This is the 10th in a 13-part weekly series examing the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus their 2020 opponents.
The 10th opponent on the Steelers schedule is a matchup versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 22, at TIAA Bank Field.
First game: Oct. 8, 1995 (Steelers, 16 Jaguars, 20)
Head-to-head record: 12-14
Points scored: Pittsburgh, 475 Jaguars, 514
Longest winning streak: Jaguars (4)
Postseason matchups: 2
Since the Jaguars entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1995, they have been a thorn in the Steelers’ side thanks early-on to the likes of running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, wide receivers Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell and quarterback Mark Brunell. Their defense was nothing to scoff at either.
Before the league realigned divisions effective in 2002, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville belonged in the same division. Because the AFC Central was one of two divisions with only four teams, the league stuck the Jags in with the Steelers, and they faced each other twice annually through 2001.
In their first-ever matchup in 1995, the only Steelers touchdown was an 18-yard pass from Neil O’Donnell to wide receiver Steve Avery. The rest of the contest was a game of field goals — by both teams. Three successful field goals by Norm Johnson were not enough to beat the league’s newest team, and the Steelers fell to 3-3.
Pittsburgh and Jacksonville traded wins for the next three seasons. More than half of their games (18 total) have been won or lost by 10 points or less.
There has been one shutout in the series, won 9-0 by the Jaguars in 2006.
After two consecutive losses to the Jags, including a painful playoff loss in 2018, the Steelers won their last meeting 20-16 in Jacksonville.
The Steelers will be looking to bring their head-to-head record closer to even in November.
