2023 Jaguars’ Week Eight: Huge Matchups in Steel City

In the Jaguars’ week eight matchup, the Jaguars travel to Pittsburgh. The Jaguars have a history with the Steelers. Back in 2017, Sacksonville terrorized Pittsburgh residents in both the regular season and the playoffs. Leonard Fournette ran wild, and Blake Bortles quarterbacked an offense that could outplay the Big Ben-led Steelers.

Six years later, the Jaguars are coming back to Pittsburgh. The Jaguars’ week eight matchup features a rivalry between two teams that have had nearly polar opposite legacies. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a historic legacy spanning decades. The Jacksonville Jaguars the up-and-coming team that’s faced far more struggles in their early years than the Steelers have ever faced.

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks for the Jaguars, with a solid win streak giving the Jaguars a lead in the AFC South. Heading into the Jaguars’ week eight matchup against the Steelers, the Jaguars offense looks to continue its stretch of impressive play. While the defense looks to further cement themselves as being one of the best defenses in the NFL.

To beat the Steelers and get to 6 and 2, the Jaguars will be tasked with stopping an impressive defense and limiting the Steelers’ dynamic receiving weapons.

Jaguars’ Week Eight: 3 Matchups to Watch For

Anton Harrison and Cam Robinson vs. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith

One of the tougher challenges that Anton Harrison will be tasked with in his rookie season will be going up against T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Both are incredible at rushing the passer or disturbing the run. And while Alex Highsmith would present his challenges for Anton Harrison, T.J. Watt will be an immense challenge for the rookie offensive tackle.

Watt is tied for second in the NFL with eight sacks, which comes from his 29 pressures. Highsmith has 26 pressures, and despite a lower sack total, is still generating good pressure. Looking at PFF pass rush grades, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are top ten amongst players with at least 100 pass rush snaps.

Conversely, Anton Harrison has had his issues protecting Trevor Lawrence. His responsibility in the Jaguars’ week eight matchup will be the toughest he will face all year. Watt has proven to be one of the defensive player of the year candidates, while Alex Highsmith continues to impress. There might be no better pass-rush duo in the NFL, meaning Anton Harrison will have his hands full.

Cam Robinson is less of a concern, but it is still something that deserves watching as the competition is elite. Between Highsmith and Watt, any offensive line will have their hands full. With the Jaguars offensive line struggling out of the gate in 2023, there will be a lot of eyes on whether the rookie and the veteran can hold their own against some of the NFL’s elite pass rushers.

Jaguars Corners vs. George Pickens and Diontae Johnson

George Pickens and Diontae Johnson are a fantastic duo, and the Jaguars corners will have to once again face off against great receivers. In recent weeks, the Jaguars have faced the Bills with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis; the Falcons with Drake London and Kyle Pitts; the Saints with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas; and now the Jaguars’ week eight matchup will be against Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.

This stretch of challenging receiving threats has been well-covered by the Jaguars’ secondary, especially Darious Williams. Williams has been playing like the best cornerback in the league. He’s putting up not only incredible interception and passes-defended but also a ridiculous streak of coverage snaps not allowing a touchdown. Darious Williams is making a name for himself in Jacksonville in 2023.

Tre Herndon has been a solid number three cornerback, and even with the injury to Tyson Campbell, Herndon is more than qualified to be the cornerback in the Jaguars’ week eight matchup. Herndon has a 69.9 coverage grade from PFF, good for a top-40 performance among all corners. His consistency has been incredibly invaluable for the Jaguars, and their current group is performing well enough to be a top-five defensive unit in the league.

As mentioned in the Jaguars vs. Saints Slay or Bomb article, Montaric Brown held his own against the Saints receiving core. If Tyson Campbell were to miss another week, Brown has more than eased concerns for Jaguars fans and coaches in a matchup against another fantastic wide receiver corps.

The Jaguars’ week eight matchup for the Jaguars corners will be a challenge, and the Jaguars are certainly up to the task.

Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley vs. Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace

It’s becoming a common theme for the Jaguars every week. One of the biggest matchups is the opposing corners against Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk. This week is no different, except it’s taking on a different twist. Instead of the previous matchups where the Jaguars will be challenged to overcome tough competition, the Steelers corners haven’t played as well as Steelers fans would’ve hoped. Meaning, this Jaguars’ week eight matchup sets up for the Jaguars receivers to dominate their opposition.

