The 5: Things to watch for from Steelers versus Jaguars
The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) will host the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at Acrisure Stadium in Week 8 of the 2023 NFL regular season. The Steelers enter the game having come back to beat the Los Angeles Rams while the Jaguars are on a four-game win streak.
In this article we look at five things Steelers fans should watch for in this AFC matchup.
Disruption and deconstruction
Jacksonville has at least one major concern entering the game with Pittsburgh: quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Although Lawrence showed an ability to play through a knee injury against the New Orleans Saints, his offensive line is thin due to injuries. If he wears the brace on his injured knee, can he scramble away from pressure? Will his offensive line be able to hold up?
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith – already a disruptive duo – both look to have opportunities to deconstruct the Jaguars’ offensive line in favorable matchups. The one-two punch from the edge may be too much for Lawrence and the Jaguars offense to shake off.
“It is a two-headed monster with these guys. As an offense, you have to be very aware.” – Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson
Grinding ground game
Speaking of one-two punches, Pittsburgh found a way to get both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren successfully engaged in Week 7 for a ground game that propelled the Steelers in a come back win over the Rams.
Jacksonville is near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed, but are earning a lot of takeaways as a defense. Their run defense ranked 5th in the league in rushing yards allowed ahead of Week 7.
The yardage won’t be easy to gain for Pittsburgh’s rushers, but grinding things out will do what it should: open up the playbook for quarterback Kenny Pickett to take his shots when his receiving targets have excellent matchups.
Related content:
Bottling up Etienne and company
Travis Etienne Jr. is the Jaguars’ primary running back, with Tank Bigsby. In seven games, Etienne has gained 504 yards on 127 carries for 7 rushing touchdowns. Bigsby hasn’t been utilized much, which gives the Steelers an edge as long as they focus on being bigger and badder along the defensive front. The interior linebackers will need to be solid sideline to sideline at the second level.
Containment, gap integrity, solid tackling, ability to shift laterally down the line, and getting to the next level will bey key to bottling the Jaguars run game up and forcing Lawrence to use the pass more often to move the chains.
Hot hands
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks often about getting the ball to the guy – or guys – with the hot hands. This week, the Steelers need their receiving targets to not only run routes that help Pickett find the sweet zone for success but protect the football once they make the catch.
The Jaguars have been effective at creating and taking advantage of turnovers. If the Steelers can get their passing game clicking like it did in the fourth quarter of Week 7’s victory, and eliminate mistakes and control emotions, the opportunities for yardage after the catch is there.
Protection
Through seven weeks, Jacksonville has recorded just 13 sacks. That doesn’t mean Pittsburgh’s offensive line can afford to just rock back on their heels in Week 8, though.
The Steelers have utilized an improved blocking a pass protection scheme over the last couple of weeks, and that will play an integral part in giving Pickett time to orchestrate drives and have the confidence to look for opportunities down the field.
