The Jacksonville Jaguars have six wins through eight weeks for the first time since the turn of the century. With a 20-10 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jaguars have won five straight.
While the Jaguars offense turned the ball over three times and failed to score a touchdown on any of their three red zone trips, there was a pretty clear disparity in effectiveness on the day. Jacksonville’s offense moved the ball into Steelers territory at will and Pittsburgh rarely found room against the Jaguars defense.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a rough interception early, but finished with 292 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers’ combination of Kenny Pickett (who left with a rib injury) and Mitchell Trubisky had 212 yards with two picks from the latter.
Here’s how the Jaguars’ 10-point Week 8 win went down:
Jaguars MVP of the game: RB Travis Etienne Jr
Etienne didn’t get two rushing touchdowns for the first time in four weeks, but he had a receiving one. The Jaguars running back had 149 yards from scrimmage, picking up 79 on the ground and 70 through the air.
Steelers MVP of the game: WR Diontae Johnson
On a day where the Steelers offense couldn’t do much of anything for most of the game, the few signs of life came from Johnson. He was targeted 14 times (no other Steelers player had more than six) and caught eight for 85 yards.
Jaguars play of the game: Etienne's 56-yard touchdown reception
Hope to see more of this.@Trevorlawrencee | @swaggy_t1 pic.twitter.com/qemQ1fvKSa
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 29, 2023
All of the Jaguars’ first half scoring came from kicker Brandon McManus after the offense shot itself in the foot on several drives that reached Steelers territory. The touchdown drought finally ended when Etienne, who was split out wide, burned the Pittsburgh defense on a go route down the right sideline.
It was over when ... Evan Engram set up a 4th field goal for Brandon McManus
Evan Engram gets a first down and much more on 1st and 20.
📺: #JAXvsPIT on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Quwvdzpx7G pic.twitter.com/jyDnGrM4ZH— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
After a holding penalty put the Jaguar behind the sticks, Engram immediately nullified it and extinguished much hope for the Steelers with a 34-yard gain. Four plays later, McManus came in to nail a 37-yarder. His fourth successful field goal of the day put the Jaguars up 10 against a lifeless Pittsburgh offense with less than five minutes left.
Stat that says it all: Jaguars 377 yards, Steelers 262 yards
Like most Jaguars games this season, it wasn’t pretty. Jacksonville turned the ball over three times and was 0-for-3 on its red zone trips. But the Jaguars didn’t squeak out a lucky win. They dominated in just about every facet.
The 377 yards of total offense was their third most this season and the 262 yards allowed was a season-best for the defense.
What's next?
The Jaguars will be on bye in Week 9 giving a team that was without Zay Jones, Tyson Campbell, and Andre Cisco on Sunday some much needed rest and recovery time. Their next game is at home in two weeks against the San Francisco 49ers, who are also on bye after a Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
