Steelers vs. Jaguars score, takeaways: Jacksonville pushes Pittsburgh around; Kenny Pickett exits with injury

Jacksonville won despite committing three turnovers

PITTSBURGH -- It's fitting that the Jaguars were in Pittsburgh during the week of Halloween. The Steelers' boogeyman of sorts in past years, Jacksonville once again was a thorn in Pittsburgh's side during Sunday's 20-10 win. 

In addition to the loss, the Steelers lost starting quarterback Kenny Pickett to a rib injury late in the first half. Pickett didn't return to the game as Pittsburgh's offense was led by Mitch Trubisky from that point on. 

Jacksonville largely dominated the game, but several miscues allowed the Steelers to stay in it. In the end, Jacksonville managed to overcome three turnovers and Pittsburgh's resilience to move to 6-2 on the season while remaining in first place in the AFC South. 

The Jaguars took a 9-3 halftime lead despite committing two turnovers deep in Steelers territory. They also missed a chance to take an early 10-0 lead when cornerback Tre Herndon dropped a sure pick-six on Pittsburgh's second possession. 

Jacksonville's game-winning score was courtesy of running back Travis Etienne, whose 56-yard catch-and-carry stretched the lead to 17-3 with 5:05 left in the third. Jacksonville essentially put it away on their on Brandon McManus' fourth field goal following Andrew Wingard's pick of Trubisky, who had given the Steelers life moments earlier on his touchdown pass to George Pickens. 

Here's a closer look at what transpired in Pittsburgh 

Why the Jaguars won 

Jacksonville managed to overcome their mistakes while forcing their own. The Jaguars took the lead, never surrendered it and never allowed the Steelers to take back momentum. 

The Jaguars enjoyed a stellar game from Lawrence, who threw for 292 yards despite absorbing several shots from Pittsburgh's defense. He had a lot of success throwing to Evan Engram and Calvin Ridley, who caught a combined 16 passes for 171 yards. 

Defensively, the Jaguars made the Steelers one-dimensional while putting the game in the hands of the quarterbacks. Expecting a pass on nearly every play, the Jaguars played back and didn't allow the Steelers to make any big plays downfield. 

Jacksonville's dominant day included a perfect kicking performance from McManus, who made field goals of 50, 51, 38 and 37 yards. 

Why the Steelers lost

Once again, Pittsburgh's offense struggled to do anything early on. The unit produced just seven yards in the first quarter and didn't record its first first down until the 9:33 mark in the second half. Specifically, the Steelers' offense continues to struggle on third down. The 27th ranked offense in the NFL on third down coming into the game, Pittsburgh was just 3 of 11 on third down against the Jaguars. 

While their defense kept them in the game, the unit did fail to come up with a stop late in the game. It also allowed too many big plays that included several key third down conversions by Jacksonville. 

Injuries also contributed to the Steelers' loss. Along with losing Pickett, Pittsburgh lost Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the first half with a hamstring injury. 

Turning point 

Pittsburgh was in position to tie the game after forcing a punt with 10:14 left. But Wingard's pick set up the Jaguars' game-clinching scoring drive. Wingard played well in relief of injured starter Andre Cisco, who was inactive. 

Play of the game

Engram's 34-yard catch-and-run was huge as it set up the Jaguars' final points, but the nod here goes to Etienne, whose touchdown catch came after he was ruled as questionable to return with an ankle injury. 

Quotables 

"I don't think we've ever thrown the ball to the running back out there. Gotta give a lot of credit to Travis for staying ready and knowing what the look was. They played a Cover 2. The corner jumped our out (Ridley), and Travis was just rolling down the sideline. ... That's a tough play for the running back. Him being able to haul it and score was a huge play for us." -- Lawrence on his game-winning touchdown pass to Etienne. 

"I was pissed. I had a lot of stuff going through my head. 'Why aren't we moving the ball? What's the issue?' But at the end of the day, like I said, we've just got to keep playing, keep believing in one another." -- Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson on Pittsburgh's ongoing issues on offense, specifically early in games 

What's next 

The Steelers have a short week before they host the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. The Jaguars will enter their bye week before welcoming the 49ers to town in Week 10. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:15 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Final play is a pick by the Jaguars, as JAX prevails in this one, 20-10. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:03 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers commit a turnover on downs, and the Jaguars are putting a bow on this win. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

McManus makes his fourth FG of the game, extending the Jaguars' lead to 20-10. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Engram with another huge catch and run as the Jaguars back in the red zone. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:48 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Bad throw by Trubisky, who didn't see Andrew Wingard, who jumped in front of the pass intended for Allen Robinson. Trubisky is being aggressive, but maybe a tad too aggressive. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:42 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Dan Moore Jr. leaving the game with an apparent injury. So first-round pick Broderick Jones enters the game. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:40 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Watt's ninth sack of the season that forced a Jaguars punt. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:38 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Big sack by Watt takes Jaguars out of FG range, so JAX punts for only the second time today. Punt rolls into the end zone for a TB. So Steelers defense holds and gives their offense the ball back with plenty of time left: 10:14. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:36 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Lawrence is a gamer, not afraid to absorb some punishment. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:35 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Another clutch grab by Engram gives the Jaguars a big first down past midfield. Jaguars now 5-9 on third down. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:29 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Trubisky's TD pass to Pickens: 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:26 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Great pass from Trubisky to Pickens makes it a 17-10 game. Trubisky made a few big plays on that drive, which was 75 yards on 8 plays. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:22 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Etienne's TD: 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:18 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Etienne 56-yard TD catch that was lobbed just over a Steelers defender. Etienne scampers in to 2 to extend their lead to 17-3 with 5:05 left in the third. Back-breaking score two plays after Pickens' catch was overturned. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:13 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Wow, Pickens barely got both feet inbounds, but the officials have yet to make a call. 

Incomplete, and fourth down. Officials' shaky game continues. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:11 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickens makes an incredible catch down the near sideline, but it'll be reviewed. Didn't initially look like he caught the ball. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:57 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Call remains a fumble, to Jaguars commit third turnover of the game. Pickett back in the game. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:53 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Travis Etienne suffered an ankle injury and is questionable to return. Would be a big loss if he can't return. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:52 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Wow, officials initially said Bigsby did not fumble, but now they're awarding the ball to the Steelers. Officiating so far today has been shaky, to say the least. 

Play is now being reviewed. Looked like a fumble for me. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett officially was evaluated for a rib injury. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett is back on the sideline and throwing with Trubisky. He's expected to return to the game. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:48 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's the play where Pickett's injury occurred. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:32 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Boswell misses his first FG of the season after a flag wiped out his made attempt. So it's 9-3 Jaguars at halftime. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:29 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kenny Pickett leaving the game with an injury, so Mitch Trubisky taking ending the first half. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:12 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Holding call against James Pierre gives the Jags a first down in Steelers territory at the 2-minute warning. That's the second penalty today against Pierre. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickett's pass behind Johnson on third and goal, so Steelers settle for a Chris Boswell FG and a 6-3 deficit. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at Kazee's pick. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 1:59 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers will now have the ball near midfield after a DPI on a deep pass intended for Calvin Austin III. 

32-yard penalty. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 1:58 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pickens hits Johnson for first first down of the game for Pittsburgh, with 9:33 left in the first half. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 1:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Just when it appears that the Jags are going to add to their lead, Kazee comes up with a big pick in the end zone, preserving Pittsburgh's 6-0 deficit. Not sure what Lawrence saw there; there were three Steelers defenders in the area.