Jacksonville Jaguars Have the Best Run Defense in the AFC South

For the past week or so, I've been ranking position groups in the AFC South. As I switch to the defensive side of the ball, the task gets more complicated.

The Houston Texans run a 3-4 and the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans run a 4-3. The Indianapolis Colts will be running a hybrid scheme.

It's difficult—and ultimately irrelevant—to rank defensive lines and linebackers without taking the scheme differences into account. Because of that, I'm going to rank the teams based on their pass rush and their run defense rather than on their lines and linebackers.

It's time to rank the run defense.

1. Jaguars

In 2011, the Jaguars were great at one of the least important overall phases of play: run stopping. They had a top-five DVOA and held opposing runners under four yards a carry. Part of this is due to the strong play of Terrance Knighton and a revamped linebacking corps. Supporters of Tyson Alualu point to his strong run defense as a selling point, but I would still like to see more sacks from him.

2. Texans

The Texans were right behind the Jaguars in run defense DVOA but allowed a touch more yards a carry. Moving forward, they should continue to be stout against the run, but if they go with defense in the draft, this might improve them enough to lift them to the top spot in these rankings.They were statistically very close to the Jaguars.

3. Titans

The Titans were excellent at stopping runs in power situations, ranking sixth overall. They gave up some big runs, but for the most part dominated the point of attack, also ranking in the top five in runs stuffed for no gain or for losses.

This is actually what I love to see from a run defense. I'd much rather have a run D that gets key stops on short-yardage situations and gives up more ground at other times.

Still, their overall performance was enough short of the Jags and Texans that I'll rank them third. I don't feel great about it, though. Depending on whom they take in the draft, I might vault them over the rest of the division.

4. Colts

The Colts have a new commitment to stopping the run, but they'll have to find a nose tackle before I believe it will be a reality in 2012.