NFL Week 8 Scouting Report: Jaguars visit Steelers
Steel City Underground will provide fans in Steelers Nation a pre-game scouting report of each of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents during each week of the 2023 NFL regular season, comprised of items from top storylines and insights.
The Pittsburgh Steelers return to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, October 29 with a 4-2 record and play host to an AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars team that won its fourth straight game in Week 7 despite an injury (knee) to quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a 5-2 record. In this article, we look at the storylines surrounding the Jaguars ahead of their Week 8 meeting with the Steelers.
Climbing the NFL power rankings
“They won four games over a 19-day period. If they can notch their fourth win away from Jacksonville in the past five weeks, the Jags will be 6-2 for just the second time in their 29-season history.” – Nate Davis, USA Today
If you put a ton of stock in the power rankings of NFL analysts, the storyline is that the Jaguars jumped to No. 5 on the latest USA Today chart due, in large part, to the fall the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins all took in Week 7.
ESPN ranks Jacksonville at No. 6, with a focus on safety Andre Cisco‘s increased playmaking ability. With three interceptions, a forced fumble, four pass breakups, and 34 tackles, Cisco is helping the Jaguars defense maintain tempo.
Unfortunately, it’s the Jaguars offense that has analysts tampering some expectations. Against the Saints last week, the Jaguars started strong offensively and then seemed to come apart, gassing their defense as a result to the tune of giving up 15 points in the fourth quarter. Despite the win, that trend can’t continue down the stretch if Jacksonville is to be a playoff team.
“I know that’s going to be a point of emphasis for us… When you get into a lull like that you give good teams an opportunity to come back, so that stuff will get us beat, ultimately.” – Christian Kirk
Players in a slump
Local reporters have zeroed in on three players that seem to be in a slump for the Jaguars.
Second-year linebacker Chad Muma has yet to challenge Devin Lloyd to start next to Foyesade Oluokun.
Left guard Ben Bartch suffered a knee injury and rehabbed all off-season, but struggled enough that he was replaced by Tyler Shatley in Week 4. When Brandon Scherff suffered an ankle injury, the Jags chose journeyman Blake Hance over Bartch in Week 5. The offensive line is much thinner if Bartch can’t find a way back into the lineup.
Receiver Calvin Ridley grabbed attention in training camp for Jacksonville but has had just one 100-yard game since the season opener. Suspended all of 2022 for betting on NFL games, Ridley currently trails fellow receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram in catches; he ranks second behind Kirk in receiving yards with 368. It’s not what Jacksonville was hoping to see from their presumptive WR1.
Calvin Ridley just out there getting in some cardio at this point pic.twitter.com/CgJXJWh6Yq
— JohnnyOhio 🏈⚾️ (@JohnnyOhio) October 20, 2023
Injury overview
The most notable player on the Jaguars’ Wednesday injury report was quarterback Trevor Lawrence who is working through a knee injury and was limited in practice. The most surprising player may have been Zay Jones who was absent just close to two hours after head coach Doug Pederson said the following about the receiver and offensive lineman Walker Little, “I anticipate them doing something today in practice and we’ll go with that.” Jones and Little are both dealing with knee injuries. Jones may have a had a setback, which is worth watching.
Top cornerback Tyson Campbell and defensive tackle Davon Hamilton are both trying to get in shape to face the Steelers. Campbell has been rehabbing a hamstring injury while Hamilton had been dealing with an undisclosed infection.
When asked about his possible green light from coaches to play in Week 8, Hamilton said, “I’m really excited to finally be able to play, it’s already halfway through the season already… Hopefully, yeah.”
Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/BfxaDjU2dK
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 25, 2023
For the bulletin board
The Jaguars revealed their color scheme for Sunday on X
🚨 Teal pants! 🚨@PPG | #JAXvsPIT pic.twitter.com/MeiREywcfh
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 25, 2023
“They play hard – they’re physical, they’re fast. It’s a disciplined group.”
Coach Pederson on facing the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/sTAcI4Fbf8
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 25, 2023
And let’s not forget Amy Trask’s near head explosion…
"Jacksonville also did something mind-numbingly stupid. It was 4th and an inch. … They ran from shotgun. My brain almost exploded. All they needed was a few inches."
—@AmyTrask on the Jaguars' play on 4th and inches pic.twitter.com/eAeN2iWo78
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 22, 2023
