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Free NFL Playoff Picks & Betting Trends
Fred Taylor and the Jaguars are road favorites in Pittsburgh this weekend. (AI Wire)
Seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers as three-point underdogs in a playoff home game is truly a sight to behold. After all, Mike Tomlin's charges went 7-1 at Heinz Field this year and are widely regarded as having the best home fan support in the NFL.
That one loss, however, came at the hands of their wildcard opponent this weekend - the Jacksonville Jaguars. Back in Week 15, the Jags rolled into Pittsburgh and handled the Steelers to the tune of 29-22, led by 216 combined rushing yards from Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. It was a remarkable feat considering Pittsburgh - who finished third against the run in the regular season, holding opponents to 89.9 rushing yards per game - never gets sliced and diced in front of their home fans like that.
But things have changed. Aside from missing starting RB Willie Parker (broken leg), the Steelers have been absolutely decimated on the defensive side of the football.
Pro Bowl DE Aaron Smith is out with a torn biceps injury. Backup cornerback Bryant McFadden reinjured his ankle in a Week 17 loss to the Ravens. All-world safety Troy Polamalu has been hobbled all year with a knee injury, Deshea Townsend is limited with an injured foot and linebacker Clint Kriewaldt has been placed on IR. These injuries have lessened the Heinz Field mystique, especially when a power running team like Jacksonville comes to town.
The last team to travel to Pittsburgh for a playoff game after beating the Steelers on the road during the regular season is the 2001 Baltimore Ravens, who were 13-10 winners at Heinz Field during the regular campaign and dropped a 27-10 decision at Heinz Field in an AFC Divisional Playoff.
Should the Jaguars do the business that the 2001 Ravens couldn't, they'll move into elite company and be a serious threat to either New England or Indianapolis the following week.
Read the entire NFL Wildcard Playoff Weekend Preview in Bodog Nation!