Pittsburgh Steelers v Jacksonville Jaguars preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Which Pittsburgh Steelers team shows up against the Jacksonville Jaguars?
Is it the team that rolled up 454 yards — including 229 on the ground — in a convincing road win over the Panthers in week three, or the Steelers who dominated the statistical categories but watched as its secondary faltered in the final 90 seconds of a home loss against the Buccaneers last week? With both the Bengals and Ravens bolting out of the gate, a loss at Jacksonville is one Pittsburgh can ill afford.
On paper, this screams “Steelers rout.” The 0-4 Jaguars are 30th in total offense while their defense ranks dead last, allowing a staggering 451.3 yards and 38 points per game. At this pace, Jacksonville’s defense could rival the 38.5 points allowed by the 1950 Baltimore Colts, a number that still stands out for worst defense in NFL history honors.
Jacksonville’s defensive struggles works right into a Steelers offense that is fourth overall. Pittsburgh ranks in the top 10 in both rushing (5th) and passing (8th). Second-year running back Le’Veon Bell is on pace for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and has given quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the ideal play-action partner that allows wide receiver Antonio Brown to deliver big plays on a consistent basis.
Brown leads the Steelers with 29 catches for 457 yards and five touchdowns. He trails only Julio Jones of the Falcons (11) and the Ravens’ Steve Smith, Sr. (8) in receptions over 20 yards, as he enters Sunday with seven.
Sunday will mark the home debut of first round pick Blake Bortles as the team’s quarterback. Bortles completed 29 of 37 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions and was sacked three times in last week’s 33-14 loss at the Chargers.
The Steelers actually trail in the head-to-head against the Jaguars, who hold an 11-10 mark against their former AFC Central rivals. The last four games between the pair have been decided by a touchdown or less, including Pittsburgh’s 17-13 win the previous time the two paired off in October of 2011.
Details for Sunday’s game are below:
Date: Sunday, October 5
Start Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Stadium: EverBank Field
TV Info: CBS
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: NFL Audio Pass
Ticket information: For Jacksonville Jaguars ticket info click here. For Pittsburgh Steelers ticket info click here.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: PIT -6
Moneyline: PIT -260 JAX +220
O/U: 47
Prediction
Final Score: Team X: 00, Team X: 00