The Pittsburgh Steelers are busy preparing for their Week 8 opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars. This will be one of the most difficult tests the Steelers have had this season as the Jaguars sit at an impressive record of 5-2 and currently are in fourth place in the AFC. The Steelers will need to be able to hold the Jaguars on defense, while also moving the ball efficiently through the air and the run game. Steelers second-year wide receiver George Pickens was asked in a media scrum about the Jaguars pass defense, and didn't seem too impressed.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receiver George Pickens lines up against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant in a 2023 regular season game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Steelers' Pickens Roasts The Jaguars Pass Defense
The Jaguars pass defense has given up the most passing yards in the NFL so far in 2023 as they have given up 1,917 yards while allowing a completion percentage of nearly 64 percent. On the other hand, the Steelers offense has been struggling this season as Kenny Pickett has yet to eclipse the 235 passing yards mark in a single game this season. With the Jacksonville defense struggling mightily in this area, the Pittsburgh passing game should be looking to exploit the Jaguars secondary. When Pickens was asked about the Jaguars defense, he said they were built on hope.
"I think it's their defensive line. They depend on their defensive line a lot. With their team, you know having a lot of first-round guys on that defensive line, that's what they depend on a lot. They kind of you know, hope. Hope the guys hold up long enough. It's kind of a hope defense for sure."
Pickens is referring to the two edge rushers on the Jaguars roster who were each picked highly in their respective draft classes. Josh Allen was drafted in 2019 with the seventh overall pick, and Travon Walker is a second-year player who was the first overall pick in 2022. Pickens referred to the defensive backs in Jacksonville hoping their pass-rushers could get to the quarterback, and the pass-rushers hoping the secondary can hold good coverage for long enough to give them enough time to get to the quarterback. Stating everything they do is based on hope.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Diontae Johnson (#18) gets ready for the Los Angeles Rams.
Pickens is coming off of a string of good games and is showing a lot of improvement from his rookie season in 2022. He has had over 100 yards in three different games this season. This includes the past two games in which he totaled 11 receptions, 237 receiving yards, and one touchdown which ended up being the game winner against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers also got their number one receiver back in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams, as Diontae Johnson played in his first game since Week 1 when he suffered a hamstring injury. Johnson had five receptions for 79 receiving yards in the Steelers Week 7 victory. He is one of Pickett's most reliable receivers, and is a very strong route runner that clearly helped open up the passing game for Pittsburgh.
Ben Solomon / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Diontae Johnson makes a catch in a victory against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Jacksonville has given up 300 or more passing yards in their last three games to Derek Carr, Gardner Minshew, and Josh Allen. Pickett has a very good chance to achieve another 300-yard passing game in his career, especially with his wide receivers being at full health.
With Johnson back, Pickens performing at a high level, and Allen Robinson being a reliable veteran receiver, the passing game should be able to explode in Week 8. As long as the offensive line is able to hold up against the Jaguars young pass rush, and the Steelers run game is able to be somewhat efficient, Pickett, Pickens, and Johnson should light up the box score.
What do you think about Pickens' comments directed at the Jaguars passing defense? Let us know in the comments below!
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