JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When it comes to forcing turnovers, it seems it’s pretty much all or nothing for the Jacksonville Jaguars defense.
On Sunday, it was everything.
The unit forced three in Sunday’s 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field, which was one fewer than the total the team had entering the game. After forcing three in the first half of the season opener against Philadelphia, the Jaguars had just one other until forcing two fumbles and picking off Brian Hoyer.
"We talked to our team that they come in bunches and they believed that," coach Gus Bradley said.
Not forcing turnovers has been one reason the offense has struggled this season. Entering Sunday’s game, the Jaguars only began three possessions in their opponents’ territory in the first six games. They did that four times on Sunday, three of which came after turnovers.
The Jaguars took over at the Cleveland 25-yard line after rookie linebacker Telvin Smith sacked Hoyer and forced him to fumble. Linebacker Paul Posluszny recovered and that resulted in a field goal.
The Jaguars got the ball at the Cleveland 8 after Jordan Poyer muffed a punt off his facemask. Linebacker LaRoy Reynolds recovered and Denard Robinson scored on the following play to give the Jaguars a 17-6 lead.
Smith intercepted Hoyer on the Browns’ next possession and returned the ball to the Cleveland 7. Storm Johnson scored two plays later for a 24-6 lead.
"Turnovers are huge," defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks said. "We understand we have a young offense. We’ve got a lot of guys over there maybe still trying to find their way and maybe adjusting to the game plan. Our job on defense -- we’ve got a lot of vets on defense -- is to get them the ball. Get great field position to get them a short field, give them another opportunity."
The offense capitalized with 17 points, which helped overcome a three-interception day by rookie quarterback Blake Bortles.
"I can’t turn the ball over but it’s something that’s going to happen," Bortles said. "I have to continue to grow and learn from it. But like I said, when those guys are out there -- Poz [Posluszny] and Clem [Chris Clemons] and Red [Bryant] all those guys are making plays -- that’s fun to watch. It really is.
"It’s exciting to see me struggle personally and put them in tough situations and they play really well."
