It was a game that was heated by an old rivarly back to the AFC Central days. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in a turning point of the season to the second quarter of the 2014-2015 season. The Jaguars looked to improve on defense that played awful in the first 4 games. Only allowing 10 points on the defensive side of the football, and even a red zone stop with a forced fumble by Defensive Tackle Abry Jones in the fourth quarter was a great confidence booster for a relatively young defense. However, the offense couldn't reward the defense's efforts.
What was a main focus for the Jaguars offense was to try to get past Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau's showings against rookie quarterbacks with a 17-2 record against them going into the game. It was the worst showing, so far, for the rookie Quarterback Blake Bortles with a 22/36 (61%) completion rate while racking up 191 yards and 2 interceptions, including the pivotal pick six after the Steelers turnover forced by Abry Jones.
“I can’t make that mistake again and definitely can’t check out of play into a pick six,” Bortles said.
The leading receiver for the day was Wide Receiver Allen Robinson with 5 receptions for 51 yards in a rather depleted receiving core still missing both Wide Receivers Marqise Lee and Cecil Shorts III with both having hamstring issues, as well as Tight End Marcedes Lewis with a high ankle sprain.
The running game didn't help, either. The Jaguars only ran the ball 15 times yesterday, with Blake Bortles rushing for 4 attempts, and ended up with 56 yards. However, it was debuting rookie Running Back Storm Johnson with 4 carries for 27 yards to lead the rushing game. As well as the fact that the Jaguars were only 3/12 (25%) on third down.
What was the positive side for the Jaguars Sunday was the better play for the defense. The defense managed to get 4 sacks and held the Steelers to 10 points. The defense allowed for 372 yards in total for the Steelers offense, however, they didn't have star players Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown to have an impact on the scoreboard, however it didn't matter in the end.
The growing pains continuues for this Jaguars side who's year is looking to just get better on the field. However, next week they have to face a rather vunerable Tennessee Titans team that looks not-so-good with Charlie Whitehurst at Quarterback, if Jake Locker isn't ready to go. Can the Jaguars move forward to now face their second divisonal game of the season? It all depends on execution for this young tea, and see if they can look forward and finally get a win in a hostile environment Sunday.
