The Jaguars gave Travis Hunter a big increase in usage this week, and the second-year star responded with his first career interception in Jacksonville's 35-6 beatdown of the New England Patriots.
Travis Hunter is one of the Jacksonville Jaguars best and most important players.
For the first time this season, the coaching staff seemed to realize it.
Through the team's first two games, Hunter only saw the field for a total of 10 offensive snaps. While everyone knew Jacksonville planned on limiting his time on offense, the decrease was more extreme than anyone expected.
Even more surprising was Hunter's lack of playing time on defense. The Jaguars planned on making Hunter a full-time cornerback this season, but he was left on the sideline for over 40% of the team's defensive snaps through the first two games.
Hunter was one of the most special and unique players to come into the league in a long time due to his All-Pro talent and ability to be both a full-time wide receiver and a full-time cornerback.
So far this season, he had been neither.
Hunter's lack of playing time over the first two games caused an uproar, with fans and even Hunter's college coach, Deion Sanders, expressing their frustration and confusion.
Things finally changed on Sunday in Jacksonville's 35-6 demolition of the New England Patriots, last year's AFC champions.
While Hunter still only saw five snaps at wide receiver, he was finally given (almost) the workload of a CB1. The second-year phenom played a season-high 45 of the team's 60 defensive snaps (75%).
Made The Most Of His Increased Usage
Hunter made the most of his increased usage against the Patriots. He was able to record his first career interception. Not only did he make an impressive leaping play on the ball, but the pick came at a critical moment in the game.
With Jacksonville up 14-3 and only about a minute left in the first half, the Patriots had a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Hunter went up to snag Drake Maye's pass, keeping New England out of the end zone and preserving his team's 11-point lead.
Had New England scored to make it 14-10 right before halftime, it would have been a huge momentum swing heading into the break. Who knows how the game would have turned out if not for Hunter's interception.
Hunter's impact wasn't limited to the interception. He was solid in coverage as well. Hunter was targeted in coverage six times, allowing only three receptions. He finished the game with four total tackles, one pass break-up, and the crucial interception.
Final Thoughts
This is the kind of cornerback play the Jaguars envisioned when drafting Hunter second overall last year. He was sticky in coverage, and his elite ball-hawking skills were on full display.
Which is why seeing him kept off the field so often in Jacksonville's first two contests was so frustrating. Hunter can wreck a game on either side of the ball, or both. It was only a matter of time before he made a game-changing play.
Now that his first interception is in the books, it wouldn't be surprising if he got a handful more the rest of the season.
Hunter was finally given a chance to show what he can do at corner, and he did not disappoint. Hunter also proved that the more he is on the field, the more good things will happen.
