In-game blog: Jags vs. Steelers

Oct 05, 2008 at 08:09 PM

jaguars.com Senior Editor followed the action live as the Jaguars took on the Steelers. Here's what he wrote.

Pregame - 5:50PM

Hi, everybody, and welcome to the press box at "The Jack." There's a special feeling in the air and I could sense it as I came through the parking lot this afternoon, with Jaguars fans and Steelers fans tailgating in mass. The blog starts now.

Pregame - 6:26PM

Let's recap the afternoon's events. Tennessee rallied to win at Baltimore and Houston unbelievably squandered a 27-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter to lose, 31-27, to the Colts. In my opinion, the Titans' win makes tonight's game a must win for the Jaguars to stay in the division title chase.

Pregame - 6:53PM

I can't tell you how many Steelers fans are here tonight, but it is significant. The number of Steelers jerseys walking around outside the stadium is more than noticeable.

Pregame - 6:55PM

The Jaguars inactives are: Drayton Florence, Reggie Nelson, Chauncey Washington, Brad Meester, Chris Naeole, Jimmy Kennedy, Troy Williamson and Dennis Northcutt.

Pregame - 6:56PM

The Steelers inactives are: Dennis Dixon (third quarterback), Carey Davis, Willie Parker, Andre Frazier, Tony Hills, Nick Eason, Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel.

Pregame - 7:30PM

I'm heading over to the radio booth to do some pregame. The crowd is starting to file in. This is going to be an electric environment tonight. I'm not going to say this is the game that'll define the season, but it'll certainly define the early part of the season. I'll be back for the coin toss.

Pregame - 8:14PM

The Steelers come out and the towels go up.

Pregame - 8:15PM

The temperature is 73 degrees, the humidity is 81 percent and there's a slight chance of rain.

Pregame - 8:16PM

The Jaguars have yet to make their appearance. They're being dramatic about it. Here they come now and the crowd roars.

Pregame - 8:18PM

The Jaguars are introducing their defense. The Steelers introduced team. It's become a common thing on the road.

Pregame - 8:19PM

Here's a tip: Watch for a blocked punt tonight. Steelers punter Mitch Berger is a little slow to get the ball off.

Pregame - 8:21PM

Key matchup of the night for the Jaguars? I think it's Khlaif Barnes against James Harrison. For the Steelers? I think it's nose tackle Chris Hoke against the interior of the Jaguars offensive line.

Pregame - 8:21PM

The Steelers won the coin toss and elected to receive. Hmmm, I'm surprised they didn't defer.

Pregame - 8:24PM

The Steelers return the kickoff to their 17-yard line.

14:56 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 0

Mewelde Moore breaks it big on the first play; gain of 19. Tack on 15 yards for roughness against Paul Spicer and the ball is at the Jaguars 49.

14:56 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 0

Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward for 13 and a first down.

13:43 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 0

Sack by John Henderson. It brings up third and 18.

12:49 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 6

Touchdown! Rashean Mathis did it again. He intercepted Roethlisberger and returned it 72 yards. Roethlisberger had heat and threw it before the receiver got out of his break.

12:49 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

There's a reason Roethlisberger gets sacked so much. The Jaguars are all over him.

11:54 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

Roethlisberger isn't comfortable. He's feeling the heat. He has no confidence in his line. It's third down.

11:50 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

Great throw to Santonio Holmes for a first down. Roethlisberger got hit as he threw.

11:06 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

The Jaguars are having their way up front. This is a carbon copy of the playoff game.

09:42 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

They get the first down on third and short at the Jaguars 43.

08:57 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

Roethlisberger to Moore for a first down. There's a personal foul on Will James. Come on, what's that. The ball is down to the 15. You can't do stuff like that.

08:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

The Jaguars need to chill out. They're too hyper.

08:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

It's third and seven. Big play here. Watch for Heath Miller.

06:46 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 0, JAX: 7

Roethlisberger to Miller for a first down at the three. This is too easy.

05:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 6, JAX: 7

Touchdown! Roethlisberger to Miller. It was a play-action fake. The drive was 71 yards in 12 plays. It was too easy.

05:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Put Roethlisberger behind the offensive line he had as a rookie and he'd tear this league up. He's fantastic when he has time and he had some time in that drive. The thing that bothers me is that the Steelers have rushed for 36 yards. David Garrard needs to respond.

05:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Fred Taylor is back to return the kickoff. How about that?

05:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Maurice Jones-Drew returned the kick to the Jaguars 26.

05:18 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

I've never seen a player "kill" one team as Mathis "kills" the Steelers. Anybody who complains about the way Mathis plays needs to have their head examined.

05:06 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Fred tried to cut it back but the Steelers were playing it. He loves to cutback on the Steelers.

05:06 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Nice throw by Garrard to Matt Jones for a first down. Garrard had time to throw.

03:51 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Nearly intercepted; third down.

03:12 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Great throw by Garrard to Mike Walker for a first down at the Steelers 40. He threw into the face of a blitz.

