Bold Predictions: Week 5 – Steelers vs. Jaguars
I haven’t been too far off with my predictions this season Steelers Nation! Last week I successfully predicted a coin toss scenario (50/50) that Ben Roethlisberger would finally win in Baltimore for the first time is seven years.
However, Big Ben didn’t throw for 300 yards… and he didn’t need to, as the Steelers leaned on the running game to beat the Ravens. As such, the deep pass I was seeking to have the offense complete last week also didn’t happen, but they had their opportunities!
Martavis Bryant didn’t have a big game, but he did lead the Steelers in receiving yards, as Ben spread the ball around to multiple receivers. Chris Boswell also outscored Justin Tucker in the kicking game, so a feather in my cap for that one and a few “iffy” picks keep me on even keel. (Except for that prediction about zero sacks, which was way off!)
So what’s on tap for this week as the Jacksonville Jaguars come to town? Let’s find out!
Bell breaks 200 total yards
He was close last week with 144 yards rushing and another 42 yards receiving. I believe the key to this game will be running the football against a Jacksonville defense ranked dead last in the league against the run.
That means all “Bell” will be breaking loose!
Antonio Brown catches five passes
Conservative statistic alert!
AB had his tantrum last Sunday, which was blown out of proportion by everyone except us here at SCU. The extra attention won’t give Brown any extra attention this weekend, because the Steelers will focus on running the ball. The Jaguars have a solid cornerback duo in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, so I’d expect Pittsburgh’s game plan to be about the same as last week’s against the Ravens: feed the run game.
Thus, Antonio will have to wait one more week before being a fantasy football darly again!
Steelers defense forces at least three sacks
I really want to make another sack prediction this week, but I thought Joe Flacco would get rid of the ball faster than he did. Blake Bortles is in the same position, as he’s throwing the ball away, limiting him to only three sacks total on the season.
I think Pittsburgh gets to him, but how bold can I be with a prediction on that?
Let’s double the number. Ryan Shazier is straight-out balling this year, and we’ve seen what Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt could do in the past. Heck, we may even have a James Harrison sighting on Sunday!
Let’s go for the trifecta.
Steelers defense forces at least two turnovers
I’m fairly solid on this one too. Blake Bortles is going to have a tough time completing passes and he can’t just throw them all away. I expect a forced fumble and a pick at the very least.
Leonard Fournette gets just over 100 total yards
He’s the workhorse in the Jags backfield, and will be leaned upon heavily in this game. However, I don’t see Fournette getting 100 yards rushing. If anything, he’ll have a 60/40 split between rushing and receiving yards.
It won’t matter for much because…
Steelers win by 20
My boldest prediction for Sunday? The Steelers finally get over the hump and add over 30 points to the scoreboard in a 20–plus point win.
I’m not saying those 30 points will all come from the offense, but they could. The defense is chomping at the bit for a touchdown and I’m sure the special teams unit is hungry too.