Game 6 : Steelers vs. Jaguars : 10.16.11

[Kipper]

[Steelreign]

I look for the Steelers to play good in back to back games for the first time this season. This is another get healthy game that they should be able to perform well in all phases. It would be great to see another solid performance from the O-Line and a QB who stays on his feet for another game.

[War Machine]

This week (as every week) I took a scout around the upcoming opposition's fan sites, just to see what was being kicked around out there. A fair few of their sites are as empty as their stadium!

In one place, however, I saw a post that reckoned that the Jaguars "owned the Steelers during a heated rivalry". Really? Seven years totaling fourteen games, which the Jaguars had an 8-6 advantage. That ended eleven years ago with re-alignment.

Really? If you wanna be delusional, remember to take precautions whilst operating heavy machinery.

In the mean time, it's nearly time to get the vittles on the go!

[Palmetto Steel]

[Palmetto Steel]

... HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!!...

[Palmetto Steel]

Steelers vs. Jaguars key matchups

MIKE WALLACE vs. RASHEAN MATHIS

Rashean Mathis has only been to the Pro Bowl once in his first eight years with the Jaguars. That was in 2006 when he tied for third in the NFL with eight interceptions. But when Morris has played against the Steelers over the years, he's been All-World. Mathis' resume includes 30 career interceptions, and six have come in the five games Mathis played against the Steelers. And of those six, he's returned three for touchdowns.

Certainly Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger knows about Mathis. On Sept. 16, 2006, the Steelers lost 9-0 in Jacksonville on Monday Night Football. In that game, Roethlisberger threw two interceptions. Mathis had both picks. But Mathis' signature game as a pro came on Jan. 5, 2008, when the Jaguars upset the Steelers at Heinz Field in a wild-card playoff game, 31-29. In that game, Mathis had two interceptions, including one he returned 63 yards for a touchdown.

"The guy's been in the league for a while, so I think he spends a lot of time studying, and maybe reading me," Roethlisberger said. "So I have to do a good job (today) making sure I read him."

Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians believes Mathis will lock in on speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace for most of today's game. After all, Wallace ranks third in the NFL in receiving yards (536) and is tied for fifth in receptions (31).

Mathis will probably get some help from a safety at times. But even in times when Wallace is double-teamed, Roethlisberger will look for his favorite target.

"As long as Mike sticks with me, we'll get him the ball," Roethlisberger said. "That's what I told him."

STEELERS' DEFENSE vs. BLAINE GABBERT

For Blaine Gabbert, it's baptism by fire. Last week in his third pro start, he faced the NFL's top-ranked defense (Cincinnati). Next week, he'll face the No. 3 defense (Baltimore). Today, he faces No. 2 (Pittsburgh).

The former Missouri star may have a bright future as a pro, but right now he's going through some tough growing pains. That's because coach Jack Del Rio threw him into the cauldron after cutting incumbent QB David Garrard just five days before the season opener. After starting Luke McCown for two games, Del Rio turned to the Jaguars' first-round draft pick in Week 3. But the Jaguars (1-4) are 0-3 in games Gabbert has started.

"He's been terrific," Del Rio insists even though the Jags ranked last in the NFL in total offense and passing offense. "When you look at the tape, you have to be excited about what Blaine Gabbert is doing. He's making some great throws."

Today, though, Gabbert faces the NFL's No. 1 pass defense. The Steelers plan to stuff the run - like they did last week by holding Tennessee's Chris Johnson to 51 rushing yards - and then harassing the quarterback.

"He's looking forward to the challenge," Del Rio said of Gabbert facing the Steelers on their home turf. "Certainly I don't know many quarterbacks that look forward to playing against Dick LeBeau's defense and some of the star players they have over there, and they are a good unit. But certainly we embrace all of the challenges that we face and I know that he is excited about the opportunity."

[Palmetto Steel]

GAME PLAN

When the Jaguars have the ball: The Jaguars have scored only five touchdowns and average an AFC-worst 11.8 ppg. Two of those TDs came in last week's loss to the Bengals, giving hope that rookie QB Blaine Gabbert and the offense are gradually improving. The offense revolves around RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who has 3,191 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns since 2009. He is also fourth in team history in career receptions (242), making him a difficult matchup for a linebacker. Gabbert will make his fourth start and he's beginning to recognize coverages. He has three touchdowns and only two interceptions in 97 attempts, although he's completing only 49.5 percent of his passes. The Jaguars could be without LT Eugene Monroe, who aggravated a shoulder injury against the Bengals. If so, RT Guy Whimper will move to the left side and LG Eben Britton will move to right tackle, his former spot. Rookie Will Rackley would start at left guard.

When the Steelers have the ball: The Jaguars spent $112 million in free agency, mainly to help bolster their defense with players such as MLB Paul Posluszny (Hopewell High School, Penn State), Clint Session (Pitt), DE Matt Roth and S Dawan Landry. The additions have been helpful: The Jaguars have moved up from 28th in 2010 to eighth in total defense. RB Rashard Mendenhall (hamstring), who did not play against the Titans, is expected to start. DE Aaron Kampman (knee) could return. That should help the pressure on QB Ben Roethlisberge. OLB Daryl Smith, who sustained a concussion against the Bengals, and CB Derek Cox (groin), who did not play last week, could be out. Smith is an every-down player and his replacement, Russell Allen, likely would come out in sub packages. William Middleton would start for Cox. Their biggest concern is Mike Wallace, who leads the Steelers with 31 catches for 536 yards and three TDs.

KEEP AN EYE ON ...

WR Mike Thomas ... Of the 15 receivers selected ahead of him in the 2009 NFL draft, only three have had more catches -- Jeremy McClain, Hakeem Nicks and Percy Harvin, all first-round picks. Thomas has 137 catches for 1,538 yards and six touchdowns in 35 games for the Jaguars, including a team-high 23 for 265 yards in 2011. Only New England's Wes Welker (65) and Atlanta's Roddy White (54) have been targeted more this season than Thomas (48). What's more, he leads the AFC with 11 catches on third down.

INTANGIBLES

The Jaguars have won three in a row at Heinz Field and five of the past six meetings in Pittsburgh, including a playoff game in 2007 that ended Mike Tomlin's first season as coach. However, they have lost four in a row after a season-opening victory against Tennessee and eight of their past nine, dating to 2010. The Jaguars have lost four in a row and five of their past six on the road. ... This is the fourth consecutive game against an AFC South team for the Steelers, who are 2-1 in those games. The Steelers have won their past seven games at home, including postseason.

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, the Jaguars must ...

1 Send men at Ben. Roethlisberger was sacked only once against the Titans and was very effective with a quick-rhythm passing game.

2 Produce points. Their offense averages just one touchdown per game and has generated just 59 points, including only 13 in the second half.

3 Have Mike be like Mike. Receiver is probably the Jaguars' weakest position, so Thomas has to make big plays the way Wallace makes them for the Steelers.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1 Have MoJo be a no-show. With the possible exception of Peyton Manning, no player is a bigger part of an offense than the Jaguars running back.

2 Have Blaine be plain. Gabbert is looking smoother with each start, but the Steelers want to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.

3 Keep Rashean from shining. Mathis has six interceptions, three for TDs, in his last five games against the Steelers.

[Steelreign]

The series should get tied up today because Dick LeBeau is too much for Gabbert to figure out, sure anything can happen on any given Sunday...........but not today Pittsburgh 34-14.

[Kipper]

Steeelrs gotta protect the ball. Any QB could beat us or look good against us. We've lost to the likes of Bruce Gradkowski the past couple of years but if we protect the ball, I like this game.

The Jags have the 8th ranked defense. They are ranked 10 or better in Pass and Rush defense so they are even across the field. They arent a team that has one part fo their defense picking up for a weaker part. They are strong in both but Mathis is supposedly out which wioll greatly help Ben

[Kipper]

WOW... boomer and even Shannon Sharpe was shaking his head in agreement about the NFL meeting with the Government and the union to discuss HGH testing. The players union backed out at the last minute and Boomer flat out said it's because the Players Union knows there's a lot of guilty players, saying that it's likely as much as 20% of the league

[Palmetto Steel]

Nose tackle Casey Hampton (shoulder), defensive end Aaron Smith (foot), guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee), offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (shoulder), outside linebackers James Harrison (eye) and Jason Worilds (thigh) and runnning back Mewelde Moore (ankle) won't play today against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.


Nose tackle Chris Hoke, right tackle Jonathan Scott, left guard Doug Legursky and left defensive end Ziggy Hood are among those that will fill in today for the injured starters.

[Palmetto Steel]

Steelers-Jaguars Inactives

STEELERS

RB - Mewelde Moore
G - Chris Kemoeatu
T - Marcus Gilbert
DE - Aaron Smith
LB - James Harrison
LB - Jason Worilds
NT - Casey Hampton

JAGUARS

CB - Derek Cox
RB - Montell Owens
LB - Clint Session
G - Jason Spitz
OL - Eben Britton
WR - Kassim Osgood
DT - Nate Collins

[Steelreign]

WOW... boomer and even Shannon Sharpe was shaking his head in agreement about the NFL meeting with the Government and the union to discuss HGH testing. The players union backed out at the last minute and Boomer flat out said it's because the Players Union knows there's a lot of guilty players, saying that it's likely as much as 20% of the league

Yeah, the union can't agree to HGH Testing until they can get their players on other and better PED's

[(419)BlackNGold]

Hoping the Steelers can salvage my so-so weekend with a win!

[Steelreign]

Steelers-Jaguars Inactives

STEELERS

RB - Mewelde Moore
G - Chris Kemoeatu
T - Marcus Gilbert
DE - Aaron Smith
LB - James Harrison
LB - Jason Worilds
NT - Casey Hampton

JAGUARS

CB - Derek Cox
RB - Montell Owens
LB - Clint Session
G - Jason Spitz
OL - Eben Britton
WR - Kassim Osgood
DT - Nate Collins

if the Steelers play another strong defensive game, some of those inactive players may be returning as backups.