Steelers @ Jacksonville: The Matchups

Sunday evening may be a study in frustration.

To say that the Pittsburgh has always struggled against the Jaguars is something of an understatement: Their overall record in games played at Jacksonville since the Jaguars entered the league is 3-7; and in their last five meetings overall(including the playoffs) the Steelers are 1-4.

In those five most recent games the Steelers' quarterback (i.e. Tommy Maddox and Ben Roethlisberger) has been sacked sixteen times, including eleven time in two games last season.

And, as noted below, Ben Roethlisberger enters this game as the Steelers leading, active rusher this season with 26 yards.

Lovely.

With expectations properly lowered we offer this week's peek at the numbers:

Jacksonville Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Jacksonville offense 24th (302.5) v. Steelers defense 2nd (236.3 )

Average net rushing yards per game: Jacksonville offense 12th (126.5) v. Steelers defense 4th (74.0)

Average net passing yards per game: Jacksonville offense 20th (176.0) v. Steelers defense 9th (162.3)

Average points per game: Jacksonville offense 21st(19.75) v. Steelers defense 3rd (12.67)

Steelers Offense v. Jacksonville Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 29th (250.8) v. Jacksonville defense 18th (326.3)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 21st (100.5) v. Jacksonville defense 14th (101.3)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 28th (150.3) v. Jacksonville defense 24th (225.0)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 20th (19.25) v. Jacksonville defense 15th (21.25)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Jacksonville 5th (14.0) v. Steelers 32nd (3.4)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Jacksonville 21st (9.5) v. Steelers 3rd (5.2)

Average yards per kick return: Jacksonville 7th (25.6) v. Steelers 29th (19.0)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Jacksonville 1st (16.9) v. Steelers 5th (19.4)

Net yardage punting average: Jacksonville 26th (35.5) v. Steelers 10th (39.2)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Jacksonville 5th (34.2) v. Steelers 32nd (44.9)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Jacksonville 17th (0) v. Steelers 2nd (+4)

Time of possession: Jacksonville 2nd (32:47) v. Steelers 23rd (29:21)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Jacksonville 29th (35.7%) v. Steelers 3rd (66.7%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Jacksonville 31st (75.0%) v. Steelers 15th (44.4%)

Sacks allowed: Jacksonville 19th (10) v. Steelers 31st (16)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: David Garrard, 10th (77.7) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 6th (93.4)

Leading rushers: Fred Taylor, 10th (213 yards) v. Willie Parker, 6th (243 yards)

Note: The Steelers leading rusher, Willie Parker, is out. Their second leading rusher, Rashard Mendenhall, is out. Their third leading rusher is Ben Roethlisberger who has 26 yards.

Leading receivers: Matt Jones, 5th (20 catches, 233 yards, 11.7 per catch, 1 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 18th (17 catches, 226 yards, 13.3 yards per catch, 3 touchdowns)