The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9 largely thanks to Brice McCain’s pick-6
On sheer numbers, the Steelers dominated the Jaguars, yet needed Brice McCain’s 22-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to escape with a 17-9 win on the road Sunday afternoon.
McCain’s decisive pick came just two plays after Abry Jones sacked Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, forcing a fumble that Andre Branch recovered at the Jacksonville 17. The interception was the second of the afternoon for rookie Blake Bortles, who threw for 191 yards in his first career start at home.
The Steelers (3-2) outgained the Jaguars (0-5) by a 372-243 margin while also holding a 35:17-24:43 edge in time of possession, yet were unable to shake off a defense that entered the day allowing a league-worst 38.5 points per game. Sunday marked the first time this year Jacksonville’s defense did not allow more than 34 points.
Roethlisberger completed 26 of 36 passes for 273 yards and accounted for the game’s lone offensive touchdown, a 1-yard pass to tight end Michael Palmer with 1:53 left in the first half that gave the Steelers a 10-3 lead. Bortles then responded with passes of 13 yards to Allen Robinson and 18 yards to Jordan Todman on a drive that led to Scobee’s 35-yard field goal that cut the margin to 10-6 at the half.
Scobee added a 36-yard field goal with 3:16 left in the third quarter that moved the Jaguars to 10-9.
Pittsburgh was able to consume the final 4:05 of the day, as Roethlisberger’s 16-yard completion to Antonio Brown in the final two minutes sealed the deal for the Steelers.
Jacksonville’s failure to convert on third down, along with a ground game that managed just 56 yards on 15 carries, kept the Jaguars from making a legitimate bid at their first win of the season.
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