PITTSBURGH STEELERS

4 KEYS TO VICTORY AGAINST THE JAGUARS

If executed, the Pittsburgh Steelers only have four keys to victory that will bring their winning streak to six as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Strap Up is at it again, talking everything black n’ gold and this time, it’s about the “Keys to Victory” in the upcoming “tilt” this week between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. If viewed from the past, the game has an ominous connotation for the Steelers. However, as the saying goes, “Don’t look back unless you’re going that way.” The Steelers are a totally different team now with balance on offense and an aggressive defense that has played extremely well five weeks in a row.

The Jaguars are expecting Ben Roethlisberger to put the ball up for grabs and feed the Jaguars talented secondary like he did last year. The Jaguars are also expecting the Steelers defense to wilt under the weight of a running game like they did last year, led by rejuvenated running back Leonard Fournette. Lastly, they’re expecting chaos from a Steelers coaching staff like last year, that weren’t able to make offensive or defensive adjustments.

But the Jaguars, losers of five in a row, are living in the past if they think they are facing a Steelers team that has those same old characteristics. The following “Keys” will open the door to a Steelers victory and tame those “cats” with some revenge best served hot as steel!

KEY NO. 1 – PROTECT BIG BEN

 The Jaguars play a four man defensive front that is very talented and can get after the quarterback. With just experiencing that same kind of defensive front last week against the Carolina Panthers, the blocking schemes may not differ much.

The Steelers offensive line has got to keep that pocket clean to give Big Ben time to execute the aerial game. More importantly, the offensive line has to open holes for the running game as James Connor and company will need room to roll.

This will prevent the Jaguars from playing extra defensive backs to offset AB, JuJu and the Tight Ends. Additionally, the Steelers can “shorten” the game clock by increasing their time of possession.

KEY NO. 2 – STOP THE JAGUARS RUN GAME

 Controlling the clock through the running game is crucial for the Jaguars chances of success. Leonard Fournette is one of the premier backs in the league even though he is coming off of a first half of the season with injuries.

Last week was his first week back and he is looking to help the Jaguars right their ship. Blake Bortles, the teams quarterback, is not going to beat many teams by himself and having a great running game will make his task much easier.

The Steelers aggressive defensive seven man front is coming into their own but will be missing Stephon Tuitt, which could be a big loss. They are counting on Tyson Alualu to step in and step up with the same level of pressure that Tuitt has brought. The rotation of the defensive linemen as a way to keeping them fresh, has been working well so far this year. The substitutions of L.T. Walton and Dan McCullers will be very important in helping to stop the run.

KEY NO. 3 – IN-GAME ADJUSTMENTS

Getting off to a fast start, maintaining the lead and closing out the game will all pivot around the in – game adjustments. Randy Fichtner and Keith Butler will need to keep it going on how they are seeing and calling the game. In last week’s game, both coaches showed their “out of the box” thinking with regards to their strategies and schemes.

Butler dialed up an assortment of blitzes from all angles which kept Cam Newton off guard all day. He had the Steelers playing a lot of “single gap” which made the defensive line responsible to rush only one running lane. The inside linebackers and safeties were often blitzing clean off of that gap defense and there was no protection for the quarterback to execute.

Fichtner, on the other hand, came up with some plays that the Steelers had not ran all year. For instance, using a double slot motion play for AB and JuJu on a key third down was ingenious and kept the momentum going.

Fichtner is creating an offensive juggernaut with in-game adjustments that is providing amazing balance. Doesn’t look now, but I believe both coaches have found their mojo.

KEY NO. 4 – EXCISING THE GHOST

It is no secret that the Jacksonville Jaguars, since they have come into the league, have been instrumental in bringing a lot of misery to Steelers fans. The Jaguars have not always been the more talented team on the field, but the Steelers have suffered losses in which they were favored to win.

Last year’s playoff loss at Heinz Field was an example of the expectations for the Steelers to go to the AFC Championship game, only to be derailed by the Jaguars, their nemesis. The Jaguars are confident that they have the Steelers number in spite of their current record. Their defense is still one of the top rated in the league and the running game can be dangerous as well as potent.

This game will allow them to possibly salvage their season with a crucial win. If they were to lose, ostensibly their chances of reaching the playoffs are extremely dim. This is an opportunity for the Steelers to put those ghost to rest and send the Jaguar fans home in misery. Knocking them out of any chances to reach the playoffs, will excise a lot of those ghost while catapulting the Steelers forward.

Strap Up sees a happy plane ride home for the Steelers after what should be a dominating road win. All they have to do is keep that king of the road attitude, continue to protect Big Ben, stop that run and make in game adjustments. It may sound easier then what it could be, but the Steelers are built different this year.

When a team thinks that they got your number, what do you do? Change your number, duh! So, goodbye ghost and hello victory. Until next time, Strap Up says, “Let’s keep it real, cause you know that everything is – Black n’ Gold”.