Chargers vs Jaguars Game Day Newsletter 8 Dec 8 Chargers_Digital | Page 39

NS, TWENTY-FIVE GAMES
Senior writer John Oehser’s “oral history” of 25 memorable
games in Jaguars history continues with this look at a 23-17
overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 – a game
won by Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis in dramatic fashion.
Jaguars 23, Steelers 17 (OT)
Date: October 16, 2005
Records entering game: Jaguars 3-2, Steelers 3-1
Site: Heinz Field; Pittsburgh, Pa.
What happened
The Jaguars, three years into the Jack Del
Rio era, were again becoming a playoff
contender and they took a major step toward
the postseason in this 23-17 overtime victory
at Pittsburgh in mid-October 2005. They also
continued a tradition of playing well at and
winning in Pittsburgh, doing so in a new
era – and the result was a highlight game
of the franchise’s best season in more than
a half a decade. This victory was key en
route to a 12-4 season that featured an AFC
Wild Card appearance, the franchise’s fi rst
postseason berth in six seasons. The game
was back and forth throughout, with running
back Greg Jones’ seven-yard run giving the
Jaguars a 7-0 lead late in the fi rst quarter
before the Steelers took a 14-7 lead on a
15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Tommy Maddox to tight end Heath Miller
and a 72-yard punt return by wide receiver
Antwaan Randle El. The drama continued to
build, and the Jaguars retook the lead, 17-14,
on a 23-yard, end-of-fi rst-half fi eld goal by
Josh Scobee and a 10-yard touchdown pass
from quarterback Byron Leftwich to wide
receiver Matt Jones in the third quarter. A
29-yard fourth-quarter fi eld goal by Steelers
kicker Jeff Reed forced overtime, but Jaguars
cornerback Rashean Mathis intercepted
Maddox on the Steelers’ second possession of
overtime, returning it 41 yards for a walk-off,
game-winning touchdown.
“To overcome that adversity and go get the win, your emotions are going
back and forth. That was the thing I loved about it.”
– C Brad Meester