On the first Sunday of October, the Jacksonville Jaguars will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a clash of titans.
Both of these teams, however, come into this matchup riddled with injuries. The Steelers have lost first string running back Willie Parker and second string running back Rashard Mendenhall, and the line hasn't been the same since the departure of guard Alan Faneca.
The Jaguars offensive line has lost Richard Collier, Maurice Williams, Brad Meester and Vince Manuwai, and their secondary is banged up as well with cornerback Rashean Mathis and safety Reggie Nelson both coming off of minor injuries.
Both teams, however, come into this matchup with their playoff hopes very much alive, Pittsburgh is 3-1 and in first place in the AFC North and the Jaguars are 2-2 and two games behind the Titans in the AFC South.
Historically the Jaguars have dominated this series, including two victories in Pittsburgh last season, including one in the AFC Wild Card playoffs, making them the first team to ever beat Pittsburgh twice at home.
Lets take a quick look at how the teams match up:
Quarterback:
Garrard has had a rocky start to the season, and has yet to live up to the expectations set by his sixty million dollar contract signed during the offseason, although he did look pretty good last week against Houston in the fourth quarter and OT.
Roethlisberger has had a serious protection problem and has been beat up because of it. If his offensive line gives him time to work he'll slice up the Jags secondary just like he did in the second quarter of the Wild Card game last year.
Advantage: Steelers
Running Game:
The Jaguars, despite having a Swiss cheese reminiscent offensive line, are ranked 12th in the league in rushing offense. Taylor and Jones-Drew are far too dangerous for the Steelers to completely shut down. The key for the Steelers D is to use those athletic linebackers to limit the Jaguars run game.
The Steelers are barely averaging 100 yards a game on the ground, and now that they are down to their fourth string running back it'll be a miracle if they can run against the Jags defense. They key is to use screen passes and quick outs to establish the passing attack and then pepper in run plays. Yes, I did say it, use the pass to set up the run.
Advantage: Jaguars
Defense:
The Jaguars D has been something of a sieve of late, allowing fourth quarter comeback after fourth quarter comeback. If they don't tighten up on D they won't be winning many games.
Pittsburgh is second in defense overall. Need I say more? Their D has looked like a characteristic Steelers defense. This one is an easy call.
Advantage: Steelers
Overall, I think the Steelers will come into Jacksonville playing smash mouth football. And I think they will leave with a headache and an L.
My pick: Jaguars.
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2 months ago
the jags have no chance to beat he steelers. if they're secondary is banged up as you mentioned, then the steelers will dominate in the passing game
by the way, the playoff game last year was so not at win for the jags. it was a loss by the refs. i'm not making excuses but there were some pretty big calls missed that would have made huge impacts on the game.
2 months ago
As you mentioned. big missed calls in that game included the blatant offensive pass interference by Hines Ward in the fourth quarter and intentional grounding by Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter. Missed calls or not, the Steelers lost that game, not the refs.
And both injured defensive backs are listed as probable for Sunday's game, just so you know.
Hope you enjoy watching the game, and Go Jags!
2 months ago
ok maybe those were missed, but how bout at the end of the first half, Santonio Holmes caught that ball and because his hands were not big enough to quite cover the entire ball, they said it wasn't a catch, we would have score at least 3 if that play counted. Oh and on Garrard's run at the end, there were three holdings!!! one on Polamolu, another blatant one on James Harrison ( the o-lineman was holding him up off the ground and Garrard ran by. and there was another on the left side of the line, i believe a steeler was dragged down by an o-lineman. And the two point conversion should have counted because the holding they called on Mahan, he never touched a single defender. yes the refs did screw up a lot and cost us a playoff game. have fun watching from home, i'll be in a box AT the game on sunday. HERE WE GO STEELERS!!! HERE WE GO!!!!
2 months ago
it was sad reading that Eddie would be in a box at the game, but that will make easier to airmail him back home after the loss
Go Jaguars!
2 months ago
Hey, Eddie, as a season ticket holder I too will be enjoying the Jaguars victory on Sunday. Hope you enjoy our wonderful stadium!
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