Jaguars' pass-rush problems were glaring in loss to Texans - ESPN

HOUSTON — One of the big topics in the Jacksonville Jaguars' facility this week is going to be the pass rush.

Specifically, finding a way put more pressure on quarterbacks — and get them on the ground — without having to resort to blitzing. It has been an issue all season, but it really showed up in the Jaguars' 36-29 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

«That's something we definitely need to talk about as a staff and as a group,» coach Liam Coen said after watching his team blow a 19-point fourth-quarter lead to Houston and backup quarterback Davis Mills. «That hasn't been good enough all season and wasn't good enough [Sunday].

»It's never one group's fault when you lose a game. That's not what we're going to do here, but it definitely is a challenge for us."

The Jaguars did sack Mills twice Sunday, but one of those was safety Antonio Johnson running him out of bounds. In the fourth quarter, however, they didn't record a sack or pressure. That is a big reason the Texans were able to score 26 points and hand the Jaguars their first loss in 65 games in which they had a lead of 18 or more points.

«I mean I was on the headset hearing [defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile] call [plays],» Coen said. «You're a little susceptible in the back end when you blitz, and then when we four-man rush we're not getting home. That's the reality, and that's a hard place as any coach to be in, and players as well at times.

»So we've got to go watch the tape to see exactly every call, but I didn't necessarily think that we were putting these guys in really bad positions. You're kind of trying to hold onto a lead and make them earn it and we let up too many explosive plays."

The Jaguars' 12 sacks are tied for the fewest in the league and