Thursday update: “Twenty-six … twenty-six…”

JACKSONVILLE – His focus is on the immediate future, and therefore on a number.

Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell met with the media Thursday morning, discussing a difficult performance this past Sunday – and an equally difficult task when facing the New York Giants at TIAA Bank Field Sunday at 1 p.m.

“Twenty-six,” Caldwell said. “Twenty-six.”

Twenty-six is the number of Giants running back Saquon Barkley – and while there are many reasons the Giants are 5-1 and one of the surprise teams of the 2022 NFL season, Barkley is perhaps the biggest reason they have improved dramatically after finishing 4-13 in 2021.

“He’s a game-changer,” Caldwell said.

Barkley, the No. 2 overall selection by the Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft, rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie but hasn’t played a full season since. He sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Week 2 of the 2020 season, and has returned to his pre-injury form with 616 yards and four touchdowns rushing in six games this season.

“He’s special,” Caldwell said. “He has great vision. He can find a hole when it’s not there and their offensive line is playing well. They’re protecting the quarterback and also opening up holes. The quarterback (Daniel Jones) is another dynamic. He’s a guy who can throw the ball on time and use his legs when he needs to to get out of trouble and make plays.”

Caldwell on Thursday also discussed a Jaguars defense that ranks 11th in the NFL in yards allowed (338.8 yards per game) and ninth in points allowed (19.0) – but that allowed four touchdowns and a field goal on the final five drives in a 34-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday.

“It just comes down to really making plays,” Caldwell said. “The ball was coming out. We were in leverage sometimes and sometimes we were out of leverage. We’ll learn from it. We’re ready to get it fixed.”

Colts quarterback Matt Ryan completed 42 of 58 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns in an up-tempo scheme heavy on…