Despite seizing the lead in the fourth quarter behind quarterback Landry Jones, the Steelers fell to 0-2 in the 2015 preseason after losing to the Jaguars 23-21. The Steelers displayed many of its flaws that need some polishing with a few more weeks before the regular season starts, but the starters showed plenty of promise in a nice first quarter of play.

Winner: WR Martavis Bryant

The sophomore wide receiver finished the night with three catches for a team-high 55 yards, and one touchdown. In the first quarter, starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger relied on the long ball for some early points connecting with Bryant on a 44-yard touchdown pass. Roethlisberger was only on the field for one drive, but it was nice to see a sign of things to come from the first team offense. Bryant is a winner after Friday night because not only did he show his burner speed as he dusted cornerback Devon House, but reports have surfaced that he will claim the number two spot at receiver ahead of fellow teammate and third year pro Markus Wheaton. Bryant has healed up nicely from his elbow injury and will look to breakout in his second year in Pittsburgh.

Winner: LB’s Ryan Shazier and Sean Spence

The Steelers have no shortage of quality middle linebackers going into the 2015 season. Shazier makes this list for the second time in a row after leading the defense, yet again, in tackles with eight. Spence, finally recovered from two ACL surgeries, flashed major improvement adding seven tackles of his own. Although he is undersized, Spence will garner a lot of playing time if he continues to produce and will likely be used in cover situations with his speed. The Steelers should have little to no concerns as they are stacked this position.

Loser(s): SS Shamarko Thomas and the Steelers’ secondary

Most analysts knew that Pittsburgh’s secondary was going to be a liability after Troy Polumalu and Ike Taylor retired. Replacement safety Thomas struggled against Jacksonville as he seemed to be lost on the field and surrendered a touchdown to TE Clay Harbor and QB Chad Henne. Sophomore QB Blake Bortles and Henne had zero problems completing passes on Friday. Bortles completed 11 of his 15 throws, Henne nine for 10. The secondary is going to have to adjust to the new cover-2 scheme that defensive coordinator Keith Butler is implementing.

Winner: OLB James Harrison

This man lives by the phrase “age is just a number.” The 37-year-old veteran recorded a sack, a tackle for a loss and added three tackles total. A short but very productive outing as Harrison showed that he still trains hard and can play in the NFL.

Loser: WR Shakim Phillips

Phillips had a case of the butter fingers down in Florida as he dropped two passes, one of which would have been an easy touchdown and a difference maker in the final score. The undrafted rookie needs to rebound if he wants to make the roster as the fifth or sixth receiver.

Winner: K Garrett Hartley and P Brad Wing

It must have been a boring game when someone has to highlight the kicker AND punter, huh? Yes. While Hartley and Wing’s evenings should not go unnoticed, they are not necessarily worth praising, but were definitely satisfying. Newly signed kicker Hartley converted both of his two field goal attempts and added an extra point. Wing, who is in a camp competition for the starting punter gig again, placed two punts inside the Jacksonville 20 and averaged 44.3 yards on 4 punts with a long of 53 yards. I said last time that I did not trust Hartley quite yet, but he took a step in the right direction. Wing is starting to solidify himself as the winner of the punter competition.

The Steelers will return to Heinz Field to host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, August 23. Game time is scheduled for 1 PM ET.

– Zach S.