Jacksonville Jaguars week 11: 3 Steelers to watch on defense
The Jaguars will face the undefeated Steelers in week 11.
Jacksonville doesn’t stand much of a chance in week 11. They’ve lost eight straight games while Pittsburgh is on a nine-game winning streak. At best, they can put up a fight, which is what they managed to do against the (then) 6-2 Packers, losing by only four points. This week will be a tougher match-up, as the Steelers are much more well-rounded than the Packers are.
The Jaguars offense must keep an eye on these three Steelers at all times:
Bud Dupree
The Steelers have an incredibly talented front seven and head coach Doug Marrone said that it “may be the best that he’s seen”, according to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco.
Bud Dupree has been a major disruptor on defense since he was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He’s incredibly athletic and explosive and continues to get better by the season. In 2019, Dupree had 68 combined tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, four forced fumbles, and 11.5 sacks. Through nine games this season, he has seven sacks (second on the team), 23 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits.
T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt has been a dominating opposing offenses for the past four years. Last season was his best year as Watt finished with 14.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 35 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 36 QB hits. He’s on pace to have an even better performance in 2020 and even potentially win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. So far, Watt has nine sacks (leads team), 24 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 28 QB hits.
Joe Haden
Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick are both players that the Jaguars need to keep their eye on. The Steelers defense took an immediate step forward when they traded for Fitzpatrick last season and now have arguably the best secondary in the league. The reason I mention Haden here is because Fitzpatrick has had a bit of a slower season so far.
Haden has 32 solo tackles and has allowed a 49.2% completion percentage on 59 targets, which is 15th in the league currently.
Fitzpatrick also has 32 solo tackles, two interceptions (one pick-six), and one forced fumble (and recovery), and has allowed a 64.7% completion percentage on 17 targets.