Jaguars' Josh Allen, Darious Williams Among Highest-Graded Defenders in Week 4

The Jaguars had two standout performers in Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons.

The Jacksonville Jaguars got a much-needed win in Week 4, toppling the Atlanta Falcons 23-7 in large part due to a pair of standout performances on defense.

Outside linebacker Josh Allen and cornerback Darious Williams each turned in dominant games in Week 4, earning both a spot among Pro Football Focus' top-graded defenders for all of Week 4.

Highest-graded defenders in Week 4 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ay0vHWslBU

— PFF (@PFF) October 3, 2023

Allen recorded three sacks, two tackles for loss and five pressures, bringing his 2023 sack total to 6.0. Allen is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with T.J. Watt and Khalil Mack.

Allen became the fifth player since 2000 with 3+ sacks in two of his team’s first four games in a season. His 6.0 sacks are the most by a Jaguars player in the first four games of a season in franchise history. 

"For me, it's a week-by-week basis. First and foremost, I've got to take care of my body. I've got to make sure that my body is where I can compete at a high level. When you're playing in the league, every week your body is going to be dealing with something, so it's how well can I maintain that and not have setbacks, so that's first and foremost, and nutrition," Allen said on Sunday. 

"I make sure to eat right, make sure to study accordingly, know who I'm going against, know their weaknesses, know their strengths, and execute those in practice, and it starts in practice. I think the preparation all week has been on point, not only for myself but for the defense as a whole, communicate, run to the ball, do the little things we've always done, and for me, just got to keep going, keep studying, keep putting time in, keep getting your body right and just keep going."

Williams was targeted four times on Sunday, allowing one catch for 10 yards and recording an interception, two pass breakups, and a 0.0 passer rating when targeted. 

Williams recorded a 61-yard interception returned for a touchdown, which was his first career interception return in the regular season. Williams’ pick six is the third-longest interception returned for a touchdown in franchise history. 

"Right, that's what our defense is. We know what we can be. Last week obviously wasn't our week, but those are the type of plays that we have liked from the guys on this team, so we expect those plays," Williams said.