Steelers vs. Jaguars: Complete Week 5 Preview for Pittsburgh
How far have the Pittsburgh Steelers fallen?
We'll see Sunday when the Steelers hit the road to face the winless Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m., CBS).
The Steelers (2-2) hit a new low Sunday, blowing a lead in the final minute and losing 27-24 to a winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that was pasted for 56 points 10 days earlier.
As sobering as that loss was, the Steelers' stock will drop like it's 1929 if they lose to the Jaguars (0-4).
Jacksonville's slimmest margin of defeat came in Week 1, when it squandered a 17-0 halftime lead and lost 34-17 at Philadelphia. The Jaguars' point differential is minus-94. That's 42 points behind the Oakland Raiders, the NFL's other winless team.
"Jacksonville outscored 152-58 this season. IMO, a loss in Jax on Sunday would be the worst loss in Tomlin era.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) October 2, 2014"
Gone are the days when the Steelers can expect to make the playoffs or even beat an underdog opponent at Heinz Field. The only remaining characteristic from the championship days is their ability to beat rookie quarterbacks.
Since Dick LeBeau became the Steelers' defensive coordinator in 2004, the Steelers are 17-2 against rookie quarterbacks, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Their last victim was EJ Manuel last season.
The Steelers face rookie quarterback Blake Bortles Sunday.
Bortles, the third pick in the draft, entered the Jaguars' 44-17 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the second half in Week 3 and started last Sunday's 33-14 loss at San Diego. He's completed 43-of-61 passes for three touchdowns and four interceptions.
If the Steelers can prevent Bortles' first career win, it would hardly be a resume builder. It's the Jaguars, after all. But they can wash down the taste of their bitter Week 4 defeat.
Steelers Week 4 Recap
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The Steelers had a chance to get to 3-1 for the first time since 2010, and they played about 53 minutes of winning football. But they sandwiched five minutes of losing football before it and two minutes of losing football after it.
It all added up to the Buccaneers' first win at Pittsburgh in the 38-year history of the franchise. They're now 2-8 all-time against the Steelers.
Tampa Bay had a 10-0 lead before five minutes were played. The Bucs sacked Ben Roethlisberger twice in the first three plays. The second, by Michael Johnson, forced a fumble that Tampa Bay converted into a touchdown.
The Steelers then went three-and-out, but at least they didn't lose the football and were able to punt it away. Tampa Bay got a field goal and a 10-0 lead on the ensuing drive.
Pittsburgh swung the momentum in its favor and had a 17-10 lead at halftime. Antonio Brown caught two touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger in the first half. The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter. Heath Miller, who had a career-high 10 catches in the game, caught a five-yard TD pass from Roethlisberger to make it 24-17 after the Buccaneers tied it.
The Steelers might have had a more comfortable lead if it weren't for the 13 penalties they committed for 125 yards. They are tied with the Washington Redskins for the most yards penalized with 387.
It also didn't help that the Steelers were missing injured linebackers Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier. They had only one sack in the game. In the fourth quarter, it became clear they also were missing Ike Taylor.
Mike Glennon, the Buccaneers' backup quarterback, threw for 143 of his 302 yards in the final 15 minutes. Down 24-20, the Bucs got to the Steelers' 14 with less than two minutes left, but the Steelers defense toughened up in the red zone by forcing three straight incompletions and giving the ball back to the offense.
The offense, however, couldn't get the first down it needed to run out the clock, and after a 29-yard punt by Brad Wing, Tampa Bay had the ball at the Steelers' 46 with 40 seconds left and no timeouts.
A 41-yard pass to Louis Murphy moved the Bucs to the 5-yard line. This is the same Louis Murphy who caught two fourth-quarter touchdowns from current Steelers backup Bruce Gradkowski when the Raiders stunned the Steelers 27-24 at Heinz Field in 2009.
Murphy's big gain Sunday set up Vincent Jackson's game-winning touchdown catch, and the Bucs won by that same 27-24 score.
The parallels are intriguing. The Raiders were 3-8 entering that game in 2009. The Buccaneers entered Sunday's game 0-3 before. The Steelers dipped to .500 in both cases.
They key difference is that the Steelers dropped to 6-6 with that 2009 loss after a 6-2 start. They lost at Cleveland four days later, and their playoff hopes were pretty much dead.
This time, there are still plenty of opportunities for the Steelers to recover.
News and Notes
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Bortles Similar to Roethlisberger
If the Jaguars quarterback bears an uncanny resemblance to Ben Roethlisberger, don't worry. It won't be because the Steelers and Jaguars made an in-game trade.
