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NFL Picks: Predicting the winner of Steelers vs. Jaguars, AFC Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars are about to go toe-to-toe, and I put on my prognosticator hat to predict the outcome.

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars will meet for the second time this season, and while a lot of people from Florida are pointing to the 30-9 win for Jacksonville at Heinz Field earlier this season, I like to focus on the past too — in a way.

While searching the world wide web to find some information for the upcoming AFC Divisional Round Playoff game, I stumbled upon some really awesome information from CBS Sports:

Jaguars at Steelers (-7)

  • Teams scoring 10 points or less in a Wild Card Weekend win are 0-2 straight up and 0-2 against the spread the following weekend.
  • The Steelers are 5-0 straight up and 5-0 against the spread as a home playoff favorite under Mike Tomlin.
  • The Steelers are 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread as a home playoff favorite of more than a field goal under Mike Tomlin.
  • The Jaguars are 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread as a road underdog this year.
  • The under is 3-0 in the Jaguars three road games as an underdog in the 2017 season.

History means something to me, and the Steelers haven’t lost a home divisional game with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. I doubt that trend stops today at Heinz Field.

I clearly like the Steelers to win, and I absolutely think this game will be close early, but I fully expect the Pittsburgh defense to be the difference maker in this second matchup between these two AFC foes.

Was the first game a mulligan for Pittsburgh, or a sign of things to come? If you ask me, it was a mulligan and Ben Roethlisberger will orchestrate another winning performance as the Steelers head to the AFC Championship game for the second straight year.

Score Prediction:

Steelers - 24
Jaguars - 16