Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 stats to know about the Steelers

The Jacksonville Jaguars will face a formidable foe in Week 11.

You have probably been hearing this the last few days, but the 1-8 Jacksonville Jaguars will take on the 9-0 Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11. While there are matchups that get the ‘game of the week’ designation, this one could fall into the ‘slaughter of the week’ category.

Heading into the game, the ‘Jags’ look vulnerable, especially because they have placed rookie cornerback C.J. Henderson on the Injured Reserve List, wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. has been ruled out and Sidney Jones was listed as questionable in the team’s last Injury Report.

However, as grim as things look for this Jacksonville team, it’s too early for the Steelers to start celebrating their tenth victory of the year. The Jaguars are still playing hard and haven’t given up on their season yet despite losing their last eight games.

Rookie running back James Robinson is among the best players at his position, wide receivers D.J. Chark and Keelan Cole have been assets in the receiving game, and the team’s pair of rookie defensive tackles, DaVon Hamilton and Doug Costin, have displayed flashes of talent.

It’s a good team this team is embracing the challenge they will face when they play the Steelers as this will not be an easy match. Here are five things that will help us understand what the Jaguars are up against.

1. The Steelers lead the league in sacks.

For years, Pittsburgh has been known for fielding top-notch defenses and the 2020 season isn’t different. Players such as linebacker T.J. Watt, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, linebacker Bud Dupree, and former Jaguars defensive tackle Tyson Alualu form arguably the best front seven in the NFL.

The Steelers defense is leading the league in sacks and they can generate pressure from all sides of the field. Slot cornerback Mike Hilton has been out for a few weeks but earlier this season, he amassed three sacks in four games and is set to play in sub packages in Week 11.

2. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is nothing to scoff at. 

The Steelers excel at generating sack, but they are also good at not allowing them, and just given up ten in 2020. The Indianapolis Colts are the only team that has surrendered fewer quarterback takedowns.

This presents a problem for the Jaguars, who are dead last in the league with a paltry nine sacks. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash recently said he’s seen his unit grow in recent weeks, but it might not be enough to get to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday.

3. T.J. Watt is making a case for Defensive Player of the Year.

Linebacker T.J. Watt is arguably the best of many talented defensive players in Pittsburgh’s roster. Only Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has more sacks this season than Watt this season but considering the Steelers have a better record in the standings, Watt may have the upper hand when it comes to NFL honors.

This season, Watt has registered nine sacks, 30 total tackles, and six pass deflections. Moreover, he’s Pro Football Focus highest-graded player this season and his 50 pressures lead the league.

4. They also lead the league in takeaways with 17.

One reason the Steelers are so good this season is that their offense and defense work in unison and complement each other. Pittsburgh’s defense is tied second with 11 interceptions and has forced six fumbles.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars defense ranks in the bottom-third in takeaways with nine. They are averaging one per game in 2020, so we could see them force at least one against the Steelers.

5. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson may be the Steelers’ secret weapon on offense.

While rookie Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster get the spotlight, Diontae Johnson is low-key thriving. He’s second on the team in receptions with 37 and has scored four touchdowns.

The Jaguars could be short-handed at cornerback in Week 11 and if they devote too much attention to slowing down Claypool and Smith-Schuster, Johnson could have a monster game.