03:07 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 7

Pass interference on Ike Taylor on the deep ball to Matt Jones. It'll put the ball at the one-yard line.

02:31 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 13

Touchdown! Jones-Drew up the middle.

02:27 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Uche Nwaneri made the power block on Jones-Drew's one-yard run.

01:21 left in 1st Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger to Hines Ward for a first down on third and 10. It's at the Steelers 34.

15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger to Ward for a first down at midfield on the final play of the first quarter. The Steelers are four of five on third down. Roethlisberger is starting to get some time to throw. That's the difference. You have to get heat on him. All quarterbacks are different quarterbacks when you get a rush on them.

15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Moore right up the middle for 10. That's troubling.

14:23 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger to Ward for another first down. Roethlisberger rolled out.

12:49 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger calls time out on third and three at the 20. I could say this is where they miss Willie Parker but Moore has already rushed for 46 yards.

12:49 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 7, JAX: 14

Incomplete; the Jags got pressure. Jeff Reed will attempt a 38-yard field goal. It's good.

12:38 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

OK, here's what I've seen. I've seen a Jaguars offense that moved the ball through the air with ease. Garrard appears to be on his game. Defensively, the Jaguars have looked porous. They've allowed 54 yards rushing and Roethlisberger has already thrown for 103 yards.

12:38 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

Brian Witherspoon takes it back big; like lightning up the middle to the Jaguars 38. That got the Steelers' attention.

12:38 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

Garrard got ripped but got the ball off.

11:41 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

Big blitz; Garrard got away from it but was run out of bounds well short of a first down. It's punt time.

11:41 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

Adam Podlesh's punt is returned to the Steelers 18.

11:17 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

Whoa! That almost went the distance. A quick pass to Holmes gains 19.

11:17 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

The Steelers are being very aggressive on offense. That surprises me.

10:39 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 10, JAX: 14

What a throw to Nate Washington for a first down. Will James had perfect coverage. I thought he was going to intercept it.

09:28 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 16, JAX: 14

Touchdown! Roethlisberger pump-faked James and Washington lit him up deep. The throw was right on the money; 48 yards.

09:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

I never expected the Steelers to be this aggressive on offense and I never expected this high scoring of a game. Roethlisberger has already thrown for 184 yards. Despite a pick-six throw, he's got a 118.8 passer rating.

09:20 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

The Jaguars start deep; at their seven after a short return by Witherspoon and a hold.

09:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

The Steelers have been using their no-huddle offense. It's obviously given the Jaguars personnel problems.

07:49 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Garrard is wide on third down. Punt time.

07:49 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Long punt by Podlesh and block in the back puts the ball back to the Steelers 31. Podlesh is puntin' good.

07:40 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Do they stay no-huddle or do they try to slow down the tempo?

07:05 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

It was a big gainer but there's holding on Willie Colon. That's big for the Jags. That would've really hurt.

06:26 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Incomplete deep but Brian Williams just took a stupid unsportsmanlike penalty that's going to continue the drive.

05:58 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

The Jaguars are stopping the run now. It's Roethlisberger vs. the world.

05:07 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Punt time. Here we go with the punter.

05:07 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

No rush and Berger kicked the ball into orbit, out of the back of the end zone. Rob Meier has a sprained knee and is questionable to return.

03:41 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Three and out. Troy Polamalu blew up the run.

02:52 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Gary Russell runs for 15. I don't like what I'm seeing.

02:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger to Miller for a first down. Miller is a beast. We're at the two-minute warning. The ball is at the Jaguars 39.

02:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger to Miller. He carried three guys to the 24.

01:23 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger to Holmes at the five. Mike Peterson blasted Holmes but he held onto the ball.

01:09 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

It's third and goal from the five. Ward dropped a touchdown pass on first down.

00:54 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 17, JAX: 14

Incomplete; field goal time. It's a chip shot. It's good.

00:45 left in 2nd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Roethlisberger is 18 of 29 for 239 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 96.8 passer rating. This is not Steelers football but this is how they have to play when you don't have your running backs.

Halftime

That's the end of the half. Garrard is three of just seven passes for 34 yards. That's because the Steelers have run 46 plays to 17 by the Jaguars. The Jaguars have rushed for just 15 yards. That has to change. If it wasn't for Mathis' interception, this would be a blowout.

Halftime

Willie Parker told a Pittsburgh radio station this week that the Steelers would go no-huddle all night. He called it and everybody thought it was a ploy to deceive the Jaguars. It was not.

Halftime

This could be a lot worse. If Mathis doesn't return the interception and if Ward catches the touchdown throw, the Jaguars would be down a bunch, but they're only down six points. The game is still on. The Jaguars have to stop Roethlisberger and you do that by rushing him.

Halftime

OK, the Jags get the second-half kickoff. That's the good news.

14:54 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Garrard's getting good pass protection. All of a sudden, however, he's out of rhythm.

14:08 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Nice catch by Walker for a first down. That's a big play. The Jaguars picked up the blitz beautifully.

12:47 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

The Jaguars are on the move. They're at the Steelers 36. Garrard looks better now.

