Posted on 1/3/2008 11:55:30 AM

NFL Playoff Betting – Jaguars Battle Steelers and Heinz Field

By Russell Edward

The last two times the Jaguars have went into Pittsburgh, they have come away with a victory. In fact, Jacksonville has won three straight against the Steelers and the two games before that they lost by a total of three points. Jack Del Rio knows how to prepare his team for what the Steelers bring to the table, a fact that the BetUS sportsbook oddsmakers have acknowledged by setting the NFL betting line on this one 2.5-points in favor of the visitors. Both teams should be well-rested and energized for this game after resting many starters in Week 17.

Jacksonville Jaguars –2.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5

In Week 15, Jacksonville held the ball for almost 38 minutes. A feat made all the more impressive as the Steelers were number one at the time in offensive time of possession in the NFL betting. In that dominating victory that only seems closer because of the 29-22 final score, the Jags used their powerful running game to control the clock and keep Big Ben and his offense on the sidelines.

Fred Taylor racked up 147 yards on 25 carries and Maurice Jones-Drew added 69 more yards on the ground in what must have came as a shock to the Steelers and their fans. The two backs are aided by the fact that they run behind a very talented, and very large, offensive line that has gelled nicely as the season wore on. If the Steelers can’t overcome what has, as of late, been shoddy tackling, these two Jaguar backs could be in for another big day.

NFL Wild Card Playoff: Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 8 p.m. EST

Quarterback David Garrard has made the most of the opportunity handed to him by Del Rio when the head coach waived former starter Byron Leftwich just a week before the start of the 2007 NFL regular season. Garrard, while not flashy at all, protects the football like nobody’s business. His ability to manage the game is a big reason why the Jags are where they are right now and his style fits exceptionally well with the run-heavy offense instituted by the Jags.

Garrard’s ability to spread the ball around is a product of the fact that the Jags have no real go-to receiver. However, the receivers are good at blocking and getting themselves into position; they are big and strong and do not get pushed around very often. On third downs this season, there has been no one much better than Garrard in quarterback efficiency and this is the area where he must continue to excel if the Jaguars are going to cover this spread on the road for their football betting fans.

> > Check Week 18 Odds Here

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