NFL Preview Today’s wild card games

JACKSONVILLE (11-5)
at PITTSBURGH (10-6)

Game time: 8 p.m.
TV: (21) (3) (11)
Opening line: Steelers by 11⁄2. Record vs. spread: Jaguars 11-5; Steelers 8-8.
Series record: Jaguars lead series 11-8. Playoff record: Jaguars 4-5; Steelers 28-18.
Last meeting: Jaguars 29, Steelers 22, Dec. 16, 2007. Last week: Jaguars lost to Texans 42-28; Steelers lost to Ravens 27-21.
Notebook: Jacksonville has won three of four in Pittsburgh and was only team to beat Steelers (7-1) at home this season. In 75-year history, Steelers have never lost twice to same team in Pittsburgh in one season or in successive home games. ... Jaguars, winners of 11 of past 15, have beaten AFC North six straight. ... Jags ranked first in AFC in rushing offense (149.4 yards per game), while Steelers were second (135.5). ... RB Fred Taylor (223 carries, 1,202 yards, career-high 5.4 yards per carry) closed out season with five straight 100-yard games, gaining 598 yards on 78 attempts (7.7 yards per carry) in that span. In five career postseason outings, Taylor is averaging 103.4 yards rushing per game (98 carries, 517 yards) with three TDs: two rushing, one receiving. Taylor owns two records for opponents vs. Pittsburgh: most yards rushing in one game (234 set in 2000) and most yards rushing at Heinz Field (147 set this season). ... RB Maurice Jones-Drew (1,175 yards from scrimmage, 9 TDs) is averaging 119.5 yards from scrimmage over past two games. ... QB David Garrard (2,509 yards, 18 TDs, 102.2 passer rating) threw three TDs last meeting and finished season 9-3 as starter. ... WR Reggie Williams set team single-season record with 10 TD receptions and has scored in four straight. ... 23 players on Jaguars’ 53-man roster have no postseason experience.

WASHINGTON (9-7) At SEATTLE (10-6)

Game time: 4:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: (21) (3) (11) (WBBG-FM 106.1)
Opening line: Seahawks by 5. Record vs. spread: Redskins 7-7-2; Seahawks 9-6-1.
Series record: Redskins lead series 9-5. Playoff record: Redskins 23-16; Seahawks 6-9.
Last meeting: Seahawks 20, Redskins 10, NFC divisional playoffs, Jan. 14, 2006 at Seattle. Last week: Redskins beat Cowboys 27-6; Seahawks lost to Falcons 44-41.
Notebook: Washington has won four of last five in series, but Seattle’s win was in second round of 2005 playoffs. ... Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is 17-6 (.739) in playoffs and 5-1 overall against Seattle. ... Skins have won four in row and are third team since 1978 to start 5-7 and reach postseason. ... QB Todd Collins has led team to four straight wins after replacing Jason Campbell (dislocated kneecap). Collins was 67-of-105 (63.8 percent) for 888 yards, five TDs and no INTs. He fumbled four times and lost two. ... RB Clinton Portis (325 carries, 1,262 yards) is averaging 116 yards from scrimmage in three career games vs. Seahawks. He was one of four RBs with 1,600-plus yards from scrimmage (1,651) and had career-best 47 receptions this season. In last three outings, Portis averaged 127 yards from scrimmage, scored four TDs and threw for one. ... Redskins led NFC with 18 fumbles lost. ... TE Chris Cooley (66 receptions, career-high 786 yards) led NFC with personal-best eight TDs. Cooley averaged 21.3 yards per catch last meeting. ... WR Santana Moss (61 receptions, 808 yards) had season highs in receptions (8) and yards (115) last week and is averaging 87 yards receiving over past three. Moss, who has scored in two straight, still finished with lowest TD total (3) since rookie season. He had seven catches for 103 yards and a TD in last meeting.

Associated Press