Tag: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Behind Enemy Lines: Week 11 Q&A with Steelers Wire

Steelers Wire’s Curt Popejoy talks about the undefeated Steelers as they approach their Week 11 game with the Jags.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ and Pittsburgh Steelers’ rivalry is one we’ve covered heavily here from 2017-18, and we’ve now come upon a time where the two rivals will meet again. While they both are on opposite ends of the spectrum record-wise, history says this could be a close battle for Week 11.

To get more intel on the Steelers, we sat down with Steelers Wire’s Curt Popejoy. Here are five burning questions he was able to answer for Sunday’s battle as the Steelers travel to TIAA Bank Field:

Jaguars Wire: This Steelers team is rolling and their record is proof. That said, what are their weaknesses — if there are any and what worries the Steelers’ fanbase about the Jags?

Curt Popejoy: I think both these answers are the same. The Jaguars have a great run game, and the Steelers are very up and down stopping the run. If there is a place where the Jaguars can attack the Steelers, it is with what they do best.

JW: What has been the biggest factor in the fantastic season Pittsburgh is having?

CP: It’s all about the return of Ben Roethlisberger. This team without him went 8-8 last season thanks to the defense when the offense stunk. Big Ben’s return has changed everything.

JW: While there were only six selections, the Steelers rookie class had some interesting names within it like Chase Claypool. Alongside him, how are they coming along?

CP: Claypool is becoming a star in a hurry. He’s got the confidence of Roethlisberger, and it’s paying off huge for him. The rest of the class has been a bit good when called upon. Guard Kevin Dotson is going to be a star once he’s a full-time starter, and I think the same can be said for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. Both guys are just waiting for their opportunities.

JW: Who are some under-the-radar names to watch from this Steelers team on offense and defense?

CP: On offense, it’s rookie running back Anthony McFarland. Mike Tomlin said he wants to get the run game going, and his speed might be the key to it. On defense, the return of former Jaguar Tyson Alualu is the thing to watch. The run defense nosedived when he was out, but he’s back to 100% and playing like his old team.

JW: What’s your final predictions for the outcome of the game?

CP: The last two weeks have been trap games for the Steelers, and they won them both in very different ways. This week, I do look for Pittsburgh to win, but it will fall somewhere in between. This won’t be a blowout against a well-coached team like Jacksonville, but at the same time, I don’t think the Steelers take it to the final play either.

Steelers 31, Jaguars 21

Jaguars currently 9.5 underdogs to the Steelers

The Jags are once again underdogs as the undefeated Steelers are coming into town.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were underdogs by their largest margin in last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers but will be underdogs by their second-largest margin this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Per BetMGM, they’re currently 9.5-point underdogs as Ben Roethlisberger and his undefeated crew will travel to TIAA Bank Field Sunday.

When including Sunday’s game, the Jags haven’t had issues covering the spread as of the last few weeks, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see the trend continue though the Steelers do have the firepower to blow them out. Still, this is a rivalry is one that goes way back and both teams have the tendency to keep it relatively close.

The rivalry is one the Jags also own (though just slightly) with a 14-12 record. However, their last meeting against each other resulted in a 20-16 home loss for the Jags. For Jacksonville, that’s been a trend when at TIAA Bank Field as their last home win against the Steelers was in September of 2006 when they claimed a 9-0 victory under Jack Del Rio.

As for the money line, it’s set at -455, which means a $100 bet on the Jags would net a bettor $455. Additionally, the over/under is currently set at 47.5.

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