
The Jacksonville Jaguars have turned stopping the run into a defining strength of their 2026 season, and their remarkable start could create serious problems for the Houston Texans in Sunday's AFC South matchup.
Through five games, Jacksonville has not allowed a single opposing player to rush for 40 yards in a game. According to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports, the Jaguars are the first team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to accomplish that feat.
The numbers behind the streak are just as impressive. Opposing running backs have combined for only 210 yards on 83 carries against Jacksonville, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman came closest to breaking the 40-yard mark, finishing with 39 rushing yards.
Jacksonville's dominance also extends beyond the opening five games. The Jaguars have gone 23 consecutive games, including last season's playoff game, without allowing an opposing player to rush for 75 yards. Last season, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor led Jacksonville's opponents with 74 rushing yards in a single game.
Jacksonville's achievement is particularly notable because it reflects consistent production across multiple games rather than one dominant defensive performance. Opponents have struggled to establish their running games, limiting their ability to use the ground attack to control possession and create more manageable passing situations.
That consistency could become a significant advantage against Houston. The Texans entered Week 6 ranked 31st in the NFL with 395 rushing yards, and the matchup therefore pits one of the league's most effective run defenses against an offense that has struggled to generate production on the ground.
Houston will need to find ways to challenge Jacksonville's defensive front without allowing the Jaguars to dictate the terms of the game. If the Texans cannot establish a credible rushing threat, their offense could become more predictable and put additional pressure on the passing game.
For Jacksonville, the priority will be maintaining the discipline that has defined its opening five games. The historical streak is impressive, but its real value lies in helping the team control opponents and force them away from their preferred offensive approach.
Sunday's matchup offers the Jaguars an opportunity to demonstrate that their run defense can continue setting the tone against a divisional opponent. If Houston cannot find a solution, Jacksonville's defensive strength could become one of the defining factors in the AFC South race.
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