Jaguars' Greatest Games - Steelers vs. Jaguars, 2006

by Shane Clemons on Mar 23, 2011 9:56 AM EDT in Moment in Jacksonville Jaguars History

Today's game was all about defense. A true to form battle. On September 18, 2006, the Jaguars played host to the defending Super Bowl champions, the Steelers, on Monday Night football. The stadium was absolutely electric, as; the Jaguars had one of the best defensive units in the league. This was the height of the "yeah but" in reference to the Jaguars. Nevertheless, the Jaguars showed up for this primetime game, and gave the national audience one of the most physical displays in recent history.

At the time, both teams were off to a quick start to the year at 1-0. Unfortunately, both teams were also destined to miss the playoffs, but at his point, this is the only game from that season that I remember vividly. Roethlisberger threw for just 141 yards, and the Steelers players combined for just 26 yards on the ground. The Steelers defense wasn't quite as unforgiving. Leftwich threw for 260 yards, and the Jaguars ran for 110 yards on the ground.

At halftime of this game, the two teams had popped each other square in the jaw, and the score remained deadlocked at 0. The Jaguars were finally able to penetrate far enough into Steelers' territory in the 3rd quarter to kick a chipshot 31 yard field goal. The kick squeaked inside the right upright, and it gave the Jaguars the first points of the game.

One would have thought that the Steelers offense would've came out of the halftime break fired up and ready to go, but that wasn't the case. The Jaguars manhandled the defending champs but were themselves unable to pull away. The Jaguars were able to tack on another three points, but the lead remained vulnerable when Rashean Mathis saved the day.

The Steelers were beginning to get near midfield when Big Ben threw a dart that was snagged by Mathis. The interception gave the Jaguars ball deep in Steelers' territory. The ensuing drive only netted 5 yards, but it was enough for Josh Scobee to deliver a 42 yard dagger that would give the Jaguars a 9-0 lead, and it was the eventual final score. The win set the tone for the rest of the year for that young Jaguars team. They would later obliterate the Jets 41-0, but for some reason, that 9-0 victory felt like the crowing achievement of the 2006 Jaguars.

If you'd like to see the highlights of the game, click here.

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MOJOs 2nd career game !

by FgallosJAGS on Mar 23, 2011 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

One of my favorite games of all time. The stadium was absolutely on fire that night.

For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~Carl Sagan

by JLydon37 on Mar 23, 2011 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

This game was amazing.

I was so proud of our defense. I haven’t felt that in a long time.

by JPQ! on Mar 23, 2011 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Nice

Perhaps pictures of the actual game instead of 2 year old photos of the Jets game?

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."- Jack Handey

by Jagtastic on Mar 23, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry,

I can’t do anything about that. As a writer on here, I’m only allowed to use the photos in BCC’s files or one’s I personally took, and BCC’s photos don’t go back that far.

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by Shane Clemons on Mar 23, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah

bummer

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."- Jack Handey

by Jagtastic on Mar 23, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Classic Game

One of the best , made me proud to be a Jags fan and it was great how we made a statement on primetime T V . We need to build up our D again !!!!

L F J

by Daddycrapper on Mar 23, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

This is my #1 favorite Jaguars game I've ever been to.

Oh man was it intense. The hitting and the defense was just nuts on both sides. I remember when it was 6-0, the Steelers got a nice drive down into Jags territory and were threatening to score. And it was like “NOO!! We shut em down for 3 and a half quarters and now they’re just gonna score a TD and win.” Fortunately, we held.

by Brian Levenson on Mar 23, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

I can only imagine what it would've been like.

I remember watching it on TV and thinking, man that place has been rocking all game long! It was incredible nonetheless.

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by Shane Clemons on Mar 23, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

"...this is the only game from that season that I remember vividly"

You don’ t remember the Jaguars destroying the Colts that year 44-17? When we were close to having 3 rushers over 100 yards in one game…

by jagfanbrett on Mar 23, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

I remember specific plays from that game

such as the Jaguars first and second plays that quickly covered the field. I remember the second half opening kickoff, and I seem to remember a Colts’ receiver dropping a wide open TD on the Colts’ first possession, but by and large, the rest isn’t too clear. I do remember loving every minute of it though.

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by Shane Clemons on Mar 23, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

good 'ol rashean

by Dawool Huh on Mar 23, 2011 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

yep. i was at that night game. i couldn’t talk the next day for all the yelling and screaming i did all night. it was well worth it. also, wasn’t big ben coming back from the flu?

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Mar 24, 2011 11:13 PM EDT reply actions