Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Pittsburgh came into EverBank Stadium without several stars, but their depth players wasted no time making an impression. Mason Rudolph, running the offense with precision, completed 9 of 10 passes for 84 yards on the opening drive before firing a 19-yard touchdown to tight end Darnell Washington. The Steelers’ early execution was crisp, marked by clean pocket protection and sharp route running, giving them a quick 7-0 lead and putting Jacksonville immediately on the back foot.

The Jaguars answered in stunning fashion to close the first half. With time expiring, rookie kicker Cam Little drilled an incredible 70-yard field goal—sailing well beyond the NFL’s official record of 66 yards. Though unofficial due to preseason rules, the kick ignited the home crowd and sent Jacksonville into the locker room trailing only 14-9. That moment became the biggest highlight of the night for the Jaguars and a sign of Little’s rare leg strength.

In the second half, Pittsburgh’s offense shifted into high gear under Skylar Thompson. The backup quarterback threw three touchdown passes, spreading the ball to multiple targets and taking advantage of mismatches against Jacksonville’s reserve secondary. Between Rudolph and Thompson, the Steelers combined for over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns without a single turnover—a preseason showcase of offensive depth and efficiency.

On the other side, Jacksonville used the night to test versatile rookie Travis Hunter in his highly anticipated two-way debut. Playing 10 snaps on offense and 8 on defense, Hunter caught two short passes for nine yards and logged a few coverage reps, but he also missed a critical open-field tackle that extended a Pittsburgh drive. While the stat sheet was modest, his presence underscored the Jaguars’ plans to use him in multiple roles throughout the season.

When the final whistle blew, the Steelers walked away with a 31-25 victory, a result that reflected both their ability to finish drives and their comfort leaning on backup talent. For Jacksonville, the night was more about individual flashes—Little’s record-breaking kick attempt and Hunter’s two-way action—than the final score. Pittsburgh’s depth left a clear impression, while the Jaguars left knowing they have raw talent to refine before the regular season begins.