Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

This week the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars. The 8:15pm game will be a nationally televised on NBC.

Before reading this week’s key match-ups, please read my Steelers-Jaguars Preview here.

Ordinarily, I would focus on the key individual match-ups that are likely to determine the outcome of the game. However, there are extenuating circumstances that need to be considered before looking at individual match-ups.

Following their Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers limp into Jacksonville with a depleted line-up. Offensively, the Steelers will be without running backs Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, and Carey Davis. Their running game was left so short-handed after the Ravens game that the Steelers had to sign two new players (Najeh Davenport and Gary Davis) in order to field more than the lone running back (Mewelde Moore) that remained healthy.

While the Steelers will still attempt to run the ball like they usually do, they can’t be expected to have the same measure of success as usual when fielding their 4th string running back and two JV players.

On defense, the Steelers will be missing 2/3 of their defensive front line. Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton and defensive end Brett Kiesel are both out. This will have an effect (though not a devastating one) on the Steelers’ defense.

On the opposite side of the ball, the Jaguars running attack has been ineffectual. The Jags have failed to hold onto a 4th quarter lead in 3 consecutive games. David Garrard’s arm, and not Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew’s legs, have carried the Jaguars.

Because of those uncontrollable circumstances, these dynamics will probably control the game:

Steelers running backs vs. Jaguars defense

Mewelde Moore was once a starting running back for the Vikings. He is an experienced veteran in the NFL. However, he is no Willie Parker. For that matter, he’s no Carey Davis (which isn’t saying a lot). Admit it Steelers fans, you were surprised when he made that one long run against the Ravens. I was too.

If the Steelers have to rely on Najeh Davenport or Gary Russell for significant carries, it is going to be a very long day. Both players watched the Steelers’ game against the Ravens with a beer in one hand and a remote control in the other. While the Jaguars defense is not as intimidating as they once were, they should be able to handle the Steelers’ 4th string running back and two couch potatoes. Advantage: Jaguars.

Jaguars running backs vs. Steelers Defense

Despite having a difficult year so far, Fred Taylor is still a Steelers killer. He always comes to play against the black n gold. And unfortunately, they can never seem to stop him. They cannot stop him on the ground. They cannot stop him with a hound. They cannot stop his forward run. They cannot stop it with a gun. They cannot stop him here or there. They cannot stop him anywhere.

Maurice Jones-Drew has rushed for less than 35 yards in three of the Jaguars 4 games this season. Can you say “scrub”, boys and girls?

The Steelers D is ranked #2 in the NFL. James Harrison is playing at a Pro Bowl level once again, and LaMarr Woodley is a budding superstar. Troy Polamalu is healthy again, and despite being a safety, he often lines up like a linebacker in Dick LeBeau’s defensive scheme. Even the loss of Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel has not slowed the Steelers D. Chris Hoke is an underrated backup, and the Steelers seldom miss a beat when he comes in for Casey Hampton. Despite my earlier Dr. Seuss rhyme, Advantage: Steelers.

Steelers Offensive Line vs. Jaguars rush

The Steelers offensive line hasn’t been able to stop anybody lately. Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 729 times in the last 4 games. In fact, I think the Philadelphia Eagles are STILL sending blitzers after Big Ben. If I were Roethlisberger, I’d be doing everything in my power to try to undo whatever it is that he did that has made his offensive line hate him. Perhaps he can fly them all to Hawaii with him when he goes to the Pro Bowl. Oh wait, he already tried that. Nevermind.

Fortunately for Roethlisberger, the Jaguars defense seems to be allergic to sacks. Last week against the mighty Texans (yes, that’s sarcasm you hear in my voice), Jacksonville had a whopping zero sacks. For once, I don’t fear for Big Ben’s life going into a game. Advantage: Neither.

Steelers Receivers vs. Jaguars Secondary

The Jaguars secondary is almost as banged up as the Steelers running backs. CB Rashean Mathis has 5 interceptions in his last 4 games against the Steelers. However, his is battling a shin injury suffered against the Texans, and he hasn’t practiced this week. Safety Reggie Nelson didn’t play last week after injuring his knee the previous week. His status is questionable. Scott Starks is out for the year with an ACL injury. Chad Nkang is on the PUP list. The Jaguars have been reduced to signing high school players to fill their defensive backfield (okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit. But not much). With Jacksonvilles DB’s in such bad shape, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes should be able to get 9 touchdown apiece in this game (but we’ll settle for one apiece). Advantage: Steelers.

Now let’s take a look at a few individual match-ups that may have an impact on the game.

Ike Taylor vs. Matt Jones

Jones has emerged David Garrard’s favorite target. He’s big, he’s fast, and he’s finally learned how to catch the ball. Fortunately, Ike Taylor is also big and fast. Despite having hands of stone, Taylor usually does a good job of stopping some of the best receivers in the league. Advantage: Steelers.

