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| Phil Coale / Associated Press |
| Despite an injured throwing shoulder, Ben Roethlisberger attempted 41 passes. |
It was over when ...
Ben Roethlisberger hooked up with Hines Ward for an 8-yard touchdown with 1:53 remaining. The score, followed by an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, gave the Steelers a 26-21 lead. The Jaguars turned the ball over on downs on a last-minute comeback bid.
Game ball
Roethlisberger overcame an ailing right shoulder to complete 26 of 41 passes for 309 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Roethlisberger was under constant pressure from a blitzing Jaguars defense, but twice escaped sacks to keep the chains moving on Pittsburgh's 11-play, 80-yard drive.
Key stat
The Jaguars finished with more penalty yards (89) than rushing yards (38). Pittsburgh has limited opponents to an average of 66.8 rushing yards per game this season.
Noteworthy
The game was the third meeting between these two teams since last December, including a 31-29 Jaguars victory in an AFC wild-card game. ... Roethlisberger went into halftime with 239 yards passing, his best first-half total of his career. ... Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis has two interceptions this season, both for touchdowns. Mathis picked off Roethlisberger on Pittsburgh's opening possession and returned it 72 yards for Jacksonville's first score. ... With 90 receiving yards, Hines Ward surpassed 9,000 for his career. ... Steelers WR Nate Washington recorded a career-high 94 yards on six catches. ... The Steelers allowed 200 yards passing for the first time this season.