12:47 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Dropped by Matt Jones. That would've been a big gainer.

11:54 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Holding against Tony Pashos negates a completion to Marcedes Lewis. It would'be been fourth and one. Now it's third and 20.

10:51 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Sack! They didn't bring the house but LaMarr Woodley came hard. It's punt time. Podlesh hits it high but short. Moore makes a fair catch at the Steelers 22.

10:51 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Will the Steelers stay aggressive?

10:13 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Three and out; will the Jags rush Berger?

09:25 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Nope; Witherspoon returns one yard to the Jaguars 25.

09:25 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

The defense is playing better, especially against the run. I feel a drive coming on.

09:25 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Slant to Walker for a first down; good throw, tough catch in traffic.

08:10 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

It's fourth down. Go for it? I would not.

07:23 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

But Jack Del Rio did and Garrard completed a swing pass to Greg Jones for 15 to the Steelers 37.

05:06 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

It's third and seven. Jones-Drew has a leg injury and is being helped off. It doesn't look good.

05:06 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Incomplete. He's going for it. Wow!

04:26 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Knocked down at the line. I need help on that one. Field position is real big in this game. The Steelers have been stalling.

04:21 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Jones-Drew has a sprained ankle and is questionable to return.

04:21 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

The running game is out of gas. It's Roethlisberger the rest of the way. They know it.

03:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

It's third and long. This is a big, big play. The Steelers have lost their aggressiveness. They're trying to nibble.

03:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Sack! Perfect time for it. The Steelers did that to themselves. They put him in thrid and long.

02:49 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

The punt is fielded at the Jaguars 24. Reggie Hayward and Quentin Groves got the sack.

02:18 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

The Steelers are waiting for a turnover. They don't want to go on the attack if they're deep in their own territory.

02:18 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Garrard to Walker for nine. Walker's having a nice night.

01:40 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

They got the first down but the Jaguars need a big play. That's what's missing.

01:40 left in 3rd Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

There's the big play. A long pass to Walker over the middle for 32 to the Steelers 33.

15:00 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

That's the end of the third quarter. A holding penalty against Khalif Barnes puts the ball back to the Steelers 43, first and 20.

15:00 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Nearly the whole third quarter was played on the Steelers side of the 50. It really intimidated the Steelers play-calling.

15:00 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Jones-Drew is back.

14:17 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 14

Ridiculous hit on Matt Jones costs the Steelers big. It's 15 yards and a first down on an incomplete pass. It would've been third and long.

Touchdown! Garrard to Lewis for 24 yards. That play has been waiting to happen for more than a quarter. That's what happens when you get conservative. The other guys attack and the Jaguars did.

14:05 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

The Steelers are gonna start in a hole after holding on the return.

13:58 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Sacked! By Spicer. The Steelers went empty.

13:17 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Holding on the Jaguars. First down. It would've been first down. It's on Gerald Sensabaugh.

12:44 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Moore rips off a gain of 13.

11:59 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Big play; third and eight from the Steelers 41.

11:55 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Punt time; good rush made Roethlisberger scramble. The Steelers look tired.

11:14 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Witherspoon makes a fair catch at the 14. There's 10:30 to play.

10:30 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

This where the Jaguars need their running game.

10:30 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Two runs by Fred gain three yards.

09:55 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

They're going to call roughing the passer. Wow! Mike Tomlin is gonna go nuts.

09:12 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Sack! By Woodley for a loss of 12.

07:15 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Punt time, but the Jaguars flipped the field, sort of. The punt went into the end zone.

06:33 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

I expect the Jaguars pass-rush to take over the game. The Steelers offensive line is fading.

06:33 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

They had him but Roethlisberger pulled away and threw a strike to Ward for 16.

06:33 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

The rush is on him on every play. I don't know how the guy stands in there.

05:23 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

They can't throw anything but short stuff because of the rush.

05:23 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

He got protection there. He threw to Washington for a first down but Washington taunted. These guys are unbelievable. It's a first down but they lost 15 yards.

04:28 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Big run by Moore. He gained 27 around left end.

04:28 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

They're playing for a field goal.

03:02 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

It's third down. It would be a long field goal from here.

02:57 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

What a throw. It was to Ward at the 13. Rushers were hanging off Roethlisberger.

02:07 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

The Steelers take a time out with 2:07 to play. I was surprised they threw on third down. They took a big risk. He should've been sacked. They had him. They would've been out of field goal range. They'll play for the field goal now. This one rides on the right foot of Jeff Reed.

02:02 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Russell straight ahead to the eight. On the previous play, Meier hit Roethlisberger as he threw and Roethlisberger was in pain on the ground for quite awhile. The Jaguars called time out with 2:02 to play.

01:59 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Roethlisberger throws it away. We're at the two-minute warning. It's third and five. I'm guessing they'll run, make the Jaguars spend a time out and then kick.

01:59 left in 4th Qtr -- PIT: 20, JAX: 21

Touchdown! Roethlisberger to Ward. What a throw. You had to see it to believe it.