[jwplayer JZtzT24f-ThvAeFxT]
Steeler Nation doesn’t just reside in the surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the team that calls Pittsburgh it’s home. The six-time Super Bowl champions always strive for excellence, and their fans expect nothing less.
This is the preview that all fans of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) of Steelers Wire brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing a weekly game story, the Steelers offensive and defensive game plans, score prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and up to date team injury reports. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Steelers vow to not overlook Jaguars with Thanksgiving night game looming vs Ravens
If there is one thing the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-0) will not be doing this Sunday afternoon in Florida, it’s overlooking the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have always been a thorn in the side of the Steelers since they first met in 1995.
The Jaguars (1-8) are 14-12 vs the Steelers and 2-0 vs Pittsburgh in the postseason. Not many teams boost those numbers against the six-time champions.
“We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent this week. Every time we step into a stadium, we are playing professionals. Players and coaches. We have a ridiculous level of respect for that,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday at his press conference.
Tomlin, by the way, may want to use another conference as a reference in the future in regards to the MAC, which the likes of Chukwuma Okorafor, Diontae Johnson, Robert Spillane, Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, Jayrone Elliot, and– oh yeah, Ben Roethlisberger made their roots in college. Just sayin’…
Roethlisberger, by the way, is well aware of the team’s struggles vs Jacksonville.
“You look at the past history of this game, and it hasn’t been pretty for us. We have yet to play a really good game against these guys,” Roethlisberger said.
“The last 10 games against them have not been good at all. Extra motivation, whatever you want to call it, we’re not taking these guys lightly.”
Pittsburgh’s defense will be looking to minimize the impact of rookie James Robinson, who has 689 yards on the ground and six scores.
“I cannot say enough about him and the respect I have for what he has done,” Tomlin said about Robinson.
“He’s a strong runner. He has built-in leverage. He is not an extremely tall guy at 5’9” or so. His angle to body positions, the pad level is impressive and that allows his power to fall forward.”
The Steelers were among the best in stopping the run earlier this year, but have been gashed for too many yards in their past three games, which were against Baltimore, Dallas, and Cincinnati. In those games, Pittsburgh is giving up an average of 182 yards a game, which is the worst in the NFL.
Some of that has to do with the loss of LB Devin Bush, and defensive back extraordinaire Mike Hilton who has missed the past four games with a shoulder injury.
On the flip side, the Steelers have concerns about establishing their own rushing attack, one of the few issues that are plaguing the Pittsburgh offense.
Roethlisberger knows there will come a time his offense will need to lean on it.
“I think you have to be able to do it when you need to do it,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said post-game vs the Bengals last week. “Obviously, we didn’t run the ball well today, but we did other things well. We put points on the board. We scored when we needed to score. We converted when we had to do that.
“So, we shouldn’t get so caught up in yards per carry or total yards rushing or things like that because really it comes down to winning the football game first, which we did, and everything kind of falls into place from there.”
James Conner and the running game looked solid during the team’s first five games, in which they were averaging 136.8 rushing yards per game. By contrast, the Pittsburgh run game has garnered just 138 yards rushing total in their past three contests.
Tomlin sees his offense as adaptable to any situation with the way they are playing so far in 2020.
“We’re a balanced group,” coach Tomlin said. “We can give it to you however you want it. If you want to pack a bunch on the line of scrimmage, we’re going to throw it. You play two high safeties, we’re capable of running it. That’s what I mean when I say we strive to be a balanced group. We want to be able to move it however, however we choose, or maybe over commitments and so forth from defenses that dictate it, we’re OK with that too.”
Prediction
Jacksonville comes into this game with an eight-game losing streak after winning in week one vs the Colts, 27-20. Since then, the Jags have seemingly found about just about every conceivable way to lose a game. Jacksonville did battle hard in losses to Houston (25-27) and Green Bay (20-24), but a pair of turnovers by the Packers kept the Jags in the game far longer than they should have been.
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense need to come out and take control early, and then let the defense pin their ears back going after Jake Luton who will be playing catch-up. Play aggressive, but smart, and protect the ball. Pittsburgh rolls in this one… Steelers 34 Jaguars 13
Steelers offensive game plan
- Attack Jaguars secondary: Ben Roethlisberger has to be licking his chops at the thought of seeing Jacksonville minus both of their starting cornerbacks. Even if they suit up, they will be less than 100%.
- Protect the ball: One thing you never do against lesser teams is give away extra chances and hand out hope. Play aggressive, but smart.