Calvin Ridley has, undoubtedly, gotten off to a frustrating start to his Jaguars career. He’s had his moments, both good and bad, but for the most part hasn’t been utilized as much as one would expect an “Alpha” receiver to be used. Of course, Christian Kirk continuing to play at a high level and Travis Etienne Jr. having his breakout season take some of the attention away. But, there’s still room for improvement, and the Jaguars’ week eight matchup against the Steelers is the time to do it.

Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace have struggled for the Steelers in the 2023 season. Coming off a career resurgence in Minnesota, Peterson has struggled for the Steelers in 2023. Wallace has one of the ten worst coverage grades amongst cornerbacks with at least 200 snaps according to PFF. Both corners have given up four touchdowns each, which is tied for the second most among cornerbacks in the NFL.

In the Jaguars’ week eight matchup, Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk will need to take advantage of this banged-up and disappointing cornerback room in Pittsburgh.

Injury Reports

Jaguars Week Eight Injury Report

• QB – Trevor Lawrence (Knee) – Questionable
• CB – Tyson Campbell (Hamstring) – Questionable
• S – Andre Cisco (Hamstring) – Questionable
• DT – DaVon Hamilton (Back) – Questionable
• WR – Zay Jones (Knee) – Out
• CB – Gregory Junior (Hamstring) – Out
• OT – Walker Little (Knee) – Questionable
• OG – Brandon Scherff (Ankle) – Questionable

The Jaguars’ week eight injury report is a lengthy one. Andre Cisco and Trevor Lawrence are most likely going to play, so there isn’t as much concern for Lawrence as there was before week seven. Tyson Campbell returning would be an immense help against a great receiving corps. Gregory Junior, the preseason standout, will have to wait another week before he can get back out there for the Jaguars, as does Zay Jones.

But, the most interesting ones are Walker Little and DaVon Hamilton. Both would return to fill in positions of need along the offensive and defensive line. With the trade deadline around the corner, getting both of these fantastic players back would be the equivalent of adding players at the trade deadline.

So, having them back would be a huge boost to both sides of the ball, and their injury status should be at the forefront of fans’ minds before the inactive players are known Sunday morning before the Jaguars’ week eight matchup.

Steelers Week Eight Injury Report

• CB – Antony McFarland (Knee) No Designation
• CB – Levi Wallace (Foot) Questionable
• LB – Cole Holcomb (Ankle) No Designation
• OG – Nate Herbig (Illness) No Designation
• WR – Diontae Johnson (Hamstring) No Designation
• DT – Cameron Heyward (Groin) No Designation
• DT – Larry Ogunjobi (Shoulder) No Designation
• CB – Joey Porter Jr. (Calf) Questionable
• CB – James Pierre (Ankle) Questionable

While the injury report for the Pittsburgh Steelers seems long, the majority of the players have no injury designation and are good to go. However, there are clear issues at cornerback. Levi Wallace and Joey Porter Jr. are both dealing with injuries, which could result in both Darius Rush and Luq Barcoo getting reps at corner against the Jaguars

With one of the key matchups this week revolving around the Jaguars receivers against the Steelers cornerbacks, the injuries are worth keeping an eye on leading up until game-time.

Jaguars’ Week Eight Prediction

A great two-game stretch in London followed by a home win and a primetime victory sets the Jaguars up for a great matchup right before their bye week. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a tough opponent, but the Jaguars have had their number in the past. Sacksonville isn’t quite here like in 2017, but the defense has improved immensely in recent years.

The offense with Trevor Lawrence has continued to sharpen, and Press Taylor has become increasingly more comfortable calling plays. With the Jaguars’ week eight matchup, they have the chance to head into their week nine bye at an impressive six and two.

Standing in the Jaguars’ way are the four and two Steelers. Even with the Jaguars’ week eight matchup occurring in Pittsburgh, the Jaguars have found their groove. This game could go either way, but with the Jaguars offense showing their ability to beat elite pass rushers with quick time to throw,  there’s a way to limit the impact of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

I’m staying with my preseason predictions, as even though the Steelers have shown much more than people expected, the Jaguars’ defense and offense have been much more than advertised. I predict the Jaguars’ week eight matchup ends with a Jaguars win, setting the Jaguars at six and two heading into the bye at prime time to make a trade deadline deal.