Victory Gives Jaguars NFL-Best 11-1 Record

Tired of watching Jacksonville grind and kick field goals, Coach Tom Coughlin took a well-timed gamble Thursday night that propelled the Jaguars to a 20-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With his offense moving but not scoring much, Coughlin opted to go for a fourth and one at the Steeler 24, bypassing a field goal that would have given Jacksonville a 9-6 lead late in the third quarter.

He sent running James Stewart off tackle for the first down. Then, after a penalty pushed Jacksonville back, quarterback Mark Brunell made his best throw of the game, a 27-yard touchdown to Jimmy Smith that looped over the outstretched hands of a leaping Dewayne Washington.

“That was an attitude play,” receiver Keenan McCardell said. “That was something to show the Steelers, this is what’s going to decide the game.”

Coughlin said he listened to the pleas from the offensive line, which wanted to keep the ball moving toward the end zone. Tackle Tony Boselli said the gesture was appreciated.

“They hadn’t shown they could stop us,” Boselli said. “We were moving the sticks and grinding it out. We knew we were going to get it in there sooner or later.”

With a 13-6 lead, Jacksonville let the defense secure the victory.

The Jaguars earned the first sweep of their AFC Central rivals and improved the NFL’s best record to 11-1. Losses by Kansas City and New England on Sunday would clinch the AFC’s first playoff spot for Jacksonville.

The Steelers lost their fourth in a row. Coach Bill Cowher started Mike Tomczak at quarterback, but he failed to spark Pittsburgh’s offense. The Steelers (5-7) gained only 235 yards and had 15 first downs.

“This isn’t all about Mike Tomczak, it’s about everyone,” Cowher said. “It’s a football team. We’ve got four games to go. We’ve got to find a way to win football games.”

Playing in the absence of the injured Fred Taylor, Stewart ran for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown.