SANTA CLARA, Calif. – They defensive momentum-changers keep coming and coming.
And that’s very good for the Jaguars.
The Jaguars on Sunday beat the San Francisco 49ers, 26-21. There were many reasons for the victory, but the biggest was clear: 4 takeaways by a defense that has shown a season-defining knack in the area just one season after being one of the worst turnover-producing NFL teams in recent memory.
“Right now, it’s coming in bunches, which is awesome,” Head Coach Liam Coen said.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd on Sunday registered two interceptions, his second and third of the season, with those 2 takeaways altering the game’s momentum and leading to 10 points. Safety Andrew Wingard also recovered a first-half fumble that led directly to a touchdown.
“We’re very opportunistic,” Lloyd said. “We have a lot of ballhawks on the defense. The ball’s always on our mind. It starts up front, and I think everybody just capitalizes on the opportunities that we have.”
The Jaguars, who forced just 9 turnovers last season – including just 8 on defense – forced 3 takeaways in each of the first three games and entered Sunday leading the NFL in the category.
“It starts with practice,” Lloyd said. “We always practice taking the ball away, punching the ball out, catching the ball. Everybody always has the ball on their mind. Whenever you’re thinking about it all the time, naturally, those plays and those opportunities, you’ll be ready for them whenever they present themselves.”