Brunell’s 2 TDs and Taylor’s ground game set the tone in a gritty AFC Central showdown
Jacksonville, FL — Mark Brunell threw for two touchdowns and the Jaguars leaned on Fred Taylor’s consistent running to grind out a 17–10 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. It wasn’t flashy—but it was efficient, physical, and full of statement plays as Jacksonville improved to 3–2 on the season.
🕒 Game Summary
The Jags came out swinging. Brunell led a clinical opening drive that blended pinpoint passes with bruising runs from Fred Taylor, capped off by a 20-yard TD strike to Jimmy Smith. Jacksonville’s 8-play, 69-yard drive (32 rushing, 37 passing) set the tone early and gave them a 7–0 lead.
Pittsburgh responded with poise. Kordell Stewart opened with a 22-yard dart to Troy Edwards, then mixed in a 14-yard run from Matt Cushing and key checkdowns to Jerome Bettis. But the drive stalled inside the 10, and the Steelers had to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Kris Brown to close the gap to 7–3.
The Jags pulled away late in the second quarter. After a quick sequence of toss plays, Brunell uncorked a 42-yard TD pass to Keenan McCardell, extending the lead to 14–3. A Stewart interception on the next drive—his first of the season—gave Jacksonville another chance before halftime, but they ran out of time deep in Steelers territory.
The second half was a grind. Defensive pressure, dropped passes, a key fumble, and conservative play-calling kept both teams off the board until the 4th. With 1:54 to play, a 30-yard FG from Mike Hollis pushed the lead to 17–3.
Stewart rallied late, hitting Plaxico Burress for a big gain and then delivering a 50-yard bomb to Edwards to set up 1st-and-goal. Hines Ward capped the drive with a 4-yard TD grab, closing the gap to 17–10 with seconds to go. But the onside attempt failed, and Jacksonville ran out the clock—fittingly with a 27-yard strike to Jimmy Smith.
🧠 Player of the Game
Mark Brunell – QB, Jaguars
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10/16, 201 Yards, 2 TDs
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Calm, calculated, and accurate in the red zone.
📈 Scoring Summary
| QTR | Scoring Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | J. Smith 20 yd REC (8-play, 69 yd drive) | JAX 7–0 |
| 2nd | K. Brown 24 yd FG (9-play, 60 yd drive) | JAX 7–3 |
| 2nd | K. McCardell 42 yd REC (6-play, 67 yd drive) | JAX 14–3 |
| 4th | M. Hollis 30 yd FG (10-play, 51 yd drive) | JAX 17–3 |
| 4th | H. Ward 4 yd REC (5-play, 64 yd drive) | JAX 17–10 |
🔥 Top Performers
Jaguars
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Fred Taylor: 20 carries, 94 yards (4.7 avg)
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Jimmy Smith: 2 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
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Keenan McCardell: 2 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
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Reggie Barlow: 3 catches, 58 yards + 29-yard run
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Fernando Bryant: 1 INT, 2 passes defensed
Steelers
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Troy Edwards: 5 catches, 113 yards + 19-yd punt return
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Kordell Stewart: 11/24, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
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Hines Ward: 1 catch, 4 yards, 1 TD
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Jason Gildon: 2 sacks, drive-killing pressure
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Josh Miller: 2 punts, 103 yards (51.5 avg), 1 inside 20
🧮 Team Stats
| Category | Steelers | Jaguars |
|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | 286 YDS | 342 YDS |
| Time of Possession | 6:47 | 13:13 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 2/5 | 5/9 |
| Sacks For | 3 | 2 |
The Jaguars now head into Week 6 with momentum, while Pittsburgh will be looking to regroup and get healthy after losing two key starters to injury.
🏥 Injury Report
| Team | Player | Injury | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | D. Darius (SS) | Mild Concussion | 4 Weeks |
| Steelers | M. Bruener (TE) | Broken Collarbone | 6 Weeks |
| Steelers | A. Faneca (G) | Broken Jaw | 5 Weeks |
📆 Next up: The Jaguars face a fierce divisional foe in the Baltimore Ravens , while the Steelers head to the Meadowlands to face a red-hot NY Jets.