James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley vs. David Garrard

Since the Jaguars haven’t been able to run the ball this year, they’ve been forced to rely on David Garrard’s arm to win games. Despite being slow as molasses, Garard also manages to make plays with his legs. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are going to have to keep pressure on Garrard to keep him from picking the Steelers’ defense apart. Advantage: Steelers.

Chris Kemoeatu vs. John Henderson

Kemo has shown that he basically sucks in pass protection. Fortunately, he is big (6’3″, 344 lbs.). He is going to need every bit of his size to battle man-mountain John Henderson. “Big John” is 6’7″, and weighs 335 lbs. Hopefully, Kemo and Henderson will be magnetically drawn together by their respective gravitational fields and essentially rendered motionless. If this doesn’t happen, Kemo is toast. Advantage: Jaguars.

The real X-factor in this game will probably prove to be the Jacksonville fans. The game is being played in Jacksonville, where their fans get up for the Steelers more than they do for any other opponent. It is going to be tough for the Steelers to go in there and get a win. It is definitely going to be a loud, hostile environment for the Black and gold.

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This Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars. Both teams are coming off tough overtime victories last week. The Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20, while the Jaguars beat the Houston Texans 30-27.

This is a rivalry that dates back to when both teams played in the old AFC Central division (1995-2001). Jacksonville enjoys a 12-8 advantage in the all-time series against the Steelers, including winning the last 4. Three of those 4 wins were in Pittsburgh, and last season Jacksonville became the first team to beat Pittsburgh twice at home during the same season.

But that was then, and this is now. What fans will see on Sunday night is not your father’s Steelers-Jaguars game.

Typically, Steelers-Jaguars has meant two twin teams meeting in a battle to establish physical superiority. Both teams believed in running the ball, and playing physical defense. Those elements will primarily be missing from the game this Sunday.

On offense, the Steelers’ running backs are all banged up. Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, and Carey Davis are all out with injuries. The Steelers will be starting their 4th string running back, Mewelde Moore. Their other two running backs (Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell) weren’t even on the roster last week, and they may use their 3rd string tight end as a fullback. Uhhh, Ben Roethlisberger had better be prepared to throw the ball………Often.

The Jaguars’ running game isn’t looking much more intimidating than the Steelers’. Though they still boast running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jacksonville running game has struggled this year. If you disregard a 41-yard run on a fake punt play, the Jaguars have failed to break 100 yards rushing in 3 of their first 4 games. That is not typical Jaguars football.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jacksonville is no longer the physical juggernaut that “pimp slapped” the Steelers twice last year. DT Marcus Stroud, the Jaguars former defensive leader, now plays for the Buffalo Bills. John Henderson, the other mammoth defensive tackle for the Jaguars has not been as effective without Stroud by his side. Moreover, the left side of their line is starting to show their age. DLE Paul Spicer is 33 (going on 50), and DLT Rob Meier is 31. Defensive end Reggie Hayward hasn’t been the same since he tore his achilles two years ago. The Jaguars drafted defensive linemen with the first 2 picks in the 2008 draft, but neither Derrick Harvey nor Quentin Groves has had any impact.

The Jaguars vaunted “physical” defense has played like pussycats. They have only 5 sacks all year. By comparison, Steelers linebacker James Harrison already has 5.5 sacks all by himself. The Jaguars weren’t able to sack Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, even though Schaub had been sacked 8 times in the Texans’ prior two games. The lack of pressure from the kittycats….errr, I mean the Jaguars, was the primary reason that Schaub was able to pass for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns while converting 9 of 13 third down attempts.

The Jaguars linebackers aren’t playing much better. LB’s Mike Peterson and Darryl Smith are playing poorly, and Clint Ingram couldn’t stop a play action pass if you told him it was coming.

The Jaguar’s secondary is banged up. Starting safety Reggie Nelson didn’t play last week due to a bruised knee. Starting cornerback Rashean Mathis bruised his knee in the 2nd quarter against the Texans and had to leave the game. Nickel back Scott Starks was already out for the year with a knee injury. Even when healthy, Rashean Mathis and cornerback Drayton Florence spend so much time chasing opposing receivers that they probably feel like Swedish sprinters facing Usain Bolt.

Contrarily, the one thing that IS the same as it’s always been in this series is the Steelers’ defense. The Steelers defense is ranked 2nd in the NFL in points allowed, and 2nd in sacks (with 15). The Steelers linebackers are arguably the best in the NFL. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley make up an almost unstoppable tandem at outside linebacker. Even playing without Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton, the Steelers front line has stood their ground. Chris Hoke, Travis Kirschke, and Nick Eason have filled in very competently for the injured starters.

So to recap, a weak Steelers offense faces a weak Jaguars defense, and a weak Jaguars offense faces a strong Steelers defense. If the Steelers offensive line can protect Ben Roethlisberger (and that’s a BIG “if”), the Steelers should be able to win this one on the strength of their defense.

I predict the Steelers come out of this game with a 4-1 record, beating the Jaguars 24-14.

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