National Football League

Jaguars observations: Defense looks better despite another loss

Published Oct. 5, 2014 4:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After giving up an average of more than 450 yards a game during an 0-4 start, the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn't quibble with how their defensive played Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The problem that, at the most inopportune time, Blake Bortles played like a rookie.

In a game far more low-scoring than anticipated, it was a mistake by Bortles in his first start at home that made the largest difference. Steelers cornerback Brice McCain stepped in front of a pass intended for wide receiver Allen Hurns early in the fourth quarter and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.

"I should have just thrown it over his head and given us a shot on third down," Bortles said of the play that originally was supposed to have been a run.

With the first-round pick unable to lead the Jaguars into the end zone, McCain's score was all the Steelers needed to come away victorious on an afternoon where Ben Roethlisberger's statistics weren't too big.

"This one hurts. They all hurt," coach Gus Bradley said. "We had chances. We just didn't play good enough in certain situations."

Bortles might find some sliver of consolation in that since Dick LeBeau returned in 2004 as their defensive coordinator, the Steelers now have an 18-2 record against rookie quarterbacks.

Here are five takeaways and observations from the 17-9 loss:

1. For most of the day, this was the defense people were figuring on seeing a month ago.

While the Steelers outgained the Jaguars 372-243 and finished with an advantage in time of possession, Roethlisberger didn't have the kind of day that Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck enjoyed the previous two weeks. Except for a 1-yard touchdown pass to backup tight end Michael Palmer – his first reception all season – with 1:53 to go before halftime, their offense never crossed the goal line.

A three-and-out on the Steelers' opening possession suggested things could be better for the Jaguars' much-maligned defense. Maybe the release of safety Winston Guy on Monday served as a wake-up call for the entire unit. Even with cornerback Dwayne Gratz inactive because of a concussion, the secondary looked to be improved, although safety Josh Evans missed an open-field tackle on running back Le'Veon Bell shortly before Roethlisberger's TD pass.

"It was definitely better than what we did the past four games," safety Johnathan Cyprien said. "We'll just take it as a positive and try to improve even on that."

The points were the fewest the Jaguars have allowed since a 13-6 victory at Houston last November.

2. Behold, a takeaway.

Not since Alan Ball's end-zone interception of a pass by Philadelphia's Nick Foles in the season opener had the Jaguars created a turnover. That finally changed early in the fourth quarter.

With the Steelers threatening to increase their 10-9 lead, Abry Jones had a sack and strip of Roethlisberger. Andre Branch made the recovery at the Jaguars 17. Although that fired up the non-Steelers portion of the crowd, that momentum wound up being short-lived as McCain's game-changing pickoff of Bortles came moments later.

"If you play with effort, you'll get those type of plays," Branch said. "And that's what we pride ourselves on – effort."

The Jaguars did a better than adequate job of holding wide receiver Antonio Brown and tight end Heath Miller in check. Brown was targeted 12 times but had only five receptions, with his 30-yard gain coming despite excellent coverage from Will Blackmon. Miller was silent until the Steelers began their touchdown drive in the second quarter with a 27-yard completion to him down the middle.

In all, Roethlisberger's 26 completions went to 11 different receivers.

3. The absence of explosive plays was striking.

Bortles' didn't have a completion of at least 20 yards until his screen pass to Toby Gerhart in the third quarter. It was much different from his start at San Diego last week, which included passes of 44 yards to Hurns and 30 to tight end Clay Harbor.

The absence of Cecil Shorts III and the return of Ace Sanders from a four-game suspension both seemed to have little impact. Sanders had two receptions, both of which went for only six yards.

The one time Bortles went deep in the first half, the result was an interception by Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen. Considering the Jaguars were backed up to their own 9, the play was almost like a punt. And since the defensive stiffened with the help of a sack by Jones, the turnover didn't cost them at all.

The Jaguars converted two third downs on an opening drive that lasted almost eight minutes and led to the first of Josh Scobee's three field goals. After that, they were only 1 of 8 in that category.

"We've got to get touchdowns instead of field goals," Bortles said. "And we can't turn it over."

4. More than half of the starting offense consisted of rookies.

Bortles was far from the only first-year player going up against one of the league's most experienced defenses. Even with second-round pick Marqise Lee missing his third game in a row with a hamstring injury, the Jaguars started six rookies: Bortles, Hurns, center Luke Bowanko, guard Brandon Linder, tight end Nic Jacobs and wide receiver Allen Robinson.

On top of that, running back Storm Johnson made his regular-season debut. The seventh-rounder out of UCF had his first carry negated by a holding penalty, but he opened a drive in the third quarter with a 20-yard gain.

On defense, linebacker Telvin Smith – a fourth-round selection out of Florida State – made his first start as the Jaguars chose to go with five defensive backs. Smith and Blackmon opened in place of outside linebackers Geno Hayes and J.T. Thomas.

Hurns ended up with four receptions but had three drops, as well as a holding penalty, in the first half.

5. Five games, and still no touchdowns in third quarter.

Aside from a 36-yard field goal by Scobee, the Jaguars went scoreless following halftime. They went into the game having been outscored 27-3 in the third quarter.

Johnson's run and Gerhart's catch were their only plays of at least 20 yards all game. No running back on the Jaguars carried the ball more than four times.

For what it's worth, this was their first loss of the season that wasn't by double digits.

Next up: Sunday at Tennessee.

You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.