NFL Preseason Week 2 Game Recap: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Jacksonville Jaguars 15

Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Rudolph led a go-ahead fourth quarter drive to propel the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Jacksonville Jaguars, 16-15, on Saturday night.

Editor’s note: All grades in this article are subject to review. All PFF player grades will be finalized by 12 pm ET tomorrow.


Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback

Player Offensive Grade Big-Time Throws Turnover-Worthy Plays TDs
Mitchell Trubisky 77.8 1 0 0
Kenny Pickett 79.8 0 0 1
Mason Rudolph 59.4 0 0 1
  • Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett each ran with the starters, with both quarterbacks churning out solid play. Pickett averaged 10.9 yards per attempt and a 100% adjusted completion percentage from his seven pass attempts. 
  • Rudolph threw for the most yards of the three Steelers quarterbacks (137) and attempted the most passes (24).

Running Back

  • Steelers running backs finished with only three yards on nine carries — not the most productive day.
  • Both Jaylen Warren and Benny Snell Jr. forced a missed tackle.

Receivers

  • Chase Claypool registered an explosive play on his lone target across 12 offensive snaps.
  • Second-year wideout Tyler Vaughns had three first-down snags and caught four of his six targets.

Offensive Line

  • It was a rough showing for the Steelers' line in run blocking. The unit earned a collective 44.6 run-blocking grade on 13 such snaps, pending review.
  • On the pass-blocking side, the Steelers allowed 10 total pressures, with Dan Moore Jr. accounting for five.

Defensive Line

  • Chris Wormley is set to pace the defensive line in pass-rushing grade after recording three hurries and another rep where he beat his blocker without it resulting in pressure.
  • T.J. Watt played only eight pass-rushing snaps but did produce an early sack.

Linebacker

  • Devin Bush accumulated two run stops to finish with a 72.0 run-defense grade on first review.
  • Genard Avery obtained three total pressures — two hurries and a hit — on 19 pass-rushing snaps. 

Secondary

  • On 11 coverage snaps, Chris Steele forced an incompletion and did not allow a reception to finish with an 81.0 coverage grade, pending review. 
  • Ahkello Witherspoon allowed two catches on three targets across 25 coverage snaps.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Quarterback

  • Trevor Lawrence posted a 7.3-yard average depth of target, a 70.0% adjusted completion percentage and no big-time throws or turnover-worthy plays on 24 dropbacks.
  • Rookie EJ Perry finished with a pending 44.8 passing grade on just 12 dropbacks.

Running Back

  • Travis Etienne handled eight carries for 29 yards and forced a missed tackle.
  • Second-year back Mekhi Sargent took six carries and forced two missed tackles, but all that work amounted to just 12 yards.

Receivers

  • Second-year receiver Tim Jones registered two explosive plays and caught all five of his targets.
  • Free agent signing Christian Kirk reeled in five of his eight targets for three first downs and an explosive pass play. He also caught both of his contested looks.

Offensive Line

  • Walker Little gave up three pressures on 15 pass-blocking snaps, and Cam Robinson gave up two on 24 pass-blocking snaps.
  • Third-round rookie center Luke Fortner stayed clean in pass protection on 24 reps.

Defensive Line

  • No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker registered no pressure on 13 pass-rushing snaps after tallying a hurry in Week 1. He did make a stop in run defense.
  • Arden Key registered four total pressures — two hurries a hit and a sack.

Linebacker

  • Chad Muma led the way with five run stops on 17 run-defense snaps.
  • Free agent pickup Foyesade Oluokun registered a stop on nine run-defense snaps to complete a 70.4 run-defense grade on first review.

Secondary

  • Tyson Campbell gave up three catches on five targets, but for just 22 yards and only one first down.
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