Jags @ Steelers Game Thread

[Haterproof]

I'm actually a bit surprised that it seems so many are giving JAX so much of a shot to beat a vastly superior Steelers team at Heinz. I just don't see it other than the Steelers turning the ball over a few times and giving JAX short fields.

I know a lot of people hate to bring up the past/history! Jacksonville historically plays well at Heinz field regular and postseason!

 

[Angelpats]

I think the jags will win. AB is still healing from a torn calf, they have no shazier. I think the bills have a better defense so Bortles should be better because he can’t be much worse. Closer game since the first one they played.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I know a lot of people hate to bring up the past/history! Jacksonville historically plays well at Heinz field regular and postseason!

Understood. Maybe that will make a difference. But I just look at their QB, and I just don't have confidence it them going in and beating PIT. But that's why they play the game.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Yep, even during their 30-9 victory earlier in the year they only racked up around 200+ yards of offense prior to Fournette’s garbage time long run.

To take it one step further, I don’t believe that anyone has gone into Heinz field and won twice in the same year. I think you’d have to go back awhile just to see someone do it at Three Rivers stadium, too. I don’t see JAX having any type of shot to win this game.

That's a great bit of trivia there, Supa. Even we lost the first time in '04.

 

[RIpats88]

They have a chance. They beat them before. And it isnt out of the realm of possibility that the Steelers lay an Egg in the Divisional round. We dont know how healthy antonio brown is(obviously wont until the game starts) and they could be rusty from taking week 16 off.

we will see. Even if the steelers win, that jags defense is physical and they could be beat up.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Jags defense needs to stop bell and make Ben throw to non-brown receivers and they should be able to create turnovers.

Put Tomlin in a pressure situation at the end of the game and he will make the wrong decision 99 times out of 100.

 

[supafly]

That's a great bit of trivia there, Supa. Even we lost the first time in '04.

I overheard some of the local media members discussing it. I’d love to know when the last time it was done in Pittsburgh, if ever. Definitely not at Heinz field, that’s for sure. You’d have to go back and look at the postseason home losses and then compare them to their regular season losses at home, but frankly, I’m just not bored or patient enough to do it at the moment.

 

[livinginthe past]

1. The thing I am most interested in, is the Steelers reaction to being punched in the mouth a few times. Without question they are one of the most talented offensive rosters in the league but they are carrying quite a few egos who like to play the blame game - Roethlisberger, Bell, Bryant and Brown have all had their share of diva hissy-fits.
If the Jags get on top early and stop them doing what they want - we'll see Bell sulking and Ben trying to force every other ball to Brown.

2. Speaking of Brown, call me a sceptic on exactly how fit he will be this weekend - had a very pronounced limp 4-5 days ago. Dude is a hell of a player though.

3. The Jags OC has a week to get creative with Bortles - throwing endless screens and short passes (that Bortles managed to miss anyway) is a recipe of not moving the ball at all. Run the ball often, and take your shots down the field off PA - the Steelers DB's might be the weakest unit on the whole team - Mitchell regularly takes bad angles and makes bad decisions.

4. As Jax, you are playing with house money - unload the playbook, unexpected onsides, trick plays - anything to get extra offensive possessions - the 4th down TD was a good call v Buffalo.

5. My baseline for this game is that Jax give Pitt a good working over, make it tough battle for at least 3 quarters. I still think Pitt will run away in the 4th - something like 31-13.

 

[PatsDeb]

I know a lot of people hate to bring up the past/history! Jacksonville historically plays well at Heinz field regular and postseason!

I hope they have a chance, but that O was putrid yesterday. It figures only Buffalo could play even worse. I am hoping the Pats can play well and win big on Saturday, then get ready for what feels like an inevitable tilt with the Steelers the following week.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Yep, even during their 30-9 victory earlier in the year they only racked up around 200+ yards of offense prior to Fournette’s garbage time long run.

To take it one step further, I don’t believe that anyone has gone into Heinz field and won twice in the same year. I think you’d have to go back awhile just to see someone do it at Three Rivers stadium, too. I don’t see JAX having any type of shot to win this game.

The last team to do it?

The Jags:

 

[TommyD4207]

I prefer Pittsburgh. NE would easily blow them out from start to finish. It would never be a serious contest.

A game against Jax would be a guaranteed victory as well, except it would be more akin to last year's Divisional round game against Houston. A close game for a half, until NE finally pulls away and wins by about 20.

I completely agree with this. Jacksonville has excellent CBs and a really good pass rush, led by one of the best defensive players in the league in Calais Campbell.

Pittsburgh is the Triple Bye scenario. Pittsburgh please.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Maybe Mr Facebook Live is ok.

 

[BobDigital]

Jags defense just need a couple of pick-6. Only then Big Ben will get rattle and stop thinking about the game and Small Benny start looking for girl to push into the bathroom.

That is another reason they could win. One mistake by Ben and that week 5 game is back in his head and it snowballs.

 

[The Brandon Five]

The last team to do it?

The Jags:

One place this has never happened? Gillette Stadium.

 

[1960Pats]

Jimmy shredded the Jags. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers borrow a lot of the concepts from that game. While the Jags beat the Steelers earlier this year, it required a confluence of unlikely events, and I don't see the game playing out the same way this time. Big Ben is so much better than bottles. I think we play the Steelers again, provided we take care of business.

And, barring a meltdown, that means back to the super bowl.

Romo talked about that SF/Jags game during the Buffalo game. According to him the Jags worked a lot in practice on the bootleg passes that worked so well against them vs SF. They had it covered well vs the Bills.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I overheard some of the local media members discussing it. I’d love to know when the last time it was done in Pittsburgh, if ever. Definitely not at Heinz field, that’s for sure. You’d have to go back and look at the postseason home losses and then compare them to their regular season losses at home, but frankly, I’m just not bored or patient enough to do it at the moment.

And nor would I ask you to undertake that most boring of time investments, good sir. LOL Nah, it's really not that serious to me. We're on to the Titans.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Maybe Mr Facebook Live is ok.

He's doing that where there are palm trees. Let's see how he moves with a wind chill of 5 degrees on Sunday.

 

[The Brandon Five]

And nor would I ask you to undertake that most boring of time investments, good sir. LOL Nah, it's really not that serious to me. We're on to the Titans.

Already done (above).

 

[denverpatsfan]

No shot. This game will be 14-0 Steelers before I even tune it. The Rapist is no Blake Bortles.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Already done (above).

Dude, I literally just saw your post at the same time that you posted this reply. Thanks for finding that info!