Steelers defensive game plan
- Stop James Robinson: The Jags thrive off of their running game, which is bad news vs the Steelers who excel at stopping it. Keep Robinson at bay and force the Jags to use Jake Luton far more than they want to, which should result in some juice turnovers.
A look at the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 9-0 (1st in AFC North)
Head coach: Mike Tomlin (13th Season with Steelers)
- Overall regular-season record: 142-74-1
- Playoff record: 8-7 (Qualified for playoffs 8 times)
2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 Schedule
Last game: Steelers 36 Bengals 10
Steelers offense
- Points per game: 30.1
- Total yards per game: 345
- Passing yards per game: 243.2
- Rushing yards per game: 101.8
Strengths: The passing game behind the arm of Ben Roethlisberger and a variety of weapons to choose from.
Weaknesses: The rushing attack, especially in short-yardage situations. Offensive line needs to start creating some push and space.
Scouting report: Ben Roethlisberger is playing as good as he ever has in his eventual HOF career. Big Ben has 22 touchdowns so far and passed for 2,267 yards and four interceptions. He has only been sacked 10 times.
Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool lead a talented trio of wide receivers. Johnson has 37 receptions for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Claypool is having a big rookie year with 35 catches for 500 yards and seven TDs. Claypool also has rushed for 22 yards and two more touchdowns. Smith-Schuster leads the team with 54 catches for 516 yards and five touchdowns. James Washington (20-232-3) can line up anywhere and usually comes up with some big catches. TE’s Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald give Big Ben huge targets across the middle and down in the red zone. Ebron now has 31 catches for 323 yards and three scores.
The offensive line does a pretty good job protecting Roethlisberger, but they need to step up their play in providing room in the running game. James Conner has rushed for 556 yards and five scores and has 22 receptions for 135 yards. Benny Snell looks good in his 2nd year, leaner and a hint faster. He rushed for 113 yards in the opener when Conner sustained an ankle injury and has 167 overall. Anthony McFarland, Jr. has been plugged into the rushing attack and has run for 64 yards on 17 carries.
Ray-Ray McCloud has been used as an x-factor type weapon, gaining 62 yards on three carries, and has 10 catches for 50 yards.
This is an offense capable of putting up big numbers weekly, especially if they start finishing drives in the endzone instead of settling for field goals.
The Steelers are 4th in the NFL averaging 30.1 points per game.
Starting Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger / Back-up: Mason Rudolph
Running Backs: James Conner, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Jr., and Jaylen Samuels
Fullback: Derek Watt
Wide Receivers: Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud III
Tight Ends: Eric Ebron, Vance McDonald, and Zach Gentry
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Alejandro Villanueva
Left Guard: Matt Feiler
Center: Maurkice Pouncey
Right Guard: David DeCastro / Kevin Dotson
Right Tackle: Chukwuma Okorafor
Steelers defense (Base 3-4)
- Points per game allowed: 19
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 318.1
- Passing yards allowed: 211.3
- Rushing yards allowed: 106.8
- Sacks: 36
- Interceptions: 11
Strengths: A relentless pass rush and excellent run defense.
Weaknesses: Sometimes have issues getting off the field on 3rd downs, allowing opposing quarterback too much time by not blitzing.
Scouting report: One of the top units in the NFL. They are fast and physical. Pittsburgh defends the run well and puts constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a variety of blitzes. Cam Heyward anchors the defensive line and is a yearly all-pro, with the vastly underappreciated Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu alongside him. Tuitt has six sacks in 2020.
OLB T.J. Watt is one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and he is aided by Bud Dupree on the other side. Watt and Dupree have combined for 16 sacks. Inside LB Vince Williams is stout against the run, as is the hard-hitting Robert Spillane, who replaced star LB Devin Bush who tore his ACL. Avery Williamson joins the team after being traded from the NY Jets.
Minkah Fitzpatrick leads an impressive secondary with two good corners in Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. Terrell Edmunds never gets the credit he deserves but is always around the ball.
Mike Hilton is the most unheralded player on the defense, a do-everything player in Pittsburgh’s nickel package. Hilton has three sacks, one interception, and 29 tackles in just five games.
The splash play Steelers have recorded 36 sacks so far and 11 interceptions.
