The Jacksonville Jaguars will be headed off to Pittsburgh this weekend to play the Steelers after a Week 7 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
The Jaguars have continued their hot streak and have a chance to extend it versus an over-performing Steelers squad. Pittsburgh is 4-2, while Jacksonville sits at 5-2.
Both teams are on a winning streak with the Steelers winning two in a row and the Jaguars winning a fourth straight. Jacksonville has been firing on all cylinders, even with a bevy of injuries.
Here are five Jacksonville players to watch as the Jaguars take on the Steelers in Week 8:
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is coming off a strong performance against the Saints. Despite a leg injury in Week 6, Lawrence connected on 20 of his 29 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team with 59 rushing yards.
Lawrence is still less than 100 percent, but already proved he can play at a high level while banged up, so he could very well do it again.
Facing a defense as physical as the Steelers’, Lawrence could be presented with more of an issue by his opposing defense. Lawrence wasn’t sacked a single time by the Saints, but Pittsburgh is bound to get more pressure.
OT Anton Harrison
One of the keys to protecting Lawrence will be rookie tackle Anton Harrison.
The first-year offensive lineman has faced elite pass rusher after elite pass rusher this season. Chris Jones, Cameron Jordan, and now T.J. Watt. Lining up across from a former Defensive Player of the Year will be no easy task for Harrison.
The tackle has shown flashes throughout the season, but his level of competition hasn’t made it easy on him.
OLB Josh Allen
Outside linebacker Josh Allen has been the best player on the Jaguars’ defense, even with a handful of other players impressing. And Allen will be needed against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh’s offensive front has struggled this year, and quarterback Kenny Pickett doesn’t do well out of structure. If Allen gets fairly consistent pressure, Pickett will likely struggle, making the Steelers’ offense virtually nonexistent.
Allen has seven sacks and two forced fumbles so far this year.
CB Darious Williams
Tyson Campbell will either miss Sunday’s game or play through a hamstring injury. Either way, cornerback Darious Williams will need to show up.
If Campbell plays, he might not be at full strength, so Williams may need to pick up some slack. If Campbell doesn’t play, Williams will need to make up the difference.
Williams has been one of the better players on the team this season. He has 11 deflected passes, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles through seven games.
S Andre Cisco
With a long week of rest, the Jaguars could use a healthy Andre Cisco. The third-year safety has become one of the most reliable players on the Jacksonville defense.
While Pickett doesn’t push the ball downfield much, he has the weapons to be able to do so. George Pickens is a spectacular catch waiting to happen, and Calvin Austin III has the ability to make a big play at any given moment.
Cisco already has four deflected passes, three interceptions, and a forced fumble this year.
