Steelers vs. Jaguars Final Score: “Road Ben” makes trip to Heinz Field as Jaguars beat Steelers 30-9

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned home to Heinz Field for just the second time in 2017, and the Jacksonville Jaguars stood in their way of keeping their record at home a perfect.

For the Steelers, the team was a very healthy group in Week 5, having their starting defense all on the field for the first time in 2017. In fact, the offense was only without offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert in the game, and a healthy group, especially at home, had the team set up for success Sunday.

After winning the opening coin toss, Pittsburgh decided to defer to the second half, giving Jacksonville the ball to start the game. However, it was a quick possession with a three-and-out giving the ball right back to the Steelers offense. On the first play from scrimmage, Ben Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown deep for a huge gain.

Despite the big play, the Steelers were forced to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal to give them an early 3-0 lead.

On Pittsburgh’s second possession, which started inside their own 5-yard line, Roethlisberger was hit as he threw, and was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey, giving the Jaguars the football with their best starting position of the day.

It was a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette which moved the Jaguars’ offense into the red-zone threatening to take the lead. The Steelers defense was gouged by the run the entire drive, and it was Fournette diving over the top to score the first touchdown of the game, giving Jacksonville a 7-3 lead.

After exchanging punts, Pittsburgh received the football with two-minutes left in the half. With only one timeout remaining, but the team could only convert one first down before punting the ball back to Jacksonville with one-minute remaining in the half.

On Jacksonville’s next drive, it ended with Ryan Shazier being the playmaker he is, with this wild interception.

Pittsburgh’s offense took charge at their own 38-yard line, and quickly moved the ball into field goal range, but would have to settle for a Chris Boswell field goal. Boswell was good for the second time to cut the Jaguars’ lead to one heading into halftime.

The Steelers received the football to start the second half, and were able to move the football into the Jacksonville red-zone, but for the third possession in the red-zone they failed to score a touchdown. Instead, they settled for another Boswell field goal to give them a 9-7 lead.

After a Jacksoville three-and-out, the aforementioned lead wouldn’t last long after Ben Roethlisberger had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage, intercepted and returned for a pick-six. However, the Jaguars missed the extra point, and their lead would be 13-9 at the midway point through the 3rd quarter.

With another chance to take charge of the game, and take the lead, the Steelers followed the past blueprint for failure, and continued to follow it. Roethlisberger threw a high pass intended for Antonio Brown which was deflected and returned for a touchdown. Roethlisberger’s second pick-six in the game gave the Jaguars a 20-9 lead before the third quarter ended.

Jordan Berry was called on to punt the ball away to Jacksonville on the next Pittsburgh possession, and it was Jacksonville’s offense, or running game, which took over and moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory; however, the Steelers defense bent, but didn’t break, forcing a 48-yard field goal attempt. The kick was good, extending Jacksonville’s lead to 14-points, 23-9, with just under 7-minutes left in the game.

Despite having opportunities to get back into the game, Ben Roethlisberger’s play made this impossible. He would throw 5 total interceptions, a career high, on the day, and to put a cherry on top of this horrible day, Leonard Fournette rumbled 90-yards for a touchdown on Jacksonville’s final drive, equating in a 30-9 Jaguars victory at Heinz Field.

The loss drops Pittsburgh’s record to 3-2 on the season, as they now turn their attention to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.