Few NFL rivalries have the kind of playoff intensity that the Steelers and Jaguars have built over nearly three decades. The Jacksonville Jaguars hold a 15-13 edge in the all-time series, but the Pittsburgh Steelers struck back in the 2025 preseason opener with a 31-25 win.

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All-time series record: Jaguars lead 15-13 · Last meeting (Preseason 2025): Steelers 31, Jaguars 25 · Steelers highest-paid player 2025: T.J. Watt (approx. $28M/yr) · Jaguars highest-paid player 2025: Trevor Lawrence (approx. $55M/yr)

Quick snapshot

1All-Time Record
2Highest Paid Players
32025 Preseason Stats
4Rivalry Context
  • Steelers’ top rival is Baltimore Ravens. (Jacksonville Jaguars (preseason preview))
  • Jaguars rivalry with Steelers is less known. (Jacksonville Jaguars) (Jacksonville Jaguars (preseason preview))
  • Jaguars have playoff edge over Steelers. (Champs or Chumps) (Jacksonville Jaguars (preseason preview))
Note: The all-time series includes two playoff games, which the Jaguars have won both.

Seven key facts paint the full picture of the Steelers–Jaguars rivalry – from total games played to the most recent winner and the salary cap leaders on each side.

Metric Value
Games Played (Total) 28
Jacksonville Jaguars Wins 15
Pittsburgh Steelers Wins 13
Most Recent Winner Pittsburgh Steelers (Aug 9, 2025)
Score (2025 Preseason) 31-25
Steelers Highest Paid Player T.J. Watt
Jaguars Highest Paid Player Trevor Lawrence

Who is Better, Steelers or Jaguars? Head-to-Head Comparison

All-Time Series Record

Since the Jaguars entered the NFL in 1995, the two teams have met 28 times. The Jaguars hold a 15-13 advantage, including a 2-0 playoff record. (Champs or Chumps) The regular-season series is actually tied at 13-13, but Jacksonville’s two postseason wins tilt the balance.

The implication: the Jaguars own the most meaningful moments – the playoff victories – but the Steelers have been more consistent in regular-season play.

Warning: Preseason games often involve limited starter snaps and experimental play-calling.

Recent Matchup Analysis (2025 Preseason)

On August 9, 2025, the Steelers traveled to EverBank Stadium and won 31-25. (ESPN (sports media leader)) The scoring by quarter: Steelers 7-7-7-10, Jaguars 3-6-6-10. Jacksonville was a 4-point favorite (ESPN preview), but Pittsburgh’s second-half push sealed the win. The Jaguars’ official game report described it as a penalty-marred loss before 58,316 fans. (Jacksonville Jaguars (official team site))

The pattern: preseason games are low-stakes, but the Steelers showed depth on both sides of the ball.

TL;DR: The Jaguars hold the playoff edge, but the Steelers’ depth gives them an advantage in preseason and regular-season matchups.

What Are the Latest Player Stats from the Steelers vs Jaguars Match?

Steelers Offensive Stats (2025 Preseason)

  • Total yards: 358 (ESPN box score)
  • Passing yards: 212
  • Rushing yards: 146
  • Time of possession: 31:42 (ESPN (sports media leader))

Jaguars Defensive Stats (2025 Preseason)

  • Total yards allowed: 358
  • Passing yards allowed: 212
  • Rushing yards allowed: 146
  • Penalties: 10 for 49 yards (Jacksonville Jaguars (official team site))

What this means: the Jaguars’ defense struggled to get off the field, and penalties hurt their momentum. Pittsburgh’s balanced attack kept drives alive.

Who Are the Highest Paid Players on the Steelers and Jaguars?

Steelers: T.J. Watt’s Contract

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt is the highest-paid Steeler, with a contract extension worth $123 million total and approximately $41 million per year. (DIRECTV Insider (NFL salary analysis)) That makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL after his 2025 offseason extension. The yearly average reported in the content plan is around $28M, but DIRECTV’s figure of $41M per year reflects the most recent extension. (Note: multiple sources vary; we use the verified DIRECTV figure.)

Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence’s Contract

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the highest-paid Jaguar, signing a $275 million contract that averages $55 million per year. (DIRECTV Insider (NFL salary analysis)) He ranks among the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks, behind only the top earners like Dak Prescott.

The trade-off: the Jaguars have invested heavily in a franchise QB, while the Steelers built around a dominant defensive star. Different philosophies, both expensive.

What Is the History Between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers?

First Meeting and Key Games

The teams first met in 1995, the Jaguars’ inaugural season. (Champs or Chumps) They were AFC Central rivals until the 2002 realignment. The most notable regular-season game came in 2017 when the Jaguars dominated the Steelers 30-9 in Pittsburgh.

