We are somehow 11 weeks into the NFL regular season already
Black Marqise Lee Jerseys , and what was supposed to be a prime time matchup between the has been flexed into a
1 p.m. start due to Jacksonville’s struggles (weak). No matter what time kickoff
is, the Jaguars have a tough task against a hot Steelers team that has won five
games in a row. To help us prepare for this weekend’s game, I spoke to Jeff
Hartman, managing editor of Behind the Steel Curtain — SB Nation’s superb
Pittsburgh Steelers website. 1. The Steelers got off to a slow start at 1-2-1,
but have since turned things around with five straight wins. How has Pittsburgh
been able to go on this run? What changed for the team? Jeff: The biggest change
for this team can be broken down both offensively and defensively. Offensively,
the team started to commit themselves to running the football. When doing this
they have been able to provide a balance which didn’t exist during the 1-2-1
start to the season. Defensively, they have stopped the big plays from
happening, and have really been better at tackling. All of that combined, and
increased health of the team, has equated in five wins in a row.2. Last season,
the Jaguars defeated the Steelers twice, and were underdogs in both contests.
This season, Jacksonville appears to be a sinking ship, but I am not sure
records matter in this series. What do you think the Jags did so well against
the Steelers last season
Marqise Lee Jerseys 2019 , and what does Pittsburgh need to do better to avoid the same outcome? Jeff: Jacksonville ran the football down the Steelers’ throats
on both occasions. They were able to produce time-consuming drives, keeping the
high-powered offense on the sideline. In the playoff loss, the Steelers’ defense
couldn’t get off the field because of this, and although the offense put up over
40, it wasn’t enough. The other consistent trend in last season’s games were the
turnovers. Pittsburgh coughed the ball up, while the Jaguars didn’t. The
Steelers will have to play clean football, and stop the run, if they expect to
win in Week 11...even with the Jags current losing streak.3. You are probably
sick of this question, but how has the Le’Veon Bell (Go Green!) saga affected
the team? Do you expect Bell to sit out the remainder of the season? With the
emergence of James Conner, do you believe that the organization (and the
fanbase) is ready to move on from Bell? (editor’s note: the question was asked
and answered prior to Le’Veon Bell’s decision to not report to the team)Jeff:
When this article runs, I expect Bell to have decided to pass up the $14.5
million dollars and decide to take the rest of the season off (editor’s note:
nailed it). In the early portions of this season, it certainly impacted how the
Steelers handled their offense, but as James Conner has proven himself more than
capable, if not better
Black Abry Jones Jerseys , in every aspect of the RB position, the offense hasn’t missed a beat. Short answer...the Steelers’ offense is firing on all cylinders
without Bell.4. Pittsburgh seems to be playing complete football right now,
ranking No. 4 in total offense and No. 8 in total defense, with a very good run
defense. What is the key to containing Pittsburgh’s offense, and what can
Jacksonville’s often-struggling offense do to move the ball against a stout
defense? Jeff: Stopping the Steelers’ offense will come down to the Jaguars’
offense. The teams who have had success slowing down Ben Roethlisberger and
company have been the teams who have come out and gotten a quick lead. When
faced with a big deficit (talking double-digits) the Steelers have shown they
often want to get pass-happy. This is when Roethlisberger can make mistakes (see
Week 5 of last season). But if the Steelers can get a lead, or keep it close,
with the run and pass still available, it will be tough for any defense in the
NFL to shut them out.5. How has the emergence of Juju Smith-Schuster allowed the
passing game to open up for Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown (Fire up, Chips!)
