PITTSBURGH - One dynamic 96-yard kickoff return. One 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception. One quick-hit 10-yard scoring run.
It was a terrific trifecta for Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
Upstart Jacksonville had a few standouts in a 31-29 victory over the host Steelers last night - the defense produced three first-half interceptions, two by cornerback Rashean Mathis - but it was the work of Jones-Drew that truly stood out.
He wasted little time making his mark.
Heinz Field had been roaring after the Steelers marched down the field on the game's opening possession, covering 80 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The trademark yellow Terrible Towels were swirling. The Steelers, who entered the game banged up after stumbling to the regular-season finish line, had an early spark.
Yet all that momentum was quickly dashed as Jones-Drew fielded the ensuing kickoff and burst up the middle 96 yards, tackled at the 1. The runback, the longest in Jaguars postseason history (since 1995), set up a 1-yard Fred Taylor touchdown run.
Just like that, the energy had been squeezed out of Heinz.
"That was such a huge play," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "Our football team had just been jolted. We didn't give up an opening touchdown drive all year, and to have them go down in the playoff game and start that way, it was a little of a blow that we took. For Maurice to come back and deliver a blow to them, and then be able to punch it in, that was a big lift."
Jones-Drew has been a regular weapon on kickoff returns for the Jaguars - his 26.2-yard average ranked sixth in the NFL this season - but he's used more sparingly on offense.
Jacksonville relied on a potent 1-2 punch between the underrated Taylor and Jones-Drew this season. In the first half last night, Taylor was on for 16 plays, Jones-Drew nine. The second-half breakdown had Taylor on for eight and Jones-Drew 21.
Together, they present a striking contrast, the 6-foot-1-inch, 228-pound Taylor plowing between the tackles and the shiftier, explosive Jones-Drew a weapon as a receiver and runner.
Just ask Steelers linebacker James Farrior, who after banging inside with Taylor had the assignment of attempting to cover Jones-Drew on a short route midway through the second quarter.
The Jaguars were facing a third and 7 at the Steelers' 43, and went to a three-wide package for one of the few times in the game. Jones-Drew released out to the right side, with quarterback David Garrard delivering a perfect throw as Farrior was a step behind.
As Farrior lunged in his direction, Jones-Drew hauled in the pass before shifting into high gear down the right sideline. Steelers safety Tyrone Carter took a poor angle and Jones-Drew raced into the end zone, lifting the Jaguars to a 21-7 lead.
Having completed the special teams and receiving portion of his terrific trifecta, Jones-Drew capped it off by surging off left tackle, untouched, for a 10-yard touchdown run with 4:39 left in the third quarter.
At the time, the Jaguars led, 28-10, and appeared ready to cruise to victory. Instead, they survived a furious Steelers comeback and rallied late.
The triple-threat performance was nothing new for Jones-Drew, who has been electrifying since Jacksonville selected him in the second round of the 2006 draft out of UCLA, 60th overall.
While Reggie Bush got most of the hype out of the '06 running back class - he was the second overall pick, by New Orleans - Jones-Drew has proven to be equally deserving of the spotlight.
Bush has 1,146 rushing yards in his first two seasons. Jones-Drew has 1,709.
Bush has 161 receptions for 1,159 yards, while Jones-Drew has 86 catches for 943 yards.
Total touchdowns: Bush has 14, Jones-Drew 26.
Yet in the battle of playmaking running backs, Jones-Drew has been overshadowed, perhaps by playing in a smaller media market.
After last night, playing in front of a nationally televised audience in a high-stakes game, that should no longer be the case.
Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.
