Titans vs Jaguars Game Day Newsletter 4Sept19Titans_Digital | Page 35

Jaguars 9, Steelers 0
Date: September 18, 2006
Site: Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville
Records entering game: Jaguars 1-0, Steelers 1-0
Senior writer John Oehser’s “oral history”
of 25 memorable games in Jaguars history
continues with this look at a 9-0 victory over
the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 – a game
that featured one of the most memorable
atmospheres in franchise history
How It Happened
The Jaguars turned in one of the dominant
defensive performances in franchise history –
and did so on a national stage in one of the most
electric atmospheres ever at Alltel Stadium with
a 9-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The
Jaguars improved to 2-0 on the season and 4-0
against the Steelers in September, snapping the
defending Super Bowl champions’ nine-game
winning streak in the lowest-scoring game in
Monday Night Football history. The shutout was
the Jaguars’ fi rst since shutting out Houston
in 2003, as they forced two turnovers and
held the Steelers to 153 total yards and nine
fi rst downs. The Jaguars moved effectively on
offense with 362 total yards – including 110
rushing – but stagnated throughout the game in
the red zone and managed just three fi eld goals
by Josh Scobee. All of the fi eld goals came in
the second half, and the Steelers had a chance
until Scobee’s 42-yard fi eld goal with just under
fi ve minutes remaining. Jaguars cornerback
Rashean Mathis’ second interception of the game
off Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
came shortly after the two-minute warning.
Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich then
kneeled three times to drain the clock and
secure the victory.
“I wouldn’t say there were too many defenses better – that time or any time. It was
a special defense, all across the board – back end, front, linebackers. We weren’t
weak in any areas, and if there was a slight weakness, we had guys to make up for
it. It was very special.
– CB Rashean Mathis