The Jaguars head north to Three Rivers Stadium to take on the Steelers.

The Jags and Steelers have split their previous eight encounters, with the home team prevailing in each instance.

A year ago, these clubs split their season series for the fourth time in as many seasons. In Week 12 at Three Rivers Stadium, Jaguars QB Mark Brunell completed just 18-of-42 passes for 212 yards and a score but was picked off three times, two of those thefts returned for touchdowns by Steelers CB Dewayne Washington, as Bill Cowher's club held on for a 30-15 win.

Five weeks later in the regular-season finale on a Monday night at ALLTEL Stadium (Week 17), Jaguars QB Jonathan Quinn (starting for an injured Brunell) threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score as Tom Coughlin's club posted an easy 21-3 victory.

Numbers: In four games at Three Rivers Stadium (0-4), the Jaguars' offense has amassed just 1,036 total yards (259.0 YPG), including just 332 yards rushing (83.0 YPG) and scored just five touchdowns, while committing 10 turnovers (3 of those returned for touchdowns) and allowing 18 sacks in those four contests. Including playoffs, the Jaguars have forced 36 turnovers in 14 wins, eight turnovers in seven losses dating back to '98. The Jaguars have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 3 straight games. WR Jimmy Smith has totaled 100 or more yards receiving in 3 straight games.

Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Steelers are 24-3 when limiting the opposition to 17 or fewer points, 8-20 when giving up more than 17 points. The Steelers have totaled 26 takeaways in nine wins while forcing just 12 turnovers in 10 losses dating back to '98. The Steelers have allowed just 109 points in 9 wins (15 or fewer points in 7 of those contests) while giving up 243 points in 10 losses dating back to '98. Pittsburgh has forced two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Things To Look For: While Three Rivers Stadium has been a house of horrors for Tom Coughlin's club, the Jaguars would probably be happy if they didn't have to play in the rain this week, although Pittsburgh's defense figures to cause QB Mark Brunell some discomfort. Both Steelers' quarterbacks (Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomczak) had no answers for Seattle's defense last week and more of the same is not unlikely.

Etc.: The Jaguars are 29-11 in their last 40 regular-season games (32-14, including playoffs) dating back to 1996, this after managing just an 8-19 record in their first 27 contests dating back to their debut season in 1995. Including playoffs, the Jaguars are 40-33 in their 73-game history (1995-99), including 21-12 vs. the AFC Central.

The Steelers are 36-17 vs. AFC Central teams under head coach Bill Cowher (including 1-0 in playoffs) dating back to 1992. The Steelers have lost three straight home games dating back to '98.