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Postgame Takes

Steelers lose to Jaguars, 30-9

The Steelers were unable to get anything going on offense, and fell to the Jaguars 30-9 at Heinz Field.

Two interception returns for touchdowns were too costly for the Steelers to overcome, and the loss drops them to 3-2 on the season.

Any chance of a comeback was also thwarted by two additional interceptions, both by Tashaun Gipson late in the fourth quarter, including one right at the goal line. Roethlisberger had a total of five interceptions on the day, the most of his career.

"We turned the ball over. We didn't take care of it," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Over the course of the game they were able to play in the manner in which they like to play, grind the clock and maintain possession of the ball. It produced the outcome it did. They played a heck of a ball game. They executed their game really well."

After the defense held the Jaguars to a three-and-out, Ben Roethlisberger opened it up for the offense. He went to his go-to guy, hitting Antonio Brown for a 49-yard gain over Jalen Ramsey to the Jaguars 23-yard line on their first offensive play. Le'Veon Bell followed it up with a 10-yard run to the 13-yard line, but the offense wasn't able to get it in the end zone. Chris Boswell was called upon, and hit a 29-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 3-0 lead.

The Jaguars opportunistic defense set them up, when Ramsey intercepted Roethlisberger and returned it to the Steelers 47-yard line. The Jaguars took advantage, going on an eight-play drive that culminated in a two-yard touchdown leap by Leonard Fournette, giving them a 7-3 second quarter lead.

It would be the Steelers defense that would step up next. Ryan Shazier battled to take the ball away from James O'Shaughnessy and come up with the interception off of Blake Bortles. The interception extended the Steelers NFL-leading streak of games with a takeaway to 15 games.  

With only 41 seconds to work with, Roethlisberger hit JuJu Smith-Schuster for 21 yards and Brown for 23 yards to the Jaguars 17-yard line. Roethlisberger couldn't connect with Brown in the end zone, but still made the turnover count with a 34-yard Boswell field goal, going into halftime down, 7-6.

The Steelers got the ball to start the second half, and for the third time had to settle for a Boswell field goal, putting them back on top, 9-7, despite driving all the way to the Jaguars two-yard line. On the drive Roethlisberger connected with Jesse James for five yards, Bell for nine yards, Martavis Bryant for nine yards and JuJu Smith-Schuster for 10 yards. Bell also had three carries for 21 yards. 

A fired up defense wasn't going to let the Jaguars get right back into it, with T.J. Watt shutting the door on their drive sacking Bortles for a three-yard loss, and forcing a punt after the three-and-out.

But it would be the Jaguars defense that would deliver the next blow. Abry Jones tipped Roethlisberger's pass that was intended for Brown, and Telvin Smith intercepted it at the 28-yard line, returning it for a touchdown. The Jaguars took a 13-9 lead after the extra point sailed wide left.

The Jaguars, who came into the game with the NFL's top ranked pass defense, showed way with another pick six on the ensuing drive. Barry Church intercepted Roethlisberger's pass for Brown, and returned it 51 yards for the touchdown, extending the Jaguars lead to 20-9 with 3:59 to play in the third quarter.

The Jaguars pounded it on ground and used up the clock on their next drive. Fournette had 43 yards, while Ivory added 24 yards, on a drive that took 8:07 and culminated in a 47-yard field goal by Jason Myers, extending the lead to 23-9.

The Jaguars closed the door with a 90-yard touchdown run by Fournette in the final minues of the game, giving him 181 yards on the day.

How they scored:A detailed look at today's scoring.

First Quarter: Steelers 3, Jaguars 0
Scoring Play: Chris Boswell 29-yard field goal.
Scoring Summary: 7-61-3:06

Game action photos from the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Second Quarter: Steelers 3, Jaguars 7
Scoring Play: Leonard Fournette two-yard touchdown run.
Scoring Summary: 8-47-4:05

Second Quarter: Steelers 6, Jaguars 7
Scoring Play: Chris Boswell 34-yard field goal.
Scoring Summary: 6-45-0:38

Third Quarter: Steelers 9, Jaguars 7
Scoring Play: Chris Boswell 20-yard field goal.
Scoring Summary: 14-73-6:06

Third Quarter: Steelers 9, Jaguars 13
Scoring Play: Telvin Smith 28-yard interception return for a touchdown. PAT no good.

Third Quarter: Steelers 9, Jaguars 20
Scoring Play: Barry Church 51-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Fourth Quarter: Steelers 9, Jaguars 23
Scoring Play: Jason Myers 47-yard field goal.
Scoring Summary: 13-67-8:07

Fourth Quarter: Steelers 9, Jaguars 30
Scoring Play: Leonard Fournette 90-yard touchdown run.
Scoring Summary: 3-90-1:29

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