Jacksonville Jaguars dynamic duo of running backs Fred Taylor & Maurice Jones-Drew

Week 5, Steelers travel their Conference rivals in Jacksonville, payback time

Again as predicted, the Steelers would beat the Baltimore Ravens & start week 5 with a 3 – 1 record. I didn’t think it would be as close as it was nor as costly. Steelers won 23-20 in OT, no way the game should have even gone to OT. Making matters worse, they lose 2 starters for the year – rookie running back (who was starting in place or injured star running back Willie Parker) Rashard Mendenhall suffered a fractured shoulder & Guard Kendall Simmons left with an Achilles injury – as they were both placed on injured reserve, ouch.

But like in Hollywood, the show must go on. This week, Steelers travel to Jacksonville to play AFC conference foes the Jaguars. Who in recent years seem to own the Steelers.

Jaguars truly are to the Steelers what kryptonite was to Superman. Hard to forget last seasons tough tough playoffs loss in Pittsburgh. Steelers down 21-7 & come back like gangbusters in the 2^nd half to actually take the lead 29-28 with a few minutes to go in the 4^th. Steelers had them where they wanted them, Jags have the ball on a 4^th & 2 with less than 2 minutes to go. Boom, their QB David Garrard drops back to pass, but then runs back to the line & takes off for a 32-yard gainer to the Steelers 11-yard line. It was over a few plays later when their kicker Scobee kicks in a 25-yard field goal giving them a 31-29 lead & victory.

In my 2^nd Quarter of the Season prediction post I have the Steelers losing this game. So far I’ve predicted the correct outcome of the Steelers 1^st 4 games. With Steelers down to their 3^rd & 4^th string running backs in Gary Russell & Mewelde Moore I don’t see our running game scaring anyone, therefore making it obvious to other defenses that the key to Steelers offense is the passing game. Luckily the Jags haven’t been playing so great themselves. I hate to back peddle, but I will change my prediction from Steelers losing a close one to winning it. Yes, I know it’s in Jacksonville – but their team’s combo running attack of starter Fred Taylor & back up Maurice Jones-Drew have yet to play to their potential as their OLine has been awful. I think the Steelers offense might struggle as every team in the league will now blitz them to death as they (Steelers OLine) hasn’t figured out how to block those stunts & schemes. But I think the Steelers Defense will do well against the Jaguars not so great OLine they have themselves. Hoping Steelers starting QB big Ben Roethlisberger is healthy enough to pass to Steelers offense weapons in Wide outs Hines Ward & Santonio Holmes for big big plays which can be had against the Jaguars.

Steelers win a toughly contested matchup in Jacksonville this week & march on to a 4-1 record. Let’s hope it’s not another costly victory in which more season ending injuries plague the men of Steel.