Tomlin respects Jaguars: 'We're not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent'

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin brushed aside all discussion of Sunday's contest against the 1-8 Jacksonville Jaguars being a possible trap game for his undefeated squad.

"We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent this week. Every time we step into a stadium, we're playing professionals, players, and coaches. We've got a ridiculous level of respect for that," Tomlin said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

The Steelers are the NFL's only undefeated team and have won convincingly against the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns this season. Some of the club's other victories haven't followed suit, with a late come-from-behind effort needed against the Dallas Cowboys.

"Write your story, follow your storylines about trap games and things of that nature. We understand what we're going into in Jacksonville, that that's a group that's trying to kick our butt," Tomlin said.

While the Jaguars have lost eight in a row, the Steelers head coach pointed to the history between the two teams as a major reason Pittsburgh is cautious heading into Jacksonville.

"We always have rough and tumble games with those guys down there," Tomlin said.

The Steelers have won each of their previous three road contests against the Jaguars but only by a combined 17 points.

Jacksonville will look to knock off Pittsburgh with a youthful and energetic offense. The team may turn to quarterback Jake Luton again as Gardner Minshew works his way back from injury. Rookie running back James Robinson is having an impressive campaign, rushing for 689 yards and seven total touchdowns.

"We understand we have a bull's-eye on our back," Tomlin said, per Joe Rutter of Trib Live.