PITTSBURGH – The story of Week 3 for the Pittsburgh Steelers was one of frustration, resilience, and ultimately, a lesson in missed opportunities. What began as a sluggish start turned into a desperate comeback attempt, only to end in disappointment, as the Jacksonville Jaguars earned their first win of the season in a 38–35 thriller that dropped the Steelers to 1–2 on the year.
For a team that came into the matchup riding the momentum of an offensive explosion in Week 2, this one hurt. The Jaguars, winless entering the game, found rhythm behind a surprising two-quarterback rotation, while the Steelers’ early turnovers dug them into a hole they couldn’t fully climb out of.
A Sluggish Start
From the opening whistle, it was clear that something was off for the Pittsburgh offense. Quarterback Desmond Ridder, who had been nearly flawless against the Saints a week earlier, struggled to find his timing. His first two drives stalled out on poor reads.
Turnovers proved costly, as the Jaguars turned each mistake into points. When the Jaguars’ offense, led by the unexpected dual-threat spark of Tommy Mellott, punched in another rushing touchdown midway through the second, Pittsburgh found itself trailing 21–7.
“It was a rough start, no doubt,” head coach DK LaFleur said postgame. “We put ourselves behind early with mistakes that you just can’t make against a team that thrives on momentum. You can’t spot anyone 14 points in this league and expect it not to come back to bite you.”
Ridder Rallies Late
To his credit, Ridder didn’t fold. After his rocky beginning, the veteran quarterback settled in and began to showcase the accuracy and confidence that defined his Week 2 masterpiece. He finished the game completing 29 of 41 passes (70%) for 386 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, posting a 112.4 passer rating despite the early miscues.
Once the offense settled down, Pittsburgh’s playmakers began to reassert themselves. Tight end Jonnu Smith was a force over the middle, hauling in 7 catches for 100 yards, providing the safety valve Ridder needed to extend drives. Wide receiver Alec Pierce continued his strong start to the season with 5 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Amon-Ra St. Brown added 4 catches for 62 yards, keeping the chains moving in critical moments.
Even with the loss, Ridder’s resilience was encouraging. “You’ve got to have short-term memory as a quarterback,” he said afterward. “The first quarter can’t define your game. We fought back, and we gave ourselves a chance. We just ran out of time.”
Nate Carter’s Dual Impact
If there was a bright spot on the day, it was the continued versatility of Nate Carter, who once again proved why he’s one of the most complete backs in the league. Carter rushed 10 times for 44 yards, averaging only 4.4 yards per carry, but it was his receiving work that stood out. He caught several key passes out of the backfield, finishing with 86 receiving yards and a touchdown that helped ignite Pittsburgh’s second-half comeback attempt.
Carter’s 130 total yards from scrimmage were a testament to his ability to stay productive even when the ground game stalls. Jacksonville’s defensive line limited rushing lanes all afternoon, but Carter’s patience and hands kept drives alive.
“He’s doing everything we’re asking of him,” LaFleur said. “He’s protecting, he’s catching, and he’s creating yards where there shouldn’t be any. He’s been consistent. We just need to give him more opportunities in better situations.”
The Two-Headed Jaguar
If there was one storyline that defined this game, it was the Jaguars’ quarterback rotation with an unusual, yet highly effective strategy that caught the Steelers off guard.
Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence handled the bulk of the passing duties, finishing 15 of 27 for 113 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, while also adding 38 rushing yards on the ground. But it was the athletic rookie Tommy Mellott who stole the show, turning the game into a showcase of improvisation and athleticism.
Mellott only threw three passes and all completions, totaling 61 yards, but it was his legs that defined the afternoon. On designed runs, scrambles, and read-options, he gashed Pittsburgh’s defense for 120 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Every time it looked like the Steelers were about to regain momentum, Mellott found a way to extend the drive or punch the ball into the end zone.
“He changed the whole dynamic of the game,” linebacker Patrick Queen said. “We game-planned for Trevor, but Mellott’s speed added another dimension. You can’t prepare for that kind of shift midgame. We’ve got to be better adjusting on the fly.”
Queen Does It All
Despite the defensive struggles, Patrick Queen turned in one of the best individual performances of his Steelers career. The middle linebacker filled the stat sheet with 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and an interception that gave the Steelers a spark late in the second half.
His forced fumble led directly to a Pittsburgh score that momentarily closed the gap. However, the defense couldn’t sustain the momentum. Jacksonville’s offensive rhythm kept the Steelers off balance all afternoon.
The Missed Opportunities
Even as the game wound down, Pittsburgh had its chances. A late touchdown pass to Alec Pierce brought the score within three, but it was too late, and the Steelers were unable to get the Jags off the field for 1 last drive to potentially tie or win the game.
“We can’t dig holes for ourselves and expect to climb out every week,” LaFleur said postgame. “We’ve got to start faster, finish stronger, and be sharper in the middle. That’s on all of us as a team.”
Moving Forward
At 1–2, the Steelers are far from panic mode, but LaFleur and company know they’ve let one slip away. The early interceptions, the missed tackles on Mellott, and the inability to finish red zone drives all contributed to a loss that stings more than most.
Still, there’s perspective. The offense showed resilience after the slow start, the defense forced turnovers, and players like Carter and Queen continue to perform at a high level. The pieces are there, but the consistency just hasn’t followed yet.
“This one’s going to stick with us,” Ridder admitted. “We know what we’re capable of. It’s about putting it together for four quarters. When we do that, we’ll be tough to stop.”
The Steelers go on the road next week with a chance to regroup, refocus, and make the best of the opporunity in front of them.
– Forged In Steel Times
