Pittsburgh Steelers look to stay unbeaten at home against Jacksonville

The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Jacksonville Jaguars as they try to stay unbeaten at home this season.

In a story of two strong AFC defenses, this game could be a surprisingly low scoring event. As Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers receiving core hope to have their first breakout game, they’ll be doing so against one of the toughest pass defenses the league has to offer.

This could be another run game for Pittsburgh. Le’Veon Bell’s 35 touches in Baltimore isn’t something the Steelers want to keep doing, but for right now, the gameplan should be ride the run game. Until they figure out how to throw it deep and get this group of wideouts on the same page, Bell is the best bet this team has to control the scoreboard.

On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh needs to find a way to stop rookie sensation, Leonard Fournette. While Blake Bortles is having a shockingly decent year so far, he doesn’t have the weapons to beat Pittsburgh’s secondary. Plus, with a healthy front seven, he’ll face pressure on every snap.

So, like the Steelers, the Jaguars will be banking on the running game to come through for them. The only difference, is that it’s in Pittsburgh and the Steelers’ have one of the strongest rush stoppers in the game, Ryan Shazier.

This one could be closer than expected, but overall, should stay in Pittsburgh’s hands. As long as Bell can continue his productivity, and Roethlisberger can find a receiver in the endzone at least once, there’s no way Jacksonville will have the fire power or the momentum to stay competitive with Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.

Next: Jags defense is a major test for Ben

At 3-1, the Steelers’ destiny is in their own hands. Maybe they played down to Chicago two weeks ago, but you get the sense that this team isn’t going to do it again. It could be closer than some want it to be, but at the end of it all, Pittsburgh should have enough to edge this one out against the Jaguars.