During the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers, always rivals in the AFC Central Division, the two franchises certainly had some battles.
It’s a serious battle Sunday at Acrisure Stadium when the Steelers (4-2) welcome the Jaguars (5-2) to town for a big AFC matchup. In the history of the game, the Jaguars have been dominant on the road against the Steelers, winning five of the last six North Shore games, most recently in the 2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs.
The last time the Steelers beat the Jaguars on the North Shore was on October 16, 2011. It’s been a long, long time.
Pittsburgh needs to come out on top in some key games to flip the script. What could these matches be? I’m glad you asked.
Let’s take a look at my top four games between the Jaguars and Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Jaguars WR Christian Kirk vs. Steelers CBs Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan
Two years ago, there was a lot of talk about how overpaid he was in free agency, and Christian Kirk became one of the highest paid receivers in football when the Jaguars grabbed him from the Arizona Cardinals. The Jaguars look like geniuses now that Kirk has become one of the best slot receivers in football.
In his first year and a half with the Jaguars, Kirk recorded 678 snaps and became a primary target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Kirk saw 187 snaps (71.4%) on the season and has a total rating of 71.4. Kirk is a versatile player who thrives as a route runner. According to Next Generation Stats, he produces 3.4 yards per route and added 167 receiving yards on the season.
He is a dynamic route runner who is elusive after the catch. Steelers slot Patrick Peterson and/or Chandon Sullivan will have their hands full on Sunday. Peterson had a season-high 29 tackles in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams. He could have more work to do if rookie Joey Porter Jr. acquires a greater role. Sullivan has 126 snaps in the slot, allowing 7 receptions on 11 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Peterson struggled in coverage, allowing 281 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Quarterbacks have a 112.8 rating when targeting receivers covered by Peterson.
Steelers LT Dan Moore Jr. vs. Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen
Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. made a triumphant return to the lineup in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams. He has fully recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him for a week. The time off seems to have done wonders for him. Moore had his best game of the season against the Los Angeles Rams, allowing just one pressure and posting a 77.5 overall grade, one of the best tackles in the league.
He should be back to his best in week eight. Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen was a real force in 2023, posting an 89.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, making him a top 10 EDGE back in football. Allen had an absurd 10 pressures against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7. He has 33 seasons and seven sacks left.
Allen is an imposing physical specimen with great strength and speed. He got guys like Buffalo’s Dion Dawkins and New Orleans’ Andrus Peat in recent weeks. Allen’s slowdown will be key to keeping Jacksonville in the top seven. Jaguars LT Cam Robinson vs. Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith
Dan Moore-Josh Allen is the key matchup between left tackle and outside linebacker when the Steelers have the football. This position battle is also key for the Steelers on defense.
Alex Highsmith has quite the season in black and gold. He received an overall grade of 87.3 PFF this year, the 13th best EDGE defender in football. Additionally, Highsmith has 26 pressures and two sacks, both of which were bare-sack fumbles. He is a force off the edge and has really improved his Ghost rush move.
This move gives Robinson convulsions. Robinson struggled with it in London against Buffalo Bills and EDGE AJ Epenesa, who has a similar style to Highsmith. Robinson has a PFF grade of 63.3 overall on the year, including 83.5 as a pass rusher. He has just four pressures this season, though he has yet to face a pass rusher of Highsmith’s caliber.
A lot of attention is being paid to T.J. Watt on the opposite sideline, especially if rookie right tackle Anton Harrison struggles to transition to right tackle. That leaves Highsmith with plenty of one-on-ones against Robinson.
Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell vs. Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith
For the first time this season, I will bring the coaches to watch the matches. Why? Because this game is tight and two aggressive special teams coordinators have a say in the outcome.
Smith, who has been the Steelers’ special teams coordinator since 2013, has a knack for getting his troops to make big plays in tight games. Look no further than the game against the Ravens in Week 5 when Miles Killebrew blocked a punt that resulted in a safety. Special teams have been pretty good for the Steelers this season, except for a few mistakes by Gunner Olszewski. They will have to be very good again on Sunday and prepare to make a game-changing play or two.
That’s because Farwell’s units are very aggressive, as head coach Mike Tomlin pointed out in his weekly press conference on Tuesday. Farwell and his pitching unit faked a punt against the New Orleans Saints last week, a successful pass that set up a big first down and gave Jacksonville a spark, and he has a great return weapon in Jamal.
