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First-team defense continues to impress, WR Christian Kirk debuts in Jaguars 16-15 loss to Steelers

The Jaguars defense held the Steelers to 1-5 on 3rd-down conversions in the first half.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Besides giving up a last minute touchdown drive before the end of the first half and Ryan Santoso missing a 57-yard game-winning field goal, the Jacksonville Jaguars looked pretty good in their 16-15 loss to the Steelers. 

Steelers rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett's last minute touchdown drive before the half put a bit of a damper on the first unit's night, but overall the Jaguars defense made the night miserable for both Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky. 

"Other than the two-minute drive at the end of the half, I thought they played well. I don't have the stat book in front of me, but I think someone told me it was maybe 1.2 yards per attempt in the running game. I really felt like they got after them early and often. Two-minute drive, though, is something that we've got to get better at," Jaguars head coach, Doug Pederson, said. 

Arden Key finished with the Jaguars only sack of the first half, but the entire defensive front pressured the Steelers quarterbacks as they only went 1-5 on 3rd-down conversions. 

Trevor Lawrence and the offense moved the ball, but lacked consistency, especially in the red zone going 0-1.

Christian Kirk made his Jaguars debut and was targeted eight times hauling in 5 catches for 54 yards. 

Despite the solid night for Kirk, he and Lawrence struggled at times to find their timing as they missed on a few passes. Lawrence also missed Zay Jones and Marvin Jones on separate throws. Lawrence said the timing issues with Kirk will be cleaned up come the start of the regular season. 

"We don't really talk much about that. I'm telling him, I've got to hit him there, but we're talking more about general scheme, how did the DB play it, why did he decide to do this on the route instead of this. That's kind of what we're talking about," Lawrence said. 

The running game continued to struggle as Snoop Conner and Travis Etienne combined for 15 carries for 48 yards. 

Ryan Santoso went 2-4 on field goals including missing the game-winner. 

"Yeah, obviously not good enough. We had a chance to win the game, had a chance to start the game 3-0, and it's disappointing. But I know he'll battle back this week and try to correct it," Pederson said. 

DE Foley Fatukasi exited the game with an apparent injury in the first half, Pederson said the team will further evaluate him, but added Fatukasi wanted to go back into the game. Shaq Griffin also sat out for the Jaguars Saturday night with back issues, Pederson said the training staff tried to loosen him up leading up to the game but ultimately decided to sit Griffin. 

Jacksonville sat LB Devin Lloyd (hamstring), RB James Robinson (achilles), and CB Darious Williams (shoulder) as they continue to rehab injuries. 

The Jaguars wrap up preseason action Saturday August, 27 at the Atlanta Falcons. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. 

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