Jaguars rookie quarterback Blake Bortles parallels Roethlisberger in many ways. Like Roethlisberger, Bortles entered a game early in his rookie season and took the starting job from there. Here's a comparison of the two quarterbacks. The statistics are through the first start of their career, including the game they entered the week before making their first start.
| Roethlisberger | Bortles | |
| Height | 6'5" | 6'5" |
| Weight | 241 pounds | 232 pounds |
| Drafted | No. 11 in 2004 | No. 3 in 2014 |
| School | Miami of Ohio (Mid-American Conference) | Central Florida (American Athletic Conference, but in the MAC when Roethlisberger was at Miami of Ohio) |
| Completion Percentage | 24 for 42 (57 percent) | 43 for 61 (70 percent) |
| Passing Yards | 339 | 477 |
| Touchdowns-Interceptions | 3-3 | 3-4 |
| Why They Came In | Replaced injured Tommy Maddox in third quarter of 30-13 loss at Baltimore in Week 2 | Started second half with Jaguars losing 30-0 to Colts at home in Week 3 |
The big difference is that Roethlisberger won his first career start, leading the Steelers to a 13-3 win at Miami in Week 3. It was the first of 13 straight games Roethlisberger won to start his career, and the Steelers went 15-1.
Bortles completed 29-of-37 passes for 254 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his first career start last week, and the Jaguars lost 33-14 at San Diego.
Steelers Have Officials at Practice
The Steelers have been penalized for 387 yards, tied with the Washington Redskins for the most in the league. They're second to the San Francisco 49ers with 44 penalties.
They were charged with 13 penalties for 125 yards in their Week 4 loss to the Buccaneers.
In an attempt to cut down on the flags, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin brought officials into practice this week, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
"Roethlisberger said he had no clue refs will be at practice today
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) October 1, 2014"
According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, they were high school officials.
Tomlin Wants Brown to Temper Celebrations
Among the Steelers' penalties last week was a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call on Antonio Brown after one of his two touchdowns.
Brown spun the ball and then went to the ground, which is illegal.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wants Brown to stop celebrating touchdowns in a way that draws flags.
Brown has five receiving touchdowns this season, tied for most in the league.
Jaguars Thin at Receiver
Jaguars rookie wide receiver Marqise Lee is out with a hamstring injury, according to Pro Football Talk. Fellow receiver Cecil Shorts also is expected to miss the game with a hamstring injury.
That leaves the Jaguars with Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Mike Brown and Ace Sanders as their top-four receivers. Robinson (17 catches) and Hurns (12 catches), both rookies, have been Jacksonville's two leading pass catchers this season.
The 5'7" Sanders, who caught 51 passes last season, is returning from a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, according to FoxSports.com.
4th-Quarter Follies
It wouldn't be a good idea to leave Sunday's game early or switch to another game on TV after three quarters.
The Steelers have allowed 42 fourth-quarter points, tied with the Atlanta Falcons for second-most in the league. Only the Jaguars have given up more. Their opponents have scored 57 fourth-quarter points this season.
Steelers Stuck at .500
The Steelers' loss to the Buccaneers put them in a familiar place: .500. No one needs to be reminded that they've gone 8-8 in each of the last two seasons, but it goes beyond that. They're 20-20 over their past 40 games going back to Week 15 of the 2011-12 season.
Losing to Winless Teams Nothing New
After losing to an 0-3 team at home last week, it wouldn't be stunning if the Steelers lost on the road to the 0-4 Jaguars on Sunday.
If they do, there still will be teams with worse records who have beaten the Steelers. Even a Super Bowl-winning Steelers team has lost to a winless opponent. In 1979, the 5-1 Steelers lost 34-10 at Cincinnati to the 0-6 Bengals.
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury Status |
| Martavis Bryant | WR | Probable (Illness) |
| James Harrison | LB | Probable (Illness) |
| Markus Wheaton | WR | Probable (Groin) |
| Marcus Gilbert | OT | Probable (Ankle) |
| Ramon Foster | OG | Probable (Ankle) |
Markus Wheaton practiced Friday after being limited earlier in the week. If he is sidelined, the Steelers would have a significant hole to fill. He's caught 19 passes this season, second among Steelers wide receivers. Justin Brown and his unreliable hands would presumably become Ben Roethlisberger's second option. Lance Moore has played just 15 snaps this season; Darrius Heyward-Bey hasn't caught a pass, and Martavis Bryant hasn't dressed for a game.
Heath Miller caught a career-high 10 passes last week and will need a comparable game at Jacksonville if Wheaton can't go.
"Markus Wheaton (groin) said he is good to go on Sunday. He does not expect his snaps to be limited vs. Jaguars
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) October 3, 2014"
Ramon Foster missed the last two games with an ankle injury but went through a full practice Thursday and Friday.
Ryan Shazier (knee) and Ike Taylor (forearm) both are expected to sit out again Sunday. Jarvis Jones (wrist) is on injured reserve-designated to return and can't come back for at least seven more weeks.