Defensive End: Cam Heyward
Defensive Tackle: Tyson Alualu
Defensive End: Stephon Tuitt
Left OLB: T.J. Watt
Left ILB: Robert Spillane/Avery Williamson
Right ILB: Vince Williams
Right OLB: Bud Dupree
Cornerback: Joe Haden
Strong Safety: Terrell Edmunds
Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cornerback: Steven Nelson
*Nickle: Mike Hilton
Special Teams
Placekicker: Chris Boswell
- Extra Points: 27-30
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 2-2
- 30-39 yards: 6-6
- 40-49 yards: 5-5
- 50+ yards: 1-1
Scouting report: Chris Boswell is solid as ever at placekicker. Ray-Ray McCloud is making a name for himself, averaging 24.2 yards per kickoff return, and 15 per punt return.
Punter: Jordan Berry
Kickoff Returners: Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Ray-Ray McCloud
Punt Returner: Ray-Ray McCloud
A look at the Jacksonville Jaguars
Overall record: 1-8 (Last in AFC South)
Head coach: Doug Marrone (5th season with Jaguars)
- Overall regular-season record: 35-53 / 23-35 with Jaguars
- Playoff record: 2-1
2020 Jacksonville Jaguars roster
Jacksonville Team/Individual Statistics
Last game: Green Bay 24 Jacksonville 20
Jaguars offense
- Points per game: 22.1
- Total Offense per game: 340.4
- Passing yards per game: 240.4
- Rushing yards per game: 100
Strengths: James Robinson and the rushing attack.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent quarterback play and poor pass protection.
Scouting report: Jake Luton will likely start, but there is a chance Gardner Minshew plays. Luton has thrown for 473 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Minshew has 1,855 yards passing with 13 TD’s and five picks. Both QB’s have been sacked a combined 27 times.
James Robinson is having an excellent rookie season with 689 yards on the ground and six scores. He also has 29 receptions for 228 yards and a TD. Chris Thompson is the back-up and is dangerous out of the backfield on 3rd downs with 20 catches for 146 yards.
D.J. Chark is the Jags leading receiver with 37 receptions for 493 yards and four touchdowns. Keelan Cole is 2nd with 34 catches for 427 yards and four scores. Laviska Shenault is an up and coming talent but is out this week. Chris Conley will be the 3rd guy in the rotation and has 26 catches for 319 yards and a TD. James O’Shaughnessy is the top tight end for the Jags but is also out. Tyler Eifert will get the start and has 17 receptions for 156 yards and a score.
Starting Quarterback: Gardner Minshew* / Back-up: Jake Luton
Running Backs: James Robinson and Chris Thompson
Wide Receivers: D.J. Chark, Jr., Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault*, Chris Conley, and Collin Johnson
Tight Ends: James O’Shaughnessy* and Tyler Eifert
*Injured
Jaguars defense (Base 4-3)
- Points per game allowed: 30.1
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 415.6
- Passing yards allowed: 263.9
- Rushing yards allowed: 131.7
- Sacks: 9
- Interceptions: 7
Strengths: Not many…
Weaknesses: Gives up a ton of yards per game. Weak vs the run and vulnerable down the middle in the secondary. Barely any pass rush.
Scouting report: DE Josh Allen (no, not that guy from Buffalo) leads the team with just 2.5 sacks. LN Joe Schobert leads the team with 72 tackles. Pretty bad unit overall, allowing 30.1 points per game and 415.6 yards to opposing offenses.
Special Teams
Placekicker: Chase McLaughlin
- Extra Points: 2-2
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 1-2
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
Scouting report: Be wary of Keelan Cole if he is back to return. He is averaging 26.7 yards per return on kickoffs and 29.3 on punt returns, with a touchdown.
Game Day Information
Venue: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL.
Field: Natural Grass
Game-time: Sunday, November 22nd, 1:00 pm
TV: CBS (Local on KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Charles Davis (analyst) Evan Washburn (reporter)
Local radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 76 with a 30% chance of rain. Winds NE 10 mph.
Vegas line: Steelers -10
NFL Standings / NFL Scoreboard
Steelers vs Jaguars history
The Steelers are 12-14 overall vs Jaguars
- Series History: Began in 1995
- At home: 6-7
- On the road: 6-7
- Postseason: 0-2
- Streak: Steelers won the game.
- Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 20-16 (Nov. 18, 2018)
- Last postseason meeting: Jaguars Win, 45-42 (Jan. 14, 2018, AFC Divisional)
Injury report (11/20/20)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: RB Jaylen Samuels (Quadriceps), RB Trey Edmunds (Hamstring), LB Jayrone Elliott (Illness)
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: None
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Out: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (Hamstring), TE James O’Shaughnessy (Knee),
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: CB Sidney Jones IV (Achilles), WR Collin Johnson (Hamstring), QB Gardner Minshew II (Right Thumb), CB C.J. Henderson
