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The Jacksonville Jaguars traveled to Pittsburgh to face off against an old AFC Central rival in the Steelers. They have had many good memories on this field, could they make another one again today?
After a Jaguars three-and-out to start the game, the Steelers put points on the board on their first drive. After a 49-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown set them up in the red zone, the defense was able to hold them to a field goal. Chris Boswell made the field goal, giving the Steelers a 3-0 lead.
The Jaguars would have another disappointing dive, though this time they at least got a first down. The defense obviously needed to make a play to give this team a jolt. Well what would you know? On the following drive, Jalen Ramsey, arguably the best cornerback in the league, picked off Roethlisberger with a diving interception, one that closely resembled his one against the Baltimore Ravens two weeks prior.
The Jaguars responded how they needed to, as Leonard Fournette leaped into thr end-zone superman style, capping off an eight-play, 47-yard drive by the offense. Myers knocked in the extra point, giving the Jaguars their first lead of the day at 7-3.
After three consecutive drives where neither team landed points, the Jaguars seemed in prime position to do so after a botched punt by the Steelers punted gave them good field position at the Steelers 47 yard line. Then, full Jaguars happened, as a Blake Bortles pass to James O’Shaughnessy was picked off, as O’Shaughnessy caught the ball, landed on top of a Steelers defender, and had the ball ripped out while on top of the defender by Ryan Shazier.
The Steelers took advantage of the late half turnover, getting in field goal range and allowing Boswell to kick a 34-yard field goal that cut the lead to 7-6.
The Steelers go the ball to begin the second half, and took no tiem driving downt he field against the Jaguars defense. On third and goal from the two-yard line, A.J. Bouye was able to prevent Brown from catching a pass in the corner of the end-zone, which held the Steelers to a field goal try. Boswell made the 20-yard field goal, giving them the lead at 9-7.
The Jaguars punted after a three-and-out, and just when it started to look like everything was going wrong, pandemonium would happen.
Telvin Smith intercepted a pass from Roethlisberger that Abry Jones got a hand one, and took it to the house for a pick six. Myers missed the extra point though, only giving the Jaguars a 13-9 lead.
And just six plays later, deja vu would ensue for Roethlisberger, as he threw another pick-six, this time Barry Church catching the interception off a Jalen Ramsey tip. Church took it into the end zone after following a couple few blocks, giving the Jaguars two huge defensive plays on consecutive possessions.
The Steelers would be held up again on offense, this time being held close to midfield by a Calais Campbell sack. The Steelers would punt to the four-yard line, and my favorite drive of the whole year would begin.
The Jaguars ran the ball 12 straight times for 67 yards. The drive took up half the quarter, and they ran it down the Steelers’ throats. The best part? Leonard Fournette breaking a tackle, then waving on Mike Mitchell to come and hit him, while he bulldozed over him for a first down.
LEONARD FOURNETTE WAVED ON THE HIT! pic.twitter.com/5MaNCZ5zMd
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) October 8, 2017
Shoot that play into my veins.
The Jaguars had to settle for a field goal, but that drive was a game defining one for them. They bullied the Steelers, just exactly how they want to play. Myers made the 47-yard field, extending the lead to 23-9.
With time to still come back, the Steelers started their drive hoping to cut the lead down. The Jaguars defense came away huge again, as Tashaun Gipson picked off Roethlisberger for his fourth interception of the day.
In another last-ditch effort to come back in the game, the Steelers drove down the field inside the Jaguars’ 30-yard line. How did it end, you may ask? Well, just how a lot of Steelers drives ended this game. Gipson picked off Roethlisberger for a second time at the goal line, sealing a victory for the Jaguars on the road.
To cap it off, Leonard Fournette added on a 90-yard touchdown run to press down one final time on the Steelers’ throat. Myers made the extra point, and the Jaguars had a 30-9 lead.
Five interceptions, folks. Five. This defense is making a case to be the best in the league.
The Jaguars are now 3-2 on the years and come back home to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, their second true home game of the season.