6:30 p.m. Monday, Steelers by 1 1/2
Last meeting
Steelers won 17-16 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 5, 2004.
Who knew?
Bill Cowher, for all his success, is below .500 – 8-9 – vs. the Jaguars.
Spotlight on: Jaguars defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson
Some consider them the best interior defensive-line tandem in the league. They’ll have to be now that former Bronco Reggie Hayward is out for the season with a torn Achilles. The Jaguars’ defense traditionally plays the Steelers tough, witness the teams’ last meeting, when Jax held Willie Parker to 2.6 yards per on 21 carries, the lowest total of his career when he has had 10-plus carries.
Etc.
Steelers’ QB situation unclear as of mid-week, with Ben Roethlisberger listed as questionable. … Look for Jags QB Byron Leftwich to have a career year as free agency looms. … Charlie Batch 3-0 as Steelers’ startin’ QB. … So much for Sports Illustrated cover jinx. Stillers LB Joey Porter scored his first NFL TD with 42-yard INT return in opener. … A raise of hands, guys, if you need Porter planting a kiss on your neck, as he did with Cowher. Thought so. … Oh, and did we mention Porter had two sacks, too? Dude is nails. … Pitt’s Parker has run for at least 115 yards in past three. … Did you know? Jags going back to 2005 have won nine of past 10.
Prediction: Jaguars 20, Steelers 17
