington and four in Week 3 against Indianapolis. Since then, however, the Jaguars have given up just eight red zone touchdowns in eight games. Only once have they allowed more than one in a game: Cincinnati scored three in Week 9.

The defense's stoutness in the red zone will be tested on Sunday. The New York Giants are tied for fourth in red zone efficiency offense. They've scored 26 touchdowns on 30 possessions (66.7 percent). Only four teams have scored more red zone touchdowns: New England (30), Denver (29), Green Bay (28), and Miami (27).

^ Back to Top ^