Practice information is from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Jason Worilds vs. Blake Bortles
Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds was used to "spy" on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in Week 3, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Like Newton, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles can take off and gain yards on the ground. He's gained 54 yards on seven carries this season. Newton ran the ball twice for seven yards against the Steelers, although he likely still felt the effects of offseason ankle surgery.
Bortles is more of a threat to hurt the Steelers by running the ball. If Worilds is used the same way he was used in Carolina, it will be up to him to contain Bortles when he scrambles.
Le'Veon Bell vs. Paul Posluszny
Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell won the matchup against the NFL's leading tackler and reigning Defensive Player of the Year two weeks ago. Bell ran for a career-high 147 yards against middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and the Carolina Panthers.
On Sunday, it will be Paul Posluszny at the heart of the Jaguars' 4-3 defense trying to stop Bell. The eighth-year middle linebacker out of Penn State is third in the NFL this season with 41 tackles (Kuechly has 46).
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Posluszny is the Jaguars' eighth-best run defender, and he's drawn an overall negative grade for his play.
Bell lost serious ground to the Cowboys' DeMarco Murray in the NFL rushing yards race last week. After gaining just 63 yards against Tampa Bay, he's second in the NFL with 378 rushing yards. But he's 156 yards behind Murray.
Kelvin Beachum vs. Andre Branch
The Jaguars are tied for second in the NFL with 12 sacks. The Steelers are tied for third with 11 sacks allowed.
Andre Branch (who is listed as questionable with a hip flexor according to CBSSports.com) leads the Jaguars with three sacks. He's listed as a right defensive end on the Jaguars' Ourlads.com depth chart. So theoretically he will be lined up over Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum, who will be trying to bounce back from a bad game last week. He allowed three of the Buccaneers' five sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
Beachum and right tackle Marcus Gilbert both have allowed four sacks this season. The interior of the offensive line has protected Ben Roethlisberger better, at least from a statistical standpoint.
Steelers Pass Rush vs. Jaguars Offensive Line
The Jaguars have allowed a league-high 20 sacks this season, and it's not even close. The Kansas City Chiefs have allowed the second most at 13.
Jacksonville has two rookies starting on the offensive line, center Luke Bowanko and right guard Brandon Linder. Left tackle Luke Joeckel, taken with the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, is ranked 52nd by Pro Football Focus out of 67 tackles who have taken at least 25 percent of their team's snaps this year.
Rather than a battle of strength versus strength, this is a battle of weakness versus weakness.
The Steelers are tied for 18th in the league with seven sacks. Defensive end Cameron Heyward and outside linebacker Jarvis Jones share the team lead with two, but Jones is out for at least another seven weeks with a wrist injury.
Jason Worilds, who earned a $9.754 million salary this year under the transition tag after leading the Steelers with eight sacks in 2013, has just one sack this year and that came in the season opener.
James Harrison played 29 snaps last week in his return to the Steelers, but according to PFF had no quarterback hits or pressures.
Arthur Moats, who is starting in place of Jones, has one sack this season.
The Redskins sacked Chad Henne 10 times in Week 2. No Jaguars opponent has had less than three sacks.
Antonio Brown vs. Jaguars Defensive Backs
This is the Steelers' most favorable matchup in the game.
The Jaguars are ranked last in the NFL with 320.8 passing yards allowed per game, and teams haven't really had to throw on them because they've been way behind.
Antonio Brown, meanwhile, is tied for first in the NFL with five touchdown catches. He's tied for third with 29 receptions, and he's fourth with 427 receiving yards.
Brown broke an NFL record last week with his 20th straight game catching at least five passes for at least 50 yards. Funny things happen in football, but the Jaguars don't seem equipped to break that streak.
Steelers X-Factor to Watch: William Gay
William Gay made a case to be considered the Steelers' best cornerback through the first three games this season. Then he started in place of injured Ike Taylor last week and graded out as the Steelers' worst defensive back, according to PFF.
Gay allowed five receptions on 11 balls thrown into his coverage. Three of them went to Louis Murphy, who caught all six of his passes in the second half. Gay allowed one completion each to Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. The latter was the game-winning touchdown.
The Jaguars are hurting at receiver. Their top two, rookies Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, both are healthy. But because of injuries to Marqise Lee and Cecil Shorts, Ace Sanders will be needed to fill the role of No. 3 receiver in his first game back from a four-game suspension.
That doesn't necessarily mean it will be an easier day for Gay. Robinson, Hurns and Sanders all are at least seven years younger than the 29-year-old. He needs to keep up with them to put his Week 4 nightmare behind him.
Prediction
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Last week's fiasco made it easy to forget the Steelers' 37-19 domination of Carolina the week before.
It's hard to figure out who the real Steelers are. For now, they're going to be wildly inconsistent. But they have the talent to beat the Jaguars and bounce back from last week's pratfall.
But don't be surprised if there's another disturbing loss or two down the road.
Prediction: Steelers 33, Jaguars 15
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