IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars to kickoff at 1:00pm EST in Week 8 on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (+2.5) with a Total of 42.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications.

Jeff Hartman

The Steelers have won back-to-back games, yet the Jaguars have won four straight. Something has to give. The Jags are coming off a mini-bye week after they beat the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. The Steelers are returning from a west coast swing, and victory, in Los Angeles. What does this boil down to? I have no clue what will happen with this team from week-to-week, but I have a good feeling about this one. It will be close, ugly at times, and yet the Steelers will find a way to win. Sound familiar?

Prediction: Steelers 23, Jaguars 20

Dave Schofield

There are a lot of things about this matchup I don’t like. I don’t like that this is the Steelers best opponent they face for a long time as they in the Ravens are the only teams left on their schedule who currently have five wins. I don’t like that Jacksonville is coming off of 10 days rest playing on Thursday last week. I don’t like it’s supposed to be raining throughout the game with the Jaguars having one of the best run defenses in the NFL. All those things have me very wary to pick the Steelers. But if the Steelers somehow pull off this game, the rest of the AFC should be put on notice. I’m not sure the Steelers are that team yet, but they’re getting closer.

Prediction: Jaguars 27, Steelers 23

Jeremy Betz

I’m torn between picking this game how I actually believe it will play out or picking Jacksonville to win because every time I’ve picked a Steelers opponent, our Men of Steel have come away victorious. Sensibility prevails in this case and I’m riding with my Steelers this week. I think they have just enough pass rush and can beat the Jags through the air en route to a close, higher scoring outing.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Jaguars 23

Anthony Defeo

The Steelers are 4-2 despite some telling stats that would suggest they should have the opposite record. The Jaguars are a team on the rise and led by a head coach with a great offensive mind. Furthermore, Trevor Lawrence appears to be oh so close to breaking through as one of the great quarterbacks in the league. The Jags defense leads the league in takeaways with 16, which means it might finally be a game where Kenny Pickett has turnover issues. Jacksonville is great against the run. Pittsburgh isn’t great against the run or while running. With all that in mind, you better believe I’m picking the Steelers. It’s just been one of those wacky years.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Jaguars 21

Shannon White

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the few franchises that have given the Steelers problems since their expansion franchise origin, especially when they were division rivals. Maybe because of that familiarity, the Jaguars have no fear of playing in the Steel City. Tons of trash talk this week between the two rosters, which I actually believe benefits the Steelers. Sticking with my Pump Your Brakes podcast prediction.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Jaguars 21

Bradley Locker

The Steelers’ win against the Rams was (of course) very sloppy, but what was really encouraging was run-blocking throughout the entirety of the game, and Kenny Pickett’s play in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, I have almost no faith that those two much-maligned parts of Matt Canada’s offense will manifest themselves for a long stretch against the Jaguars. Jacksonville hasn’t totally hit its stride yet, but I expect Trevor Lawrence to make several game-changing plays in this one (watch out for his legs), and wouldn’t be surprised if Pickett turns it over against a defense that’s already hauled in nine interceptions and forced eight fumbles.

Prediction: Jaguars 26, Steelers 20

Big Bro Scho

I want to hop on board the hype train. I really, really do, but I’m just not there quite yet. We have yet to see the Steelers put together 60 quality minutes in a game, and I am not sure we have even seen the Steelers put together 45 quality minutes in a game yet this season. That is the main reason I am not yet on the hype train. I am thrilled the Steelers are 4-2 right now, and when they start putting it all together they will be a team to be reckoned with, but until they can start putting together close to a full game of good play it is tough to pick them every week. This week the Steelers play a Jaguars team that has been getting by pretty much in the same way, so something has to give. It will be close, but I see the Steelers dropping a close one at home.

Prediction: Jaguars 23, Steelers 21

K.T. Smith

I’m not going to lie – I don’t like this matchup for Pittsburgh. The Steelers are playing pretty well, but so are the Jags. The Jags are fast, and speed typically gives Pittsburgh problems. I think Doug Pederson is great at creating matchups and disguising his base schemes. Pittsburgh is coming back from a big win on the west coast with a three-game homestand ahead. Totally feels like a let-down game. Which means, of course, I’m taking the Steelers to win.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Jaguars 20

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 8 game between the Steelers and Jaguars.