Heading into the AFC Divisional Round Playoff game, the Jacksonville Jaguars are both 4-4 straight up and against the spread on the road for the season. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the game with a 6-2 SU but 3-5 ATS record at home. The Steelers are favored by more than a score against the Jags this Sunday, but who will emerge victorious at historic Heinz Field?
Betting Preview for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Pittsburgh Steelers – AFC Divisional Playoff 2018
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
When: Sunday, January 14, 2018 1:05 PM
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars (+7) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
It was not long ago when the Jaguars embarrassed Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers at the same stadium they will be in this Sunday. That happened back in Week 5 at Heinz Field, where the Jags picked Big Ben five times en route to an upset 30-9 victory. That happened back in Week 5 at Heinz Field, where the Jags picked Big Ben five times en route to an upset win.
Lots have changed since then, but all things considered, the Jags’ defense remains just as deadly to this day. Jacksonville is No. 1 in the NFL in pass defense with only 169.9 passing yards allowed per game. The team has one of the best secondaries in football, one that played a big part in why the Jaguars also had the second-most interceptions (21) in the regular season.
Jacksonville’s offense, meanwhile, needs to wake up after a boring 10-3 win over the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round. Blake Bortles has improved this season, but he passed for only 87 yards with a touchdown in the Bills game. Even in Week 5’s win over Pittsburgh, Bortles only had 95 passing yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. He should get help from running back Leo Fournette, who rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the previous meeting with Pittsburgh.
Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
The Steelers are headed to the Divisional Round well-rested, thanks to a first-round bye. In addition, they could have the league’s most lethal offensive weapon back just in time for their game against the Jaguars with Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reporting that wide receiver Antonio Brown is going to be at “100 percent” this coming Sunday. (Brown missed the last two regular-season games with a calf injury.)
With Brown back in the fold, the Steelers have a game-changer capable of beating any kind of defense thrown at him. Sure the Jaguars contained Roethlisberger in Week 5, but they did not stop Brown from racking up 157 receiving yards on 10 catches. Furthermore, wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster has vastly improved since that meeting. The rookie is now second on the team with 917 receiving yards and seven touchdown grabs.
On defense, the Steelers seem to be well-equipped in handling Bortles and the Jags attack. The Steelers led the league in the regular season with 56.0 sacks while also surrendering only 19.2 points per game – good for seventh in the NFL.
Writer’s Prediction
Big Ben and the Steelers get their revenge and beat Jacksonville, 21-14.
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