Know Your Steelers Divisional Round Enemy: The Jacksonville Jaguars

The first time the Steelers and Jaguars clashed inittsburgh this season, it was a well-documented disaster for Pittsburgh. Since then, the Steelers are a different team. But what about Jacksonville. It’s time for BTSC to highlight the Jaguars in anticipation of the Steelers rematch at Heinz Field on Sunday.

OFFENSE

*No. 5 QB Blake Bortles

Bortles has been much-maligned during his Jaguars career and he’s been described as really, really good or really, really bad. The big, strong quarterback stands up well in the face of pressure and avoids the rush well, but (as just mentioned) he’s never displayed consistency from game to game and possesses only average arm strength. But the team has had success in 2017 with the Central Florida QB under center, so that fact can't be denied. Last week against Buffalo in the WC game, Bortles was 12/23 for 87 yards and a TD throw. He had 88 yards on ten carries though.on the year, Bortles threw 21 scoring passes versus only 12 interceptions and 3,687 passing yards. The Steelers need to put Bortles in more passing situations and make him beat them.

Other Jaguars Quarterbacks to Note: No. 7 Chad Henne

*No. 27 RB Leonard Fournette

The former LSU Tiger has a great combination of speed and power and carved the Steelers defense up for 181 yards and two scores, including a 90-yarder at the end. As the feature back for the league’s top-ranked running game, Fournette is tied for eighth in the NFL with 1,040 yards and a 3.9 average as well. However, Fournette has averaged only 3.1 ypc the last five games. No. 27 has ten total TDs as well. If the Jags get the lead, Fournette will challenge the Steelers defense and keep their offense off of the field.

Other Jaguars Running Backs to Note: No. 33 Chris Ivory, No. 24 TJ Yeldon, No. 30 Corey Grant, *No. 40 FB Tommy Bohanon

No. 84 WR Keelan Cole

The rookie Cole leads the Jaguars in receiving, hauling in 42 balls for 748 yards and three scores. The Jags have been hampered with injuries all year at the position. Marquise Lee, Allen Hurns and Dede Westbrook all missed time, while Arrelious Benn and Allen Robinson are out for the year. With good height at 6’1”, Cole adjusts well to bad throws but his speed is average. Nonetheless, the undrafted rookie has come on and can find room in a flawed secondary.

Other Jaguars Wide Receivers to Note: *No. 11 Marquise Lee, No. 12 Dede Westbrook, No. 19 Montay Crockett, No. 85 Jaydon Mickens, No. 17 Arrelious Benn (IR), *No. 88 Allen Hurns, No. 15 Allen Robinson (IR)

*No. 89 TE Marcedes Lewis

Because Bortles doesn’t rely heavily on his tight ends, Lewis has a mere 24 catches for 318 yards, but five of them are for scores. The Steelers will need to pay plenty of attention to Lewis in the red zone.

Other Jaguars Tight Ends to Note: No. 83 Ben Koyack, No. 86 James O’Shaghnessy

*No. 74 LT Cam Robinson

At 6’6” and 322 lbs., the second-round pick from Alabama is a Goliath of a man who’s a talented run-blocker. But Robinson has balance issues and he’s struggled in pass protection. The rookie battle between Robinson and T.J. Watt could be one-sided and an advantage for the Steelers.

Other Jaguars Offensive Linemen to Note: *No. 77 LG Patrick Omameh, *No. 65 C Brandon Linder (out), *No. 60 RG AJ Cann, *No. 78 RT Jermey Parnell, No. 72 T Josh Wells, No. 73 G Josh Walker, No. 69 G Tyler Shatley, No. 64 G Chris Reed

DEFENSE

*No. 93 RDE Calais Campbell

Campbell has been a great free-agent pick for Jacksonville., maybe the best in franchise history. A favorite for NFL DPOTY, the former Cardinal tied for second in the league with 14.5 sacks. A devastating pass rusher that can crush offense’s dreams, Campbell needs to be contained. He had half-a-sack and four tackles against Pittsburgh in October.An expected battle with Dave DeCastro could be an interesting one to watch.

Other Jaguars Defensive Linemen to Note: *No. 91 LDE Yannick Ngakoue, *No. 95 NT Abry Jones, *No. 97 DT Malik Jackson, No. 56 LDE Dante Fowler Jr., No. 99 NT Marcell Darius, No. 54 Eli Ankou, No. 59 DT Carroll Phillips, No. 94 RDE Dawuane Smoot

*No. 50 WLB Telvin Smith

Smith had 102 tackles, one sack and three interceptions on the year. He had a pick and was tackling everybody the first meeting of 2017 with the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs to know where Smith is at all times.

Other Jaguars Linebackers to Note: *No. 44 SLB Myles Jack *No. 51 MLB Paul Posluszny, No. 53 WLB Blair Brown, No. 52 MLB Donald Payne, No. 55 SLB Lerentee McCray (out)

*No. 20 LCB Jalen Ramsey

Ramsey has evolved into an elite corner in the NFL. Against the Bills he had only five balls thrown his way, including one he picked off. Ramsey had a pick in the first Steelers meeting as well. When Ramsey is in the vicinity, completions die. Antonio Brown pulled in ten balls against this vaunted secondary. The rematch could be epic between these to All Pros.

Jaguars Defensive Backs to Note: *No. 21 RCB AJ Bouye, *No. 42 SS Barry Church, *No. 39 FS Tashaun Gipson, No. 37 LCB Tyler Patmon, No. 22 RCB Aaron Colvin, No. 47 SS Jarrod Wilson, No. 25 FS Peyton Thompson, No. 31 CB Jalen Myrick

SPECIAL TEAMS

*No. Josh Lambo

Lambo has been clutch since taking over for Jadon Myers as the Jax kicker. He’s 20 for 22 on field goal attempts and a perfect 2-2 from 50+ yards and will get plenty of opportunities with an offense that often stalls on drives.

Other Jaguars Special Teamers to Note: *No. 4 PK Josh Lambo, *No. 3 P/H Brad Nortman, *No. 49 LS Colin Holba, No. 30 KR Corey Grant, No. 31 PR Jaylen Myrick, No. 12 PR Dede Westbrook, No. 84 KR Keelan Cole

COACHES

Head Coach: Doug Marrone

Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett

Defensive Coordinator: Todd Walsh

Special Teams: Joe DeCamillis