JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A few thoughts on the Pittsburgh Steelers' 17-9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Field.
What it means: The Steelers won’t win many football beauty pageants after keeping the Jaguars winless, but don’t discount the significance of their third victory of the season. Teams that start the season 3-2 have made the playoffs 47.7 percent of the time since 1990, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Teams that have lost three of their first five games have made the playoffs just 22.1 percent of the time during that same span. The Steelers’ offense had to grind out yards against the worst defense in the NFL, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger & Co. did enough to win. The offensive line was terrific, keeping Roethlisberger upright and providing ample running room for Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount. The defense kept the Jaguars out of the end zone and came up with a pair of interceptions as the Steelers won the turnover battle.
Discipline issues: The Steelers were playing pretty disciplined from a penalty standpoint until the third quarter. Then within a span of four minutes they were flagged for an illegal block in the back, delay of game and illegal use of the hands. Special teams captain Robert Golden backed the Steelers up to their 10-yard line with a penalty during a punt return, his second one of the game. An illegal use of hands to the face called on left tackle Kelvin Beachum negated a 17-yard catch by Antonio Brown and helped kill a promising drive. In between those flags wide receiver Lance Moore was flagged for a delay of game after the nine-year veteran flipped the ball following a 26-yard catch. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had vowed to put an end to those kinds of penalties and he gave Moore an earful on the sidelines after the delay of game call. Moore, however, was back in the game on the next play. The Steelers had seven penalties for 50 yards.
An unlikely TD drive: The Steelers didn’t score a touchdown against the NFL’s worst defense until late in the second quarter, and the methodical 10-play, 70-yard drive followed an unlikely script. Roethlisberger completed 5 of 6 passes for 51 yards but didn’t connect with any of his wide receivers. Fullback Will Johnson looked like a wide receiver while making a 12-yard grab, his first catch of the season. Tight end Michael Palmer capped the drive with a 1-yard scoring catch, his first touchdown as a Steeler. Play-action set up the easy third-down throw from Roethlisberger to Palmer.
Injury update: The Steelers lost safety Shamarko Thomas in the first half to a hamstring injury and he did not return, but they did not sustain any other significant losses. Starting inside linebacker Ryan Shazier did not dress for the second consecutive game because of a sprained knee. Cornerback Ike Taylor is out indefinitely with a broken forearm.
Game ball: Cornerback Brice McCain, signed off the scrap heap in March, made the play of the game when he returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. The Steelers' cornerbacks played really well against the Jaguars and McCain's score gave the Steelers an eight-point lead and some breathing room against upset-minded Jacksonville.
What’s next: The Steelers visit the Cleveland Browns next Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET game. The Steelers are 11-2 at Cleveland since 2001 but have twice lost the road games to the Browns during coach Mike Tomlin’s tenure.
