Which Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) team will show up when they travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)? Will it be the squad that blew out the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens and held each to a single touchdown?Or will it be the unit that fell to the New York Jets last week?
We’ll find out when CBS broadcasts the game on your local station at 1 p.m. EST Sunday.
The Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7.5)
O/U: 42.5
The History
The Steelers and Jaguars have faced off 23 times since 1995. Pittsburgh leads the all time series 12-11.
The two teams have met in the playoffs once, on January 5, 2008. Ben Roethlisberge completed 29 of 42 passes for 337 yards, two touchdowns and three picks in the game. David Garrard was a pitiful 9-of-21 for 140 yards, one touchdown and two picks in a game that was shockingly close. The Steelers won 31-29.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-2)
Like Criag’s family in the movie Friday, this Jaguars team never has shit that matches. They’ve got great wide receivers and a quarterback that can’t consistently get them the ball. They’ve got a good running game that needs a passing game to really be effective., They’re one of the best passing defenses in the league and one of the worst running defenses. Doug Marrone has a job ahead of him.
Running back Leonard Fournett did manage 86 yards on 24 carries last week, but the Steelers defense will be a little tougher to part. Fournette expanded his role in the offense, catching four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. He’ll need to be equally capable in the passing game to get involved in the offense this week. And maybe if he does, Bortles numbers can jump up a little.
On defense, the Jaguars are a sacking machine. They got Josh McCown five times last Sunday, recorded nine tackles in the backfield and picked off a pass. Unfortunately, with the game on the line, they couldn’t hold the Jets out of field goal range. This is an improved Jacksonville team, but they’ve still got a ways to go.
The Jags come into this game mostly healthy. Their only confirmed scratch is outside linebacker Lerentee McCray.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-1)
The Steelers bounced back from a horrid loss to the Chicago Bears for a dominating 26-9 win over the hated Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. Ben Roethlisberger continued his solid, but unspectacular play, completing 18 of 30 passes for 216 yards, a touchdown and a pick.
Who was spectacular? Running back Le’Veon Bell who carried the ball 35 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Facing the Jaguars’ run defense, Bell will once again most likely carry the load this week until the safeties crawl in and open up opportunities for Antonio Brown. Brown will likely be without Martavis Bryant on the other side as he’s officially listed as doubtful.
Pittsburgh’s defense held Baltimore scoreless in three quarters last week and stifled any sniff at a comeback. They sacked Joe Flacco four times, recorded nine tackles for a loss and picked off Flacco twice. Bortles will be standing back there like a giant, glistening turkey leg in the middle of a Thanksgiving table. It could get ugly.
Brown, of course, had himself a little tirade on the sidelines after just four catches for 34 yards. He was targeted nine times, so it wasn’t the playcalling. Still, as often happens after one of these primadonna wideouts has a meltdown, he could bounce back in a big way. I wouldn’t bet against it.
The Pick
Beating the now reeling Ravens in London is one thing. Beating the Steelers at Heinz field is entirely another for a Jaguars team that seems to only show up every other week. I still don’t see the explosion we’re used to in this Pittsburgh offense, but they should have some short field to work with if Bortles starts throwing picks on his own side of the green. Steelers 31, Jaguars 20
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 9-7
Against the spread: 10-6
Season
Straight up: 37-26
Against the spread: 32-31
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