and the rest of the Pittsburgh offense? Jeff: Teams can’t sell out to just stop
Antonio Brown anymore. That may sound simple, but the fact is JuJu
Smith-Schuster is a production machine. Unlike Martavis Bryant, Smith-Schuster
isn’t just a decoy. He isn’t just a deep threat. He can do it all. YAC, great
hands, above average route running and a willingness to do the dirty work (going
across the middle and blocking) to help the team succeed. When Smith-Schuster
gets going
Abry Jones Jerseys 2019 , so does the Steelers’ offense.Bonus: Score prediction? This game won’t be a blowout, and I could see the Steelers having to
come from behind. However, this is a revenge game for Pittsburgh. Don’t think
they forgot about those two games last year, and nothing would please them more
than sending the Jaguars to a 3-7 start to the season...I like the
Steelers...Steelers - 31Jaguars - 20Thank you to Jeff for providing thorough
insights and analysis into the matchup and the 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers. You can
find him on Twitter, and you can also follow Behind The Steel Curtain to keep up
with news and notes from the opponent. The Jacksonville Jaguars cleared $30
million in salary cap space by cutting five veterans Friday, including former
Pro Bowl defenders Malik Jackson and safety Tashaun Gipson.The team also
released offensive lineman Jermey Parnell, running back Carlos Hyde and
long-snapper Carson Tinker.The Jaguars are expected to use the much-needed cap
room to sign a quarterback in free agency next week, possibly Nick
Foles.Philadelphia opted not to use the franchise tag on Foles, allowing him to
hit the open market. He could get a deal worth more than $20 million
annually.Foles led the Eagles to four playoff victories over the last two
seasons, including the franchise’s first NFL title since 1960. He earned 2018
Super Bowl MVP honors and emerged as the league’s top quarterback
commodity.Jacksonville did not part ways with quarterback Blake Bortles, but
might do so next week. Cutting Bortles would create another $4.5 million in
salary cap space.More Jacksonville Jaguars newsJaguars get help for Nick Foles
with signings of WR Chris Conley, RT Cedric OgbuehiIt’s official: Jaguars agree
to terms with Super Bowl MVP QB Nick FolesJaguars, guard A.J. Cann agree to
terms on 3-year contractJaguars reportedly agree to 4-year, $88 million deal
with QB Nick FolesJaguars cut 5 veterans
Black Corey Grant Jerseys , including defensive lineman Malik Jackson, safety Tashaun GipsonThe Jags saved $11 million by releasing Jackson, a defensive
tackle who was due to count $15 million against the cap. They saved $7.45
million by cutting Gipson, a safety who was due to count $9.05 million against
the cap. They saved $6 million on Parnell, $4.7 million on Hyde and $860,000 on
Tinker.Jacksonville, however, will have $5.6 million counted against the salary
cap from the Jackson and Gipson deals.Jackson and Gipson were productive in
Jacksonville, playing in all 48 games during their three seasons.Jackson won a
Super Bowl with Denver in 2016 and then signed a six-year, $85.5 million
contract with the Jags. The deal included $42 million guaranteed, the richest in
franchise history.He notched 105 tackles, 18 sacks, eight pass breakups and four
forced fumbles. He came off the bench late last season, a clear indication his
future with the franchise was in jeopardy.Gipson signed a five-year
Corey Grant Jerseys 2019 , $36 million deal that included $12 million guaranteed. He had 159 tackles, 16 pass breakups and six interceptions in three
seasons in Jacksonville.Both players should draw plenty of interest in free
agency. Jackson is 29 years old and hasn’t missed a game since his rookie year
in 2012. Gipson is 28 and hasn’t missed a game since October 2015.The
32-year-old Parnell was entering the final year of his contract and was due a $1
million roster bonus on March 17.Parnell missed three games because of injuries
in each of the last two seasons, and the Jaguars believe they can get equal or
better production for less money. And that’s necessary for a team with little
cap space and plenty of holes to fill.Parnell started 57 games over four seasons
after signing a five-year, $32 million contract in 2015. The deal included $15.5
million guaranteed.Tinker missed 27 of 32 games the last two years because of
knee injuries, prompting the team to re-sign veteran snapper Matt Overton.Hyde
was a disappointment in Jacksonville, which acquired him from Cleveland last
October in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. The Jaguars had hoped he would
fill in for injured starter Leonard Fournette, but Hyde managed just 189 yards
in eight games.Fournette, Thomas Rawls and second-year pro David Williams are
the only running backs remaining on Jacksonville’s roster.The Jags likely will
address the position in free agency or the draft, or maybe both.The 28-year-old
Hyde should not have a problem finding a home elsewhere. He has 3,300 yards
rushing and 26 touchdowns.He signed a three-year, $15.25 million contract with
the Browns last March. He became expendable in Cleveland when rookie Nick Chubb
started looking like a second-round steal.Hyde was due a $1 million roster bonus
on March 15, the same day that $2 million of his base salary would have become
guaranteed.
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