Time: Kickoff is 4:15 p.m. Sunday.
Weather: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the low 60s.
Oddsmakers say: Pittsburgh by five and a half with an over/under of 36.
Daily Record’s guarded guarantee: The Bus keeps rollin’ to a Pittsburgh win: 21-17.
Records: Jaguars 3-5, Steelers 6-2.
The series: The Jaguars hold an 8-5 advantage in regular season games over the Steelers, but have only won twice in Pittsburgh in six tries.
Last meeting: The Jaguars ambushed the Steelers 21-3 on a rainy opening day at Alltel Stadium. The defense dominated, the offense looked strong, it looked like the team of 1999. Five losses later, it is the Jaguars who reside in the AFC Central basement with the Tennessee Titans, while the Steelers are at the top of the division.
Television: The game will be televised locally on Ch. 4 and regionally on CBS affiliates. Ian Eagle will call play-by-play with Solomon Wilcots adding color commentary.
The game: Jacksonville travels to Pittsburgh for the last time as AFC Central Division foes. NFL realignment will separate the two teams next year. “It’s been a great rivalry,” said Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin. “It’s been a rivalry that’s had great respect. It’s too bad we’re going to be in different divisions.” The Jaguars won the last meeting in Pittsburgh on the legs of running back Fred Taylor, who pounded out 234 yards. Don’t count on it to happen Sunday. If Taylor, who is recovering from a groin injury even suits up, he may be only good for about 10 carries or so because he hasn’t played since September. Look for the Jaguars to rely on Stacy Mack once again. The Steelers haven’t looked like the team the Jaguars manhandled in Game 1, working their way to the top of the division. “They have played their way into a good football team,” says Coughlin. “Any team that rushes for 187 yards on average is a good football team. Their speed is the key factor, they’ve been relatively healthy, they’re more diversified on offense, the kicking game, with the exception of the game against Baltimore, is very sound.”
Next week: The Jaguars host the Baltimore Ravens for a 4:15 p.m. game.
—by Glenn Tschimpke