Jaguars DE Josh Allen makes history with 10th sack of the season

When the Jaguars selected Josh Allen with their seventh overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, many expected him to provide significant pass rush opposite of Pro Bowl defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Allen has yet to disappoint, and with his 10th sack today he etched his name in franchise — and NFL — record books.

Today, Allen became the only player in franchise history to record double-digit sacks in his rookie season. The previous franchise record for rookie was eight sacks led by defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Allen also joined Ngakoue as the only Jaguars players 22-or-younger to register double-digit sacks in a single season.

This season has been nothing short of remarkable for a player out of Kentucky who was used primary as a stand-up player rusher, but over the past 14 games, Allen has played predominantly with his hand on the ground — something not everyone believed he could do —, along with playing multiple positions along the team’s defensive line becoming one of their most versatile players.

Along with franchise records, Allen put his name in NFL record books after joining Bradley Chubb (2018) and Myles Garrett (2017-2018) as the only players over the last eight seasons to post double-digit sacks and multiple forced fumbles through a player’s first 14 career games.

Leading all rookies, Allen is the sixth rookie in the NFL since 2010 to post double-digit sacks.

Earlier this month, Allen spoke to Big Cat Country and reflected on his “fun” rookie season. While the team has not been winning, Allen has been able to take advantage of the opportunities that have presented themselves. Playing with his counterpart in Ngakoue has given Allen even more joy throughout the season.

“When we play on the field we got the same mentality,” Allen told Big Cat Country. “We [are] trying to win no matter the situation, no matter the play, we try to beat our one on ones for our team.”

Allen and Ngakoue combined for three sacks, five tackles-for-loss, three quarterback hits and a pass defense today in their 20-16 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Keeping the two together should remain a priority for whichever front office is making the final decisions next season.

Allen exited the game for a short period during the third quarter with stinger, but ultimately returned to finish out the game, and played on the team’s final snap as the Jaguars defeated the Raiders in the last game in Oakland ever as the Raiders get set to move to Las Vegas next season.

“We made history,” Allen told reporters after the game on Sunday. “Last game here, they gone always remember that, I’ll let them now that.”