The Jaguars' offense exploded during the team's 45-42 divisional-round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Heinz Field.
Jacksonville will now move on to the AFC Championship Game following its second win in Pittsburgh since October. The New England Patriots will host the Jaguars in the next round of the playoffs.
The Jaguars jumped out to a massive 21-0 lead to start the playoff matchup. Jacksonville's offense scored three touchdowns on its first four possessions.
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles led the three scoring drives, showing accuracy with his arm and speed with his legs. He completed 14-of-26 passes for 214 passing yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He added 35 rushing yards on five carries.
Bortles was aided by the performance of running back Leonard Fournette. While he missed the last seven minutes of the first half with an ankle injury, the rookie running back produced 109 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries against Pittsburgh.
The Jaguars' top receiving option on Sunday was running back T.J. Yeldon. He caught three passes for 57 yards. Yeldon also added 20 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries.
On defense, the Jaguars forced two turnovers. Linebacker Myles Jack produced his first career interception when he picked off a pass by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the first quarter.
Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue produced a sack-strip on Roethlisberger in the second quarter. The fumble recovery was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Telvin Smith.
Roethlisberger completed 36-of-57 passes for 469 yards, five touchdowns and an interception as he led a comeback attempt against the Jaguars. His top target, wide receiver Antonio Brown, collected seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Le'Veon Bell produced 155 total yards and two touchdowns on 25 touches.
The Jaguars were whistled for three penalties for 40 yards against the Steelers. Pittsburgh was flagged for three penalties for 15 yards.
GAME RECAP
The Jaguars offered up a strong opening drive to start the game.
Running back Corey Grant returned the opening kickoff to the Jacksonville 34-yard line. From there, Bortles led a 8-play, 66-yard touchdown drive. He hit tight ends Ben Koyack and James O'Shaughnessy for two big gains, moving the Jaguars into scoring territory in a flash.
The scoring drive was capped by a one-yard touchdown run for Fournette on fourth down. Following an extra point, the Jaguars led the Steelers, 7-0, with 10:40 left in the first quarter.
The Steelers offense failed to answer on the next drive, as the Jaguars' defense forced a three-and-out. Following a Pittsburgh punt, Fournette picked up a first down on a 10-yard run.
The offensive success on the Jaguars' second drive was short-lived, as Jacksonville would punt three plays later.
The Jaguars were able to make plays on defense on the next drive. Linebacker Myles Jack picked off Roethlisberger on third down. The ball was deep in Steelers territory.
On the first offensive play, Fournette ran 17 yards for another touchdown. Following an extra point, the Jaguars led the Steelers, 14-0, with 5:10 left in the first quarter.
After two drives of futility, the Steelers' offense finally found some life through the running game. Bell picked up 20 yards on the opening carry of the drive. Roethlisberger then hit Brown and fellow wide receiver Eli Rogers for first-down completions. However, the Steelers attempted a run with Bell on fourth-and-1 and were stopped for a loss.
The Jaguars' offense took control after the Steelers' failed fourth-down attempt. The Jaguars continued to move the ball consistently on offense. Using the legs of Bortles and Fournette, the running game picked up significant yardage, pushing the Jaguars deep into Steelers territory.
The Jaguars' third scoring drive of the first half was capped by a four-yard rushing touchdown by running back T.J. Yeldon. Following an extra point, the Jaguars led 21-0 with 11:31 left in the second quarter.
The Steelers were finally able to add some points to the scoreboard on their next drive. Using a mixture of run and pass, the Steelers moved the ball downfield in a hurry. Roethlisberger eventually hit Brown for a 23-yard touchdown, Kicker Chris Boswell connected on the extra point.
The Jaguars led 21-7 with 8:20 left in the second quarter.
Jacksonville's momentum began to slip on its next offensive possession. Fournette suffered a lower leg injury after catching a pass. He was forced to head to the locker room because of the ailment.
The Jaguars were eventually forced to punt after moving the ball into Steelers territory.
Pittsburgh started to move the ball down the field on the next drive. However, a sack-fumble forced by defensive end Yannick Ngakoue led to a 50-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown by linebacker Telvin Smith. Following an extra point, the Jaguars led 28-7 with 2:20 left in the first half.
The Steelers came roaring back before halftime, putting together a quick touchdown drive. Roethlisberger hit wide receiver Martavius Bryant for a 36-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in the first half. Following an extra point, the Jaguars led by 14 points at halftime.
The Steelers continued their comeback attempt to start the third quarter. Roethlisberger led a 10-play, 77-yard drive against the Jaguars. The Steelers quarterback capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown completion to Bell. An extra point brought the score to 28-21 with 9:09 left in the third quarter.
The Jaguars and the Steelers traded punts until Pittsburgh's special teams unit blocked an attempt by punter Brad Nortman. The ball fell into Jacksonville territory, setting up the Steelers in favorable field position. The Steelers went for it on fourth-and-1 and came up empty, giving the ball back to Jacksonville.
The Jaguars took advantage of their stellar field position with another score. Bortles hit rookie wide receiver Keelan Cole for a 45-yard gain to get the ball deep into Steelers territory. Fournette followed up the big play with his third rushing touchdown. Following an extra point, the Jaguars led 35-21 with 10:34 left in the game.
The Steelers' offense started its drive with a 27-yard connection between Roethlisberger and Brown. The Pittsburgh duo eventually connected for a 43-yard touchdown on fourth-and-5. Following a successful extra point, the Steelers trailed the Jaguars, 35-28, with 9:05 left in the game.
The Jaguars came back with another score on the new drive. Jacksonville answered with Bortles' first passing touchdown of the game. The quarterback hit fullback Tommy Bohanon for a 14-yard touchdown completion. An extra point extended the lead to 14 points with 4:19 left in the game.
The Steelers refused to go away after the Jaguars' sixth touchdown of the game. Roethlisberger led another touchdown drive, which was capped by a lateral rushing touchdown by Bell. The Steelers trailed by seven points with 2:18 left in the game.
After a failed onside kick attempt, the Jaguars scored on a 45-yard field goal from kicker Josh Lambo.
The Steelers made another comeback attempt, driving deep into Jacksonville territory. A big catch by Bryant set up the Steelers within the Jacksonville 5-yard line. Roethlisberger hit wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a touchdown. Boswell made the follow-up extra point with one second on the play clock.
The Jaguars won the game, 45-42.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Fournette ran the ball 25 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns. His first two scores helped the Jaguars jump out to a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Ngakoue produced a sack-strip on Roethlisberger in the second quarter. The fumble was recovered and returned for a touchdown by linebacker Telvin Smith. The play stopped a very strong drive by the Steelers and added points to the Jaguars' total.
STAT OF THE GAME
Fournette produced three touchdowns against the Steelers. The only other multiple-touchdown game of his rookie season came against the Steelers in Week 5.
INJURY UPDATES
The Jaguars entered the game without punt return Jaydon Mickens due to a hamstring injury.
Jaguars safety Barry Church suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter but returned to the game. Running back Leonard Fournette suffered a lower leg injury in the second quarter but returned in the second half.
Safety Tashaun Gipson suffered a foot injury during the third quarter.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.