In going back and checking my list of gamers from before the season, yes, I have been right on to date. I have them entering the bye at 3-2, with this Sunday night game vs the Jags being loss number two. In putting together my preview, this was my early take on this game:

10/5 at Jacksonville – The Jags are a team the Steelers simply don’t match up well with, as they have the black and golds number, and will again here on a Sunday night stage. J’Ville’s defense will harrass Big Ben and stop Willie Parker cold, and the defense will have its usual problems with Fred Taylor and Marice Jones-Drew: Jacksonville 17 Steelers 9 3-2

I can’t say that I have changed that opinion much in watching the Steelers first four games of the season. They are a number of reasons why I feel the Steelers are not going to be able to get past the Jags – and here are a few of them.



1. Injuries – Mike Tomlin refuses to accept injuries as a reason for defeat. I on the other hand am totally happy saying that the Steelers losing to the Jags likely will be due to injuries. I mean, the O-line is totally messed up right now, and I can’t see the Steelers putting up over 50 yards on the ground with the group they will throw out at RB.

2. Scoring Issues on Offense - It took them awhile to get going Monday night, but if you recall, the only offensive TD they had was the shakey pass from Ben to Holmes that came only becuase of that earlier stupid personal foul on the Ravens. That was it. Yes, they did have three field goals, but overall, they are not scoring much, and that is a concern here.

3. David Garrard - Last season the Jags QB played well in the regular season vs the Steelers, and did it with his legs in the playoffs. He seems to thrive on the Steelers, and while Byron Leftwich, former Jags QB now with the Steelers, may be able to help sharing some secrets on Garrard, he is starting to play better the last two weeks and will be tough to stop here.

4. Protection – This simply goes back to the number one reason, and that is the injuries. The O-line has not played well again after a decent opening day, and against the Jags, you can bet Ben will be on the run, and here’s hoping he can make it out of this one in one piece. He’s simply got to get rid of the ball faster. End of story.

So there you have it. I must have something with that 17-9 score, as even in my picks on NFL Gridiron Gab, I had the Steelers scoring 9, but there I had the Jags scoring 21. Ugh. Here’s hoping I am wrong, but with things the way they are right now, I can’t see it.