The Jaguars are making the Sacksonville nickname known, as their defense has dominated opponents this season. The Steelers are now more than familiar with this, and much of it is thanks to former Maryland defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
In the divisional round matchup against Pittsburgh, Ngakoue helped extend the Jacksonville lead to 28-7, hitting Ben Roethlisberger from behind and forcing a fumble. Linebacker Telvin Smith then turned it into a scoop-and-score.
SACKSONVILLE ➡️ TD!@Jaguars defense coming up BIG! #JAXvsPIT #NFLPlayoffs
????: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/vtJpv95oMx
— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2018
Ngakoue has been a force along the Jags defensive line since coming out of Maryland two years ago. In his second season with the Jags, the former Terp improved on an already impressive rookie year, piling up 30 tackles, 12 sacks and six forced fumbles.
Now in his first postseason, Ngakoue has looked to step up his play. With the Jaguars taking a 28-14 lead into the locker room, Ngakoue’s strip sack has proved to be a difference maker.