The Pittsburgh Steelers have alternated wins and losses this season, and are sitting at 2-2 after four games. They let big leads against Cleveland and Tampa Bay turn into close losses. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars are still searching for their first win of the season with help from their quarterback of the future, Blake Bortles.
Will the Jags pull off the upset? Or will the Steelers take their third win of the season? Read on for more and get set for other games around the league with our preview of Cowboys vs. Texans.
[sc:Football ]
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Preview
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville
When: Sunday, October 5, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (+7); total 46.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a last-second 27-24 loss to the then-winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. In what was a sloppy game, the Steelers hurt themselves more than anything with 13 flags for 125 total penalty yards. Through four games this season, Pittsburgh are averaging 11 penalties per game.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Still, their explosive offense was on full display as Ben Roethlisberger passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns, wide receiver Antonio Brown caught seven passes for 131 yards and two scores, and tight end Heath Miller had a career-high nine receptions and a touchdown. Big Ben may be up for another big game when he takes on a Jacksonville defense that has allowed 320.8 yards per game and 11 touchdowns overall.
A major issue for the Steelers has been the play of of their offensive line. With few holes to run through Pittsburgh’s one-two punch of running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount combined for only 88 yards in Week 4. Their rushing offense suffered from their O line’s inability to block against Tampa Bay’s defense. The line was even worse in pass rush situations, allowing five sacks for a loss of 26 yards.
On the other side of the ball, the Steelers struggled to get to the Bucs’ quarterback, as they allowed 287 passing yards to a team that came in ranked last in passing offense. Defensive end Cameron Heyward recorded the only sack for Pittsburgh’s defense. A repeat performance may leave them humiliated against Jacksonville’s rookie quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games against AFC South.
The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered their fourth-consecutive defeat, 33-14, at the hands of the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. However, the Jaguars more than held their own in the first half of the game.
Making his first start of the season, rookie quarterback Blake Bortles went 15 of 18 for 149 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the first half of the game. He twice gave the Jags the lead before they trailed 17-14 at halftime.
If Bortles can continue to play well, he has a couple of decent receivers in Allen Hurns (caught three passing touchdowns) and Allen Robinson (averaging 11.3 yards per catch) that could have some big gains against a shaky Pittsburgh defense.
Defensively, though, the Jags’ will have their hands full against the Steelers. Not only do they have to look out for a devastating running back in Le’Veon Bell (378 yards, second-most in the league), they also have to watch out for Ben Roethlisberger’s bombs to speedy receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton.
For the Jags defense to have success against Pittsburgh, they’ll need to establish the pass rush early against the Steelers’ porous line. Jaguars’ defensive end Andre Branch (three sacks and two forced fumbles in four games) should lead the way in this respect.
The Jacksonville Jaguars sport identical 0-4 straight up and ATS records. The total has also gone over in Jacksonville’s four games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Jaguars put up a spirited fight to cover +7. However, the Steelers squeak by with a win.
