It’s a rematch between division winners as the Pittsburgh Steelers once again host the Jacksonville Jaguars—this time in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
History: Jaguars visit Heinz Field for second time this season (30-9 win in Week 5) as teams meet in postseason for second time…Including playoffs, Jaguars 4-1 in last 5 meetings in Pittsburgh dating back to ’05…Including playoffs, road team owns 8-2 road record in series dating back to ’02…
HISTORIC NOTE: Second postseason meeting between teams (Jaguars, 1-0), Jaguars posting 31-29 win in ’07 AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Heinz Field…
Coaches: Jaguars’ head coach Doug Marrone: 1-0 in postseason play…Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin: 8-6 in postseason play…
Postseason History: Jaguars: making 7th overall playoff appearance (7th since merger), 6-6 in postseason play (6-6 since merger)…Steelers: 31st overall playoff appearance (30th since merger), 36-24 in postseason play (36-23 since merger)…
Numbers: JAGUARS: Defeated Bills, 10-3, in AFC Wild Card Playoffs last week…10-6 record, won AFC South in ’17 (3-13 in ’16)…QB Blake Bortles: Including playoffs, 22 TD passes, 13 INT in 17 games in ’17 (23 TD passes, 16 INT in ’16; 35 TD passes, 18 INT in 16 games in ’15)…Including playoffs, 35 takeaways in 17 games in ’17 (13 takeaways in ‘16)…Including playoffs, 57 sacks in 17 games in ’17 (33 sacks in ’16)…Including playoffs, allowed 271 points in 17 games in ’17 (allowed 400 points in ’16)…Including playoffs, allowed 26 offensive TD in 17 games in ’17 (allowed 37 offensive TD in ’16)…STEELERS: Off last week…13-3 record, won AFC North in ’17 (11-5, won AFC North in ’16)…NFL-high 56 sacks, 22 takeaways in 16 games in ’17 (38 sacks, 23 takeaways in ’16; 48 sacks, 30 takeaways in ’15)…RB Le’Veon Bell: Including playoffs, 664 touches (547 carries, 117 rec.), 3,397 yards from scrimmage (2,483 rushing, 914 receiving), 20 TD in last 23 games dating back to ‘16…WR Martavis Bryant: Including playoffs, 143 rec., 2,134 yards, 19 TD in 38 games dating back to ‘14…Allowed 228 points in 13 wins, 80 points in 3 losses in ’17…Allowed 34 offensive TD, totaled 22 takeaways in 15 games in ’17…
Things to look for: The notion that the Jacksonville Jaguars could not knock off the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second time this season at Heinz Field is somewhat ludicrous. Back in ’07, this did indeed happen. Some will focus on Bortles’ shortcomings last week but was it ineptitude or postseason nerves? In any case, he did turn in a resourceful effort and the Jaguars played turnover-free football. Still, what to watch here is Steelers’ running back Le’Veon Bell against the league’s 21st-ranked run defense. A big effort would certainly help Ben Roethlisberger avoid another nightmare performance against the Jacksonville defense…
NOTE: Win-loss records include playoffs
