Niner Noise
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NFL playoffs: Niner Noise predictions for the Divisional Round

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings bats the ball away from Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints in the second half of the game on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings bats the ball away from Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints in the second half of the game on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a reception for a first down in the first half during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Heinz Field on October 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a reception for a first down in the first half during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Heinz Field on October 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1:05 p.m. ET

This game might actually wind up being closer than many might think.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers owning one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL this season, a top-ranked Jacksonville Jaguars defense poses some serious problems.

True, the Steelers are going to get wide receiver Antonio Brown back. Paired with fellow wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, one figures this to only benefit Pittsburgh. But standing in the way are two of Pro Football Focus‘ top cornerbacks, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.

This should be a matchup to watch.

But Jacksonville does have a bit of a defensive weakness, notably allowing 4.3 yards per gain on the ground, which is 26th in the NFL. So we should watch Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, right?

The problem is Jacksonville knows this too. And the defense is coming off a performance where they held Bills tailback LeSean McCoy to just 75 yards in the Wild Card round.

Still, the X-factor in this contest is Jags quarterback Blake Bortles, who hasn’t looked good since Week 14 of the regular season. At some point, he’s going to need to make some serious plays.

And that plays right into Pittsburgh’s hands.

Both teams likely focus on the running game early. Things stay close, but the Steelers eventually pull away in the second half.

Prediction: Steelers 25, Jaguars 17