Playoff Matchup #2 Jaguars vs. Steelers

Written by Kyle Payne

Saturday 8:00 p.m. – NBC Jacksonville at Pittsburgh

On December 16, the Jacksonville Jaguars went into Heinz Field and turned the Steelers’ “terrible towels” into crying rags. The Jags ripped through the Pittsburgh defense by rushing for 224 yards and outgaining the Steelers 421-217 in a 29-22 victory. It would be Pittsburgh’s only home loss of the season, but it is one that will be fresh in their minds when these two teams line up Saturday night. Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard has quietly had a great season, but if the Jaguars’ offense is to be successful, it will have to rely on the backfield duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. They have combined for 1,970 rushing yards and 14 rushing scores. For the Steelers, Willie Parker will be the counter to the Jaguars’ rushing attack. He finished fourth in the NFL with 1,316 rushing yards, but the Pittsburgh offense rests on the capable arm of Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben put up huge numbers this season with 32 TD’s and a 104.1 QB rating. But that is enough about offense.

These two teams feature playoff-ready defenses with rugged styles. While New England and Indianapolis have proven to be the class of the AFC, neither want to see the Jaguars’ or Steelers’ defense in next week’s divisional playoffs. This game will be a classic playoff matchup and will not be for the faint of heart. The Steelers have been great at home, but it is hard to ignore what the Jaguars did to them in Heinz Field just three weeks ago.

We will take the Jags 19-13.