Alright, so Jacksonville pulling out a W is like when your Madden strategy proves boss-level, but IRL, they played like a bunch of conservative boomers. Choices were safer than my playlist full of classic bangers 🎶. Mark Brunnell and Fred Taylor in simpatico mode? That’s like listening to the Black Album on repeat – timeless 🐐. Steelers, though, acting like they thought the field was a TikTok dance floor. Two measly turnovers? Jesus, even my PS5 controller goes harder. Can we talk about Jaguars’ red zone owning and Steeler’s rusty path to turnover town? Peak boomer vibes.
Also, LEARN from history, Steelers: 4th and 19. Conversion. Not even my QB1 in Madden would call that, dude! BRB gonna watch Troy Edwards highlights to remember when Pittsburgh had puppies fighting with the big dogs. Okay Steelers, forever a mid-tier team unless y’all find a QB who can rival THE boldness of my Madden-created superstar. FACTS. 💀
WOW, what a “coincidence” the Jags “grind” out a win with NO TURNOVERS and a perfectly timed run game. 🤔 Meanwhile, the Steelers JUST HAPPEN to stall in the red zone, letting the Jags jump to an early lead! Don’t forget the 4th and 19 “conversion” attempt—more like CONversion therapy for ratings! CONNECT THE DOTS, folks! We’ve seen games swing “miraculously” with “strategic” officiating moves. Time of possession all lopsided, Steelers barely moving the chains—same story, different script! Strange how Jacksonville “finishes strong” just as the Steelers “find” a way to mess up. WAKE UP SHEEPLE! NFL is clearly about keeping certain narratives alive and well. Just like that infamous “Tuck Rule” game 😉
We FINALLY gave those undefeated Steelers a reality check! Our Jags played with grit, heart, and all the hustle this town stands for. Shoutout to our defense for stepping up big and holding Stewart in check. When Taylor is running like that, we’re near unstoppable. It’s games like these that make me say WE NEVER REBUILD, WE JUST RELOAD. And to anyone doubting Mark Brunell’s leadership? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW? Our guys are in it, people! Watch out, AFC Central! We’re coming with that Duval fire! 🐆💪 #DUVAL #JagNation
Yo, this Jags vs. Steelers recap feels like a trip down memory lane. Brunell dishing out dimes and Freddy Taylor running like a truck? Absolute W. 💪 Steelers really thought they could just stroll into Jacksonville and come out with a dub, but nah, Jags showed up big time. That defense low-key underrated, snagging picks like it’s routine. And the player stats? Basically a Madden game IRL. Fred Taylor was busting off 4.7 yards per carry like it was nothing! Steelers gotta go back to the drawing board, for real. Losing key starters and coming up short on offense = L. Sorry, but that’s just reality. Week 6 better bring the heat or fans are gonna be big mad. 😤🔥 #DuvalDominance #BrunellTheGOAT
Whoa, what a game! Jacksonville’s defense took care of business while Brunell and Taylor did just enough. Steelers tried hard, but those turnovers hurt. Can’t wait to see the Jags battle the Ravens next week. But hey, speaking of teams on fire, how about those Jets? They’ve been on a roll, and the upcoming game against the Steelers will show everyone why they’re the real deal. Love my Jets! 🏈
Let me start by saying I’m no Jags fan, but watching Mark Brunell dismantle the Steelers with those precise passes was a treat. I mean, two TDs? The man was in command like it was his default setting—but let’s be honest, hearing anything positive about the Steelers warms my Jets-loving heart anyway.
And oh Fred Taylor, grinding out 94 yards like it was just another Sunday stroll! Makes me almost nostalgic for when Curtis Martin would carry the Jets on his back like Atlas holding up the world.
But then there’s Vinny “hold my interception” Testaverde. You just know if he were in that game, we’d see at least two balls served up on a silver platter for the Jaguars. Ah, memories of those soul-crushing Testaverde turnovers still haunt my dreams. 😅
Injury-wise, poor Steelers losing Faneca and Bruener is rough, but no tears from me. I’m saving those for our own o-line when Vinny would inevitably put them in the trenches of must-catch-up mode with every throw trying to hit the hot dog guy in the upper bleachers.
Did I mention that the Jaguars have to face the Ravens next? May their fortunes be better than those days when we’d pray Curtis Martin would take a handoff from Testaverde and just run 80 yards to save us from another ill-fated pass.