2018 NFL Power Rankings: Divisional Playoffs edition

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

13-3 (AFC North champions)

No. 2 Seed in AFC

This week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC Divisional Playoffs

We are getting ready to see the NFL’s third-ranked passing attack against the league’s No. 1 defense against the pass. And the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to avoid a repeat of the last time they squared off with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Back in Week 5, Mike Tomlin’s club fell at home and fell hard, 30-9. Led by safety Tashaun Gipson and pick-sixes by safety Barry Church (51 yards) and linebacker Telvin Smith (28 yards), the Jaguars picked off Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger five times – twice by Gipson. But it is worth noting that “Big Ben” also threw for 312 yards in the lopsided loss, finding All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown 10 times for 157 yards.

And speaking of the record-setting performer, he figures to make his return to the field this season for the first time since injuring his leg in the first half on the team’s loss to New England. And Brown had a lot of good things to say about teammates such as rookie Juju Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant during his absence.

“I think the young guys did a great job stepping up and making some plays,” explained Brown to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “They bought me some time with a victory and the bye week. Those guys were really dynamic putting points on the board and coming through for the team.”

Are the Steelers primed for revenge? It will be interesting to see how rusty Brown is early on. Meanwhile, running back Le’Veon Bell takes aim at the league’s 21st-ranked run defense.

Next: No. 1