The Jaguars are counting on the experience of first-year head coach Liam Coen to stifle the Houston Texans‘ defense. Having worked with Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams coaching staff, Coen will be calling on that experience in game-planning to deal with one of the NFL’s most difficult pass-rushing attacks. Coen appears determined to give Jacksonville a dominant edge in Sunday’s battle. 

Speaking to reporters at his press conference, Coen suggested he has a plan for them. “Obviously, being in that division in LA with San Francisco, very similar structure, the way they come off the rock, the way they want to disrupt…we have got to have another sound plan when it comes to protecting the quarterback,” he said.

He went on to recommend using the run game and screen passes to combat the pass rush of Houston. “So in the run game, you know, manufacturing different ways to manipulate those guys, like I said, it takes all eleven, but specifically the way they want to roll off and come off the rock and play. Talented, got a lot of respect the way those guys played the game, and can be very disruptive.”

Coen’s experience facing DeMeco Ryans’ 49ers defenses during his Rams tenure now benefits Jacksonville. Having studied how Ryans’ system transitioned from San Francisco to Houston, Coen can anticipate defensive concepts and prepare countermeasures in advance. The firsthand knowledge of Ryans’ defensive evolution gives the Jaguars a strategic advantage in game planning.

Coen’s San Francisco reference stems from his Rams tenure, where he schemed against the 49ers’ wide-nine pass rush and dominant front seven. Jacksonville plans to deploy similar concepts against Houston, featuring increased touches for RB Travis Etienne Jr. and motion packages for WR Brian Thomas Jr. (if healthy) to exploit favorable matchups.

Coen’s extensive experience with the Rams speaks well for his eye. He spent four seasons with the franchise across two stints: as assistant wide receivers coach from 2018 to 2019, assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020, and later as offensive coordinator in 2022. During that period, Coen learned to attack elite defenses, develop layered route concepts, and deploy motion-heavy looks to keep defenses off balance.

That mentality matters because Ryans has established a speed, disruption, and solid tackling-based defense in Houston — tenets formed during his time as 49ers. Coen has seen that film already. However, the 49ers dominated the Rams; in the last 10 years, San Francisco leads the head-to-head with 12 -6. But Coen would want to avoid that in the upcoming matchup.

Liam Coen’s test

Sunday’s matchup features two AFC South teams at junctures in their seasons. Jacksonville (1-1) is trying to respond to a 31-27 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Houston (0-2) is desperate for its first victory of the season. Historically, the Texans have led this series, leading 31-15 overall. 

The Texans arrive in Jacksonville with a defense that has allowed only one touchdown in its first two games, making things even more difficult for Coen. The Jaguars will be looking to their two-way standout Travis Hunter, who played in a staggering 85 snaps against Cincinnati, 42 on offense and 43 on defense. With receiver Brian Thomas Jr. rehabbing a sprained wrist and cornerback Jarrian Jones returning from back spasms. There is a possibility that Hunter will be part of more snaps than he has taken so far.

Hunter’s versatility might again be a game-saver. “We haven’t necessarily said, ‘OK, there’s a number that he can’t go to yet,'” Coen said.”Whether that occurs, and he goes over that number this week, who knows? But I think we’re just going to be open to seeing where it goes.”

By embracing the Los Angeles lessons, Coen is showing that his experience with the Rams was not just a stepping stone; it was a master class in how to go at the very best defenses.