Unexpected Area of Concern Arises for Jaguars After Week 4

The Jacksonville Jaguars got almost everything they wanted in Week 4's win over the San Francisco 49ers. Almost.

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Hunter Long (84) reacts after a first down play during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The final score was a lot closer than they would have liked it to be, but the Jacksonville Jaguars ultimately escaped Week 4 with a road upset over the San Francisco 49ers. This was a highly encouraging win to bring them to 3-1 on the 2025 NFL season, tying them with the Indianapolis Colts at the top of the AFC South standings.

The Jaguars needed a strip-sack fumble recovery to end the Niners' game-winning drive attempt to eke out a five-point victory, but they were dominant in a few different facets. Their defense was obviously impeccable, allowing just 20 points to a typically versatile and creative San Francisco attack, forcing four turnovers from Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.

Jacksonville was far from perfect on the other side of the ball, but they did soundly overpower the 49ers in the trenches, racking up 151 rushing yards on 4.7 per carry and allowing zero sacks on the day. That's great news for a unit that's continually impressed this season, but it's also discouraging in a completely different sense.

Jun 11, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff (47) speaks to the media following a team OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Bryce Huff needs to step up

Earlier this season, when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a sixth-round pick and a conditional fifth, they also inherited the stipulation from Philly's original deal that sent Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers, detailing that the fifth-round selection becomes a fourth if Huff can garner eight sacks in the 2025 campaign.

In Huff's first three games with the Niners, he got two sacks, including a game-winning strip against the New Orleans Saints. However, he was completely neutralized versus the Jaguars, who prevented any sacks on Trevor Lawrence.

When Nick Bosa was ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL tear, it seemed like Huff would easily be able to reach eight sacks as the new starting EDGE for San Francisco. That wasn't the case in Week 4.

The 49ers generated 5 pressures and 0 sacks as a team vs the Jaguars

• Bryce Huff: 2
• Mykel Williams: 1
• Sam Okuayinonu: 1
• Yetur Gross-Matos: 1

It’s the first time this season they did not record a quarterback hit in a game pic.twitter.com/rv5xvhKufs

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 29, 2025

Not only did he not register a single sack or quarterback hit, but he was out-snapped by both Mykel Williams and Sam Okuayinonu on the edge for the Niners' defense. On the bright side, Pro Football Focus did give Huff a higher pass-rush grade than both Williams and Okuayinonu against the Jaguars.

Hopefully, Jacksonville's performance in San Francisco will motivate Head Coach Kyle Shanahan to revisit his new rotation without Bosa and get Huff back on track to give the Jaguars a fourth-round pick next spring.

Follow us on X (Twitter) @JaguarsOnSI and @_John_Shipley to keep track of Bryce Huff's progression this season.

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