Jaguars vs. Steelers: Travis Etienne keeps TD streak going, other bold predictions

The Jacksonville Jaguars are proving they weren't a one-year wonder in 2022. Although they lost back-to-back games early in the season, they rebounded and have won four in a row. Next on their schedule are the 4-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Jags beat them, it will be only the third time in team history they manage to go 6-2. It won't be easy to pull off though.

The game will be held at Acrisure Stadium, which will be filled with Steelers fans waving little yellow flags. Then again, Jacksonville has traveled well this season. They're 3-0 on the road and are getting better by the week. With that in mind, here are five bold predictions for Sunday's bout.

No. 5 Jaguars RB Travis Etienne will score 2 TDs for the 4th straight week

Running back Travis Etienne is having a pretty good year but he's somehow flying under the radar. Maybe it's the attention the defense is getting, or perhaps he doesn't get the spotlight because the offense is stacked with playmakers. Either way, the former Clemson Tiger could tie a pretty illustrious record in Week 8.

Against the New Orleans Saints, Etienne became the first player in franchise history to have multi-touchdown games in three straight weeks. If he accomplishes the feat Sunday, he'll be the first player to score two touchdowns in four games in a row since Hall-of-Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

Given that the Steelers have struggled to stop the run, the Jaguars will most likely get Etienne involved early on, which will allow him to tie Tomlinson.

No. 4 Jaguars S Andre Cisco will suit up vs. the Steelers and return an INT for a TD

Safety Andre Cisco is dealing with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Week 8. However, he'll be incentivized to play and prove George Pickens wrong. In case you missed it, Pickens called the Jacksonville defense a "hope defense", noting that they depend on their defensive front and hope — you get it? — they can hold up long enough.

Cisco caught wind of Pickens' comments but limited himself to saying, "Interesting choice of words." Although the third-year safety won't line up against Pickens, he'll limit his impact in the defensive backfield. On top of that, he'll find a way to confuse Kenny Picket into throwing an interception, which he'll then proceed to take to the house.

No. 3 The Jaguars offensive line won't allow T.J. Watt to record a single sack

T.J. Watt is one of the best edge rushers in the league, the kind that commands double teams in every play. In Week 8, the Jaguars will have their hands full trying to slow him and Alex Highsmith down. Doug Pederson acknowledged as much when he met with the local media Wednesday.

"He's a great player and you give him the respect that he's due. He's earned that" Pederson said. "you have to spend some resources in that direction. But they also have another one on the other side that can get after you as well. Highsmith is another one that can rush the passer; two sacks of his own, so it's kind of a two-headed monster."

Working in the Jaguars' favor is that the offensive line has played much better in recent weeks after somewhat of a slow start to the season. In Week 7, they only allowed four total pressures and no sacks or quarterback hits.

Expect bookend offensive tackles Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison to be up to the challenge and hold Watt and Highsmith to no sacks in Week 8.

No. 2 The Jaguars will keep the Steelers RB Najee Harris under 40 yards

The Steelers have had trouble getting the running game going this season. They rank 22nd in rushing yards and 26th in rushing touchdowns. To make matters worse, they're averaging 4.3 yards per play on first and second down, the lowest figure in the league.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars are pretty good at stopping the run, giving up 80 yards per game, and they should have no trouble containing the Steelers' rushing attack early on. Just a couple weeks ago, they had success keeping Jonathan Taylor in check, limiting him to a measly 19 yards on eight carries. They will do something similar against Najee Harris and keep him under 40 yards in Week 8.

No. 1 Trevor Lawrence will throw 3 TDs no INTs in the Jaguars win vs. the Steelers

Trevor Lawrence has progressively gotten more respect around the league. Even though he's still got his fair share of doubters, there are lots of analysts that are starting to recognize his place as a top 5-ish quarterback in the league. In Week 8, he'll turn heads when he scores three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Lawrence has mostly made good decisions this season but production input doesn't necessarily pop off of the statsheet. That will chance against the Steelers, even without Zay Jones, who's already been ruled out for the game. Steezy Trev will take attack Pittsburgh's depleted secondary and won't take the foot off the gas pedal until he scores three touchdowns.

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