Seahawks vs. Jaguars: Inside the defensive numbers

The Seahawks play the Jaguars on Sunday in a game between two 8-4 teams. Both teams have good defenses. But the offenses can be somewhat limited. Here is a look at the raw numbers.

One of the teams playing between the Seahawks and Jaguars on Sunday has the number one ranked defense, and it isn’t Seattle. Jacksonville leads the NFL in total defense, points allowed and fewest passing yards allowed. They look and play something like the Seahawks of 2013. Their defense is good enough to win a championship.

How do the teams matchup on Sunday?

Points allowed

Seattle: 18.5 per game (Seventh in the NFL)

Jacksonville: 14.8 (First)

The Jaguars are not just first, they are first by a long margin. 2.2 points per game separate Jacksonville from the second-best team, Minnesota. In fact, there is a greater difference between one and two in the NFL than there is between two and ten. Since week six, Jacksonville has allowed more than 17 points in a game just once.

Quarterback rating against

Seattle: 79.9 (Sixth)

Jacksonville: 65.6 (First)

That last number for the Jags is impressive. Seattle’s great defense of 2013 allowed a quarterback rating of 64.7. Jacksonville has two of the highest graded cornerbacks in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Jalen Ramsey is second at 93.8 and A.J. Bouye is sixth at 89.3.

In comparison, Seattle’s highest graded corner is Justin Coleman (22nd) at 83.4. Shaquill Griffin is 58th (75.5).

Third down percentage

Seattle: 39% (14th)

Jacksonville: 34% (Fourth)

For the Seahawks to win on Sunday, their offense must stay on the field and pick up third downs. A close game normally favors the home team. The biggest advantage Seattle has in the game is at quarterback. Russell Wilson is better than Blake Bortles. Wilson will need to use short passes to grind out first downs, though. The Jaguars are good enough to not have to bring blitzes so they can spy Wilson a bit more than other teams. Seattle needs to use the middle of the field. Jimmy Graham could have 13 catches.

Sack percentage

Seattle: 6.84% (13th)

Jacksonville: 10.2% (First)

Calais Campbell is third in the NFL with 12.5 sacks. Yannick Ngakoue is seventh with 10. The top guy in Seattle is Michael Bennett with 7.5 sacks, which ranks 21st.

Jacksonville leads the NFL in sacks with 45. Seattle is 11th with 32.

Here is an interesting statistic, however. Jacksonville at home has a sack percentage of 6.71 percent. This is 18th in the league. Could it be that Wilson would be under pressure more in Seattle than in Jacksonville?

We will find out Sunday.

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