For the Steelers’ week 8 matchup, they were set to start their three-game home stand by hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars, who came into the game on a four-game winning streak, and 5-2 on the season. The Steelers had won their last two games and were sitting at 4-2.
Similar to most Steelers games, the team started out slow on offense, failing to get as much as a first down on any of their first four drives. Each drive resulted in three plays, less than 10 yards, and ended with a punt. The offense was actually booed off the field two of the four drives in question. The Jaguars, on the other hand, were able to capitalize on their first two drives, capping them off with field goals and taking an early 6-0 lead.
Luckily for the Steelers, football is a game that is played on both sides of the ball, and Pittsburgh was fortunate to have a great defensive unit. Down by 6, linebacker Kwon Alexander was able to punch the ball out from the Jacksonville tight end, Evan Engram for a fumble, which sadly would not amount to much, as the Steelers had yet another three-and-out, punting it back to the Jaguars.
On Jacksonville’s next drive, the Jaguars were able to march down the field with all signs pointed towards them scoring again, and potentially going up by 13 early in the second quarter. Trevor Lawrence, quarterback for Jacksonville, dropped back and threw an over-the-top ball intended for Calvin Ridley, but was intercepted by Steelers’ safety Damontae Kazee, in the endzone. It felt like the turning point Pittsburgh really needed.
On the next drive, the Steelers were able to move the chains for the first time in the game, and continued to do so all the way down to Jacksonville’s 5-yard line, where the Steelers failed to get in the endzone and settled for a field goal. With all things considered, being down 6-3 felt like a good break.
The Jaguars were able to get another field goal before the half, but left just over a minute on the clock, giving the Steelers a chance to score. Due to an unfortunate series of events by the officials, the Steelers were unable to score. Because of a clock issue, Pittsburgh rushed to the line to get the play off, but were stopped by the official. Once they did call hut, there seemed to be a miscommunication and the offensive line folded. Kenny Pickett took a big hit on the play, which caused him to leave the game with an injury. He would not return.
An offside call on the Steelers offensive line during a successful 55-yard field goal attempt took the points off the board and pushed Pittsburgh back five yards, causing Boswell to miss his first field goal of the year, as it was from 60 yards out. 9-3, Jags at the half.
The second half did not amount to much excitement, as the Steelers turned to their backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who struggled to get settled into the game. The defense, however, was able to force an early fumble in the second half, but of course it amounted to no points for the Steelers, as the drive actually lost nine yards, and resulted in yet another three-and-out that caused the Steelers to punt it away.
A 56-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to running back Travis Etienne was the highlight of the second half, and put the Jaguars up 17-3, making it feel a bit out of reach.
Somehow, the Steelers managed to bounce back with an impressive drive of their own, as they went 75 yards in eight plays and finally found the endzone on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Trubisky to George Pickens, who miraculously leaped over two defenders going for the tackle. The lead was cut down to seven, 17-10.
The following possession by the Steelers proved to be the dagger in the heart, as Mitch Trubisky threw a pass intended for Allen Robinson that was intercepted. This gave Jacksonville good field position, which they proceeded to capitalize on, adding another field goal to their total. The Jaguars increased their lead to 10.
The rest of the game was just as disappointing as the interception, as Pittsburgh turned the ball over on downs and threw another interception in their last two drives, making the final score 20-10 in favor of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville improved to 6-2, sitting atop the AFC. Trevor Lawrence finished the game 24/32 (75%), 292 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Etienne finished with 149 total yards of offense and a touchdown, while Evan Engram led the way with 10 catches on the day. The Jaguars head into their bye week and will take on the San Francisco 49ers (5-3) on November 12.
Mitch Trubisky ended the game 15/27 (55%), 138 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Kenny Pickett, before the injury, was 10/16 (62%), for 73 yards. The Steelers fall to 4-3 and will be on a short week, as they play on Thursday
Night Football on November 2nd against the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM and temperatures for the game will be in the thirties, marking the first winter-feeling game of the year. Kenny Pickett was not on the injury report, hinting that he should be good to go on Thursday. Defensive captain Cam Heyward is also set to return from injury, as he has not played since week 1.