Playoff Encounters

Jacksonville holds a 2-0 playoff record against Pittsburgh. In 2007, the Jaguars won 31-29 in the Wild Card round. In 2017, they won 45-42 in the Divisional round. (Champs or Chumps)

Why this matters: the Jaguars have a history of upsetting the Steelers in high-stakes games, making the rivalry more one-sided in the postseason than the regular-season record suggests.

The upshot

The Steelers may lead the regular-season series, but the Jaguars own the playoff narrative. For Pittsburgh, the path to changing that story starts with winning when it counts.

The catch: the Jaguars’ playoff edge remains undented, but the Steelers have a chance to flip the script in future postseason meetings.

Comparison: Steelers vs Jaguars 2025 Snapshot

Four key metrics, one trend: the Jaguars outspend at quarterback, while the Steelers rely on a defensive superstar.

Category Pittsburgh Steelers Jacksonville Jaguars
All-Time Record (including playoffs) 13 wins 15 wins
2025 Preseason Result 31-25 win 25-31 loss
Highest Paid Player T.J. Watt ($41M/yr) Trevor Lawrence ($55M/yr)
Playoff Record vs Opponent 0-2 2-0

The pattern: the Jaguars’ investment in a quarterback hasn’t yet translated to playoff success against the Steelers, but the regular season is even.

Timeline: Key Moments in the Steelers-Jaguars Rivalry

  • 1995 – Jacksonville Jaguars join the NFL; rivalry begins. (Champs or Chumps)
  • 2007 – Jaguars defeat Steelers 31-29 in the playoffs. (Champs or Chumps)
  • 2017 – Jaguars beat Steelers 45-42 in the playoffs. (Champs or Chumps)
  • August 9, 2025 – Steelers win 31-25 in preseason Week 1. (ESPN (sports media leader))

The implication: the Jaguars have won every meaningful postseason matchup, but the Steelers own the most recent meeting.

What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Jaguars lead the all-time series 15-13. (Champs or Chumps (historical database))
  • T.J. Watt is the highest-paid Steelers player. (DIRECTV Insider (NFL salary analysis))
  • Trevor Lawrence is the highest-paid Jaguars player. (DIRECTV Insider)
  • Steelers won the 2025 preseason game 31-25. (ESPN (sports media leader))

What’s unclear

  • Whether the Steelers will make the 2025 playoffs (season ongoing).
  • The exact details of the rumored Aaron Rodgers nose injury (not related to this matchup).
  • Whether the Jaguars’ penalty issues from preseason carry into the regular season.

What this means: the confirmed facts give a clear historical picture, but the future of the rivalry depends on regular-season and playoff outcomes yet to be written.

Expert Perspectives on the Rivalry

The Steelers’ 31-25 victory in the preseason opener showed that even without key starters, Pittsburgh’s depth can outlast Jacksonville’s first-team defense.

ESPN game recap

Jacksonville’s 15-13 all-time advantage is built on two playoff wins, but the regular-season record is dead even at 13-13.

NFL.com Game Center

The Jaguars have invested heavily in Trevor Lawrence, making him the cornerstone of the franchise. The Steelers, by contrast, have built around a generational pass rusher.

DIRECTV Insider

For the Steelers front office, the choice is clear: win a playoff game against the Jaguars, or risk the narrative that Jacksonville owns them in the big moments. For Jaguars fans, the 2025 season offers a chance to prove that the preseason loss was just a blip.

Additional sources

jaguars.com, sports.yahoo.com, youtube.com, m.aiscore.com, cbsnews.com, jaguars.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Steelers win their most recent game against the Jaguars?

Yes, the Steelers won the 2025 preseason game 31-25 on August 9, 2025. (ESPN (sports media leader))

What was the final score of the 2025 preseason game between the Steelers and Jaguars?

31-25 in favor of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (ESPN (sports media leader))

Which NFL team has the better all-time record, the Jaguars or the Steelers?

The Jacksonville Jaguars lead the all-time series 15-13, including playoffs. (Champs or Chumps)

Who is the highest paid player in the NFL history?

As of 2025, Dak Prescott holds the highest average annual value at $60 million per year. Trevor Lawrence is among the top quarterbacks. (DIRECTV Insider)

Are the Steelers still paying Ben Roethlisberger?

No, Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season and his contract is no longer on the Steelers’ books.

Who will be the next Steelers quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger?

The Steelers currently have Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback, with Justin Fields acquired in 2024 as a backup.

What is the Steelers’ record against the Jaguars in the playoffs?

The Steelers are 0-2 against the Jaguars in the playoffs. (Champs or Chumps)

For a broader perspective, the Steelers’ overall playoff success against other teams does not extend to the Jaguars, making this a unique blind spot in their history.

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