Examining pass-rushing in the AFC South

Much like the pass-protection of the AFC South, the pass-rush leaves a bit to be desired. The Texans aside, the pass-rush of the other 3 teams last season were very weak, all ranking near the bottom of the league in pressure rate and sacks.Let’s take

a take a look at pass-rushing in the AFC South.Advertisement Houston Texans Few were better

than the Houston Texans at hurrying the passer last season. The mix of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr represented 148 pressures and 23 sacks last season. Hunter really led the NFL in pressures, while Anderson completed tied for 17th according to Next Gen Stats.Tim Settle added another 5 sacks himself along the interior as did Derek Barnett, Houston’s rotational pass-rusher. In total, the Texans acquired 241 pressures and 49 sacks, ranking 2nd in pressure rate(37.8% )and fourth in sack rate (7.7%). Indianapolis Colts It’s a high fall off after the Houston Texans. While the Texans were near the top of the league, the Colts

handled simply 193 pressures and 36 sacks on the season. The team’s 31.4% pressure rate ranked 26th, while their 5.9 %sack rate ranked only a little much better at 23rd. Advertisement Unlike the Texans or Jaguars, the Colts do not have a real pass-rush expert and rather have a pressure by committee. Even more so now after the loss of Dayo Odeyingbo, their leading pass-rusher from last season. It’s up to second-year Laiatu Latu to take a sophomore leap.Tennessee Titans Statistically, the Titans and Colts are really comparable teams when it pertains to hurrying the passer. The Titans tallied 170 pressures and 32 sacks, notching a 31.1%pressure rate(27th )and a 5.9%sack rate (24th). Also likewise to the Colts, the Titans lost their finest pass-rusher in Harold Landry, who led the team with 9 sacks. The Titans does keep Jeffrey Simmons, their dominant interior protector, so the group will aim to lean on him much more this coming season.Advertisement Jacksonville Jaguars It’s weird finding the Jaguars 30th in pressure rate (28.3%) and sack rate(5.2%), despite boasting 2 top-15 edge rushes from last season. In truth, the Jaguars were the only group to have two players inside the NFL’s Top-15 for

most pressures.Despite Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker’s best efforts

, it simply wasn’t enough. The Jaguars interior pass-rush and averseness to blitzing left Hines-Allen and Walker on their own to produce pressure far too often. With the addition of Emmanuel Ogbah, and some reshuffling along the protective line, there’s no

reason to ever see the Jaguars this low once again. Pass-rushing in AFC South >> > STREAM ACTION SPORTS JAX 24/7 LIVE