Welcome back for the second half of Pittsburgh Steelers preseason action. The score is 7-6 with the Steelers in the lead. After getting shut out most of the first half, Kenny Pickett led a flawless two minute drill for an easy touchdown to gain the lead. That is two successful two minute drills for Pickett in his first two career preseason games.
Mitch Trubisky did connect on a nice deep pass and continued to show off his mobility and ability to escape pressure, but he overall disappointed in the tune up game. The offensive line remains the main culprit for the offensive woes.
C.J. Beathard checked in at quarterback for the Jaguars to start the half. A one yard run up the middle on 1st down. 2nd and 9, and Beathard’s pass fell incomplete with Derrek Tuszka getting a hand on it at the line. Laquon Treadwell’s receptions was just a few yards short of the first, so the Jaguars will punt. Should be more Kenny Pickett at quarterback here for the Steelers.
Steven Sims back to receive the punt for no gain. Surprisingly, Mason Rudolph in to start the half. I would think this means Chris Oladokun gets some snaps towards the end of the game. Pickett only got two drives, but made them count.
Perhaps Tomlin wants an extended look at Mason Rudolph for teams who may be interested in acquiring him via trade.
The first drive stalled out after George Pickens was brought down for no gain on 3rd and manageable.
Pressley Harvin III’s punt went 48 yards, returned to the 40 yard line.
Beathard tossed deep to Laquon Treadwell, but it was nearly picked off by Chris Steele. On 2nd, a short pass was tackled by Genard Avery for no gain. 3rd and 10, Beathard scrambled, but Damontae Kazee was able to close on him before he picked up the 1st down.
Jaguars special teams unit made a nice play to pin the ball inside the 5 yard line. Mason Rudolph will have an uphill battle ahead of him this drive.
Mason Rudolph was called for intentional grounding in the endzone, so its a safety. Rudolph didn’t look happy talking to the ref about it. Not a great first two drives for Rudolph, but not totally dissimilar to Mitch Trubisky’s play yet. 8-7 Jaguars.
The Steelers punted a booming 76 yarder. Jaguars will begin at their own 18 which is excellent for a free kick.
3rd and 9 for Beathard, and the pass falls incomplete. The punt went into the endzone for a touchback.
Mason Rudolph building a little momentum on his third drive. Stopped short at 4th and 1. Rudolph and the offense stayed in, but Gunner Olszewski fumbled after making a heroic play to nearly convert.
C.J. Beathard picked up 18 yards through the air to Arnold and the Jaguars enter Steelers territory.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: 8-7 JAGUARS
Delontae Scott called for roughing the passer, driving Beathard into the ground after the play.
1st and 10 in the redzone, Mark Robinson stuffed the run for no gain. Defensive holding bailed out the Jaguars offense. A lot of mistakes here for the depth players.
Beathard scrambled up the middle and fought his way into the end zone. 15-7 Jaguars.
Rudolph attempted one deep, but Connor Heyward couldn’t quite pull it in. Offsetting penalties, so its 3rd and 5. Rudolph found Miles Boykin to convert. Boykin fumbled at the end of the play, but it went out of bounds.
Tyler Snead received a pass from Rudolph and lowered his shoulder for a nice pop on the defender. The Steelers are now in Jaguars territory. Tyler Vaughns converted on a quick hook.
Mataeo Durant fumbled the handoff, but picked the ball back up for a 7 yard run. 2nd and 3, Rudolph tossed to Snead for another conversion.
Chris Boswell’s field goal was good. 15-10 Jaguars.
The Jaguars fumbled the kickoff, but recovered. EJ Perry in for the Jaguars at quarterback.
The Steelers depth defenders allowed a 51 yard pass from rookie, Perry.
Justin Layne intercepted the ball in the red zone and returned it to the 50 yard line. A bad pass for Perry.
Mason Rudolph now has a shot at a game winning drive with 3:03 remaining. He is being put in a similar situation as Pickett Last week. Pickett thrived in his chance, so extra pressure on Rudolph.
Tyler Vaughns caught the pass from Rudolph and made a good move to pickup 25 yards. Back to Vaughns the next play for another 21 yards. Vaughns has an uphill battle to make the team, but he is a lock for the practice squad at this point. 3rd and goal at the 6 yard line, Rudolph finds Vaughns again for 5 yards but he was brought down just shy of the goal line.
After the two minute warning, Mason Rudolph will get one play to win the Steelers the game. This feels like an important moment in Rudolph’s career moving forward. Tyler Snead on the quick out to the left and Rudolph put the ball right on the money. Touchdown! Two point attempt, Connor Heyward is the target. A decent placement for Rudolph, but Heyward couldn’t clamp down on the ball. 16-15 Steelers.
The Jaguars and EJ Perry have 1:52 remaining to get into field goal range. Sacked by Demarvin Leal on 1st down with the clock running. Perry incomplete on 2nd down. On 3rd and 12, Justin Layne was beat for 21 yards by Kevin Austin.
Kevin Austin dropped what would have been a 20 yard completion to setup the game winning field goal. 3rd and 8 for the Jaguars.
Ryan Santoso is being sent out for the game winning field goal attempt. 57 yard attempt for Santoso. The kick was well wide, so the Steelers win 16-15.
FINAL SCORE: 16-15 STEELERS
