The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely have revenge on their minds when the defending AFC North champions head south this Sunday for a nationally-televised showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

These two AFC contenders last squared off in Pittsburgh back in January, with the Jaguars prematurely ending the reigning AFC North champion Steelers' promising season with a thrilling 31-29 victory in last year's Wild Card round of the conference playoffs. Kicker Josh Scobee booted home the game-winning field goal with just 37 seconds left, with quarterback David Garrard's memorable 32-yard fourth-down scramble setting up the go-ahead score.

Jacksonville also dealt the Steelers a stinging defeat at Heinz Field late in the 2007 season. Behind three touchdown passes from Garrard and a 147-yard effort by veteran running back Fred Taylor, the Jaguars earned a 29-22 win in mid-December that helped spark the club to a postseason berth.

The Jags didn't resemble a playoff team during the early portion of this season, however, as the expected Super Bowl contenders suffered a pair of narrow defeats to still-unbeatens Tennessee and Buffalo over the first two weeks. Jacksonville rebounded with a hard-fought 23-21 comeback triumph at defending AFC South champ Indianapolis in Week 3, then rallied to get past a determined Houston squad in overtime last Sunday in Jacksonville.

Garrard, who struggled noticeably during the Jaguars' first three games, fueled last week's 30-27 decision with his best showing of the season. The talented signal-caller completed 23-of-32 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown, while also running for a key score late in the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh has maintained its status as the team to beat in the AFC North through the first quarter of this campaign by winning three of its first four tests, including Monday's 23-20 overtime victory over Baltimore in which the Steelers fought back from a 10-point halftime deficit.

The win came with a cost, however, as rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall fractured his left shoulder during the game and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. The first-round draft choice was subbing for regular starter Willie Parker, who's hampered by a knee sprain that will keep him out for Sunday's clash as well.

In the meantime, the Steelers will rely heavily on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and an outstanding defense that produced five sacks against the Ravens, one of which forced a Joe Flacco fumble that Pittsburgh's LaMarr Woodley returned for a tide-turning touchdown late in the third quarter.

SERIES HISTORY

Jacksonville leads the all-time regular season series with Pittsburgh, 11-8, including the previously-mentioned 29-22 win at Heinz Field in Week 15 of last season. The Jaguars have won three straight in the series since the Steelers scored a 17-16 win in Jacksonville during the 2004 campaign. Pittsburgh was a 9-0 loser when it last visited Jacksonville, in 2006.'

The Jaguars' narrow win over the Steelers in last year's AFC Playoffs was the only postseason encounter between the foes.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio is 4-1 against the Steelers, while Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin is 0-2 against both Del Rio and Jacksonville as a head man.

WHEN THE STEELERS HAVE THE BALL

Pittsburgh's offense has been operating efficiently over the first two weeks due to a strong running game keyed by Parker (263 rushing yards, 3 TD), but the team was shut down in that area in back-to-back weeks by Philadelphia and Baltimore, two of the league's premier rushing defenses. With Parker, Mendenhall and possibly fullback Carey Davis (sprained ankle) all out for Sunday, the Steelers will use a backfield committee of third-down specialist Mewelde Moore (19 rushing yards, 3 receptions), former practice-squad member Gary Russell and veteran Najeh Davenport, whom the club re-signed this week in the wake of all the injuries. Moore mustered a paltry 13 yards on eight carries when called to duty against the Ravens on Monday. The Steelers' 21st- ranked rushing offense (100.5 ypg) suffered another blow during the Baltimore game when starting right guard Kendall Simmons suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.

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