Steelers Effort Seriously Questioned By Jaguars Safety Following Demoralizing Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it a habit to place the majority of the game onto the shoulders of their defense, and so far it has gotten them to a 4-3 record that and the playoffs are reachable. However, despite the seemingly positive standing, the Steelers hardly impressed the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars during their loss in Week 8 of 2023. According to the players on that Jacksonville squad, Sunday's game wasn't at all what they were expecting.

Steelers Don't Live Up To Jaguars Expected Hype

When the Steelers faced off against the Jaguars in Week 8, Jacksonville came into the game expecting a true dogfight between two surging teams. Instead, they ran right into the two things you are sure to see from the 2023 Steelers: a stifling defense and a hapless offense. Both were on full display, with Pittsburgh's offense wasting yet another solid outing from one of the NFL's most expensive defenses.

Following the Jaguars' victory, it was apparent that the comments made by George Pickens earlier in the week hadn't been missed by their players. Pickens decided it was a good idea to entice the Jaguars by saying that their defense was built on hope rather than actually being formidable. Since the Jacksonville defense held the Steelers to 10 total points, it looks like the Jaguars got the better of that exchange. This wasn't lost on Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who didn't hold back in his postgame comments. He also threw in a little shade at Pickens just to make it extra spicy.

"We'd have hoped they would have put up a better fight than that."

Considering that the Steelers offense went three and out on their first four offensive possessions, Jenkins doesn't seem all that far off. Entering the game, both teams were on respective winning streaks and brought a great deal of promise into the game. Even the Steelers seemed to have put some things together following their win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, but apparently, it was to no avail.

Jenkins wasn't the only Jaguars player to get his shots in regarding the Pickens comments. Jacksonville linebacker Foyesade Oluokun made his reference a bit more direct, ensuring that Pickens would think twice before making off-handed comments about another team's defense ahead of a big matchup. Jacksonville may not be the absolute shutdown defense that they were in the days of Jalen Ramsey and company, but that doesn't mean they don't still have a ton of pride.

"I guess we hoped pretty well today."

When you look back at both the final score (20-10) and the overall performance that Pittsburgh left on the field, it's hard to disagree with Oluokun. The Jaguars came in with a chip on their collective shoulders, and they got the last word in against Pickens and the Steelers.

Steelers' Pickens Words Heard By Defense, Says Engram

Jacksonville tight end, Evan Engram had a solid game against the Steelers with 10 catches for 88 yards, consistently giving Trevor Lawrence a space to throw into. After going up against the vaunted Steelers defense, Engram was asked about the comments Pickens had made. Engram grinned before he answered, making it obvious that the subject of what Pickens had said was discussed quite a bit before the game.

Despite the confidence that Pickens had prior to the game, the spoils went to the victors, and the Jaguars emerged victorious on Sunday. Engram made it quite clear that their defense considers themselves to be every bit as talented as what Pittsburgh fields each week. Considering the final result, that's another statement that is hard to argue with. Engram was asked if the defense heard what Pickens said, and they definitely did.

"Trust me, they for sure did, and they answered that today. They let the pads do the talking. They let the results do the talking. We're gonna continue to do that. Our defense, man, they're our leaders right now."

The Steelers fell to 4-3, while the streaking Jaguars kept climbing to 6-2 with the giants of the AFC. There is still a long way left in the 2023 campaign, but if the Steelers want another chance to avenge this loss in January, then it is going to take a lot more than locker-room words for that to be accomplished.

What will the Steelers' final record be when 2023 finishes? #SteelerNation