Steelers beat winless Jaguars, 17-9

October 5, 2014 at 4:34p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

Pittsburgh’s defense turned in its best performance of the season.

Playing rookie Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars surely helped.

Brice McCain returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown, helping the Steelers overcome a mediocre offensive performance and beat the winless Jaguars 17-9 Sunday.

McCain stepped in front of receiver Allen Hurns early in the fourth quarter, Bortles’ wobbly sideline pass and went untouched the other way.

It was just what the Steelers (3-2) needed to gain a little breathing room in a game much tighter than they probably expected.

The Jaguars (0-5) didn’t want a moral victory, but surely they will try to build on a close loss after dropping their past five games by double digits.