5 best moments from the Steelers Week 11 win vs. Jaguars

The undefeated Steelers came into Jacksonville looking to remain undefeated.

They did that and then some. It started off roughly, losing 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Steelers ended up winning by 27-3. It became clear, as they started to get into a rhythm that they were by far the better team in Week 11. They were able to get the run game going some, they generated a lot of turnovers, and they managed to get into the endzone a few times.

It ended up being a very good win, especially on the defensive side. I don’t care that they were against a rookie 6th round backup quarterback. James Robinson was held in check, and they tackled so well in the secondary that run-after-catch yardage was next to nothing most of the game.

After a first quarter that saw the Steelers held out of the endzone, Chase Claypool comes up big again.

It was funny in the celebration that JuJu got to blow out a birthday candle. It was a pretend candle, and Chase Claypool stuck it into the first touchdown ball of the game for either side. It can’t be overstated how big of a play this was. Jacksonville had been hanging around. They had held a 3-0 lead for a drive before they saw it get tied up. Pittsburgh finally found the endzone in the form of their rookie star Chase Claypool.

In a game that Jacksonville had been calling plays particularly well, the Steelers finally broke paydirt. I give a ton of credit to the Jaguars and how they had been playing. The Jaguars had been playing a hard and physical game on both sides of the ball.

For Pittsburgh to finally take a lead about halfway through the second quarter, it felt like a weight had been lifted off of everyone’s shoulders. Ben has been having some issues with the deep ball, but all season he has been able to find Claypool deep, and this play was no different. Momentum had finally shifted towards the Steelers and it looked like it could only go up from there.

Pittsburgh had just scored their first touchdown, yet Jacksonville was threatening to answer back.

On a good drive by Jacksonville, it looked as though they were going to be able to answer back with their own score. Yet, Pittsburgh would force another turnover near their own endzone this season and it couldn’t have been at a more opportune time.

This play had to do with two people in particular for the Steelers defense. Firstly, Alualu being back and actually healthy was huge for Pittsburgh. He gets his hands up and tips the ball for the Steelers. The Steelers needed a big play to keep the momentum going in their favor.

The second thing is that the Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick. If there is a tipped ball, then you know that Minkah is going to make a play. It falls right into his arms and he makes a nice return to set up his offense with good field possession. This is one of the straws that was breaking a camel’s back in this game. Jacksonville started strong, but it looked like the Steelers were set to run away with it in the second half.

Terrell Edmunds has been making me look good all season.

My very first article ever published, was about how good of a player Terrell Edmunds is. He has been very good this season in all the areas critics have been saying he struggles in. He made a big play as the Jaguars were trying to score some points before the end of the first half.

This play was so big, as it forced the Jaguars to come out in the second half, having to overcome a 14 point deficit. In a game where a team is playing physical and fighting hard on every play no matter the score, if you are able to take away their best chance of scoring before the half, which was on this drive, you are setting your team up for success by the end of the game.

The Jaguars were going to fight the whole game and everyone knew that coming in. However, being able to hold a 2 possession lead to the end of the half when the Steelers were getting the ball first in the second half was huge. It was a big play for the Steelers and Edmunds in particular.

Terrell Edmunds had himself a day. It was really a glimpse of his ceiling when he hits it.

He was all over the field today. He made himself look like a pro-bowler today. I was really impressed with his coverage all day. He made a terrific catch for his second interception.

This ended the game for me. Pittsburgh would score another touchdown via Eric Ebron and Ben Roethlisberger, yet it was clear that the Steelers were not letting them score again. Edmunds was back in coverage and read Luton the whole way. He almost came too far up, but he tipped it to himself and hauled it in for the 3rd interception of the day for the Steelers.

It was the straw that broke the camel’s back in this game and it all but ended the Jaguars’ chance to win it.

Terrell Edmunds all but ended the game for the Steelers. His partner at safety ended the game.

Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds played an incredible game on both parts. Terrell Edmunds had 2 interceptions at this point in the game, and Fitzpatrick had one himself.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1330616178595815427

At this point in the game, at about 6 minutes left, and behind by 24 points, the game was pretty much over for the Jaguars. After this play, both teams starting bringing in reserves and the last 5 minutes of the game looked like a preseason game. It was clear it was over, as the Steelers starting kneeling after the 2-minute warning and the Jaguars opted from calling their time-outs.

All in all, it was a decisive win for the Steelers. They shut down the Jaguars offensively and they made more than enough plays on offense to win the game. It looked ugly in the first quarter, yet as the team got into a rhythm the difference in talent between these two teams was glaring.