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Steelers hope to clinch playoff spot

Dec 16, 2007 - 1:07 PM Jacksonville (9-4) at Pittsburgh (9-4) 1:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Suddenly, the Pittsburgh Steelers have some work left before wrapping up the AFC North title.

With their lead in the division down to one game, the Steelers host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in an AFC battle with major playoff implications.

Pittsburgh has been unable to put away the Cleveland Browns, who climbed within one game of the division lead following the Steelers' 34-13 loss to the New England Patriots.

The AFC North is the lone division in which the first-place has only a one-game advantage.

The Steelers can clinch a playoff spot with a victory but to lock up the division, they need a win and a Browns loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Last season, Pittsburgh missed the playoffs, going 8-8 the year after winning its fifth Super Bowl.

The Jaguars can secure a postseason berth with a win and defeats by Buffalo and Tennessee. The Bills play at Cleveland and the Titans visit Kansas City.

While the Steelers have struggled on the road (2-4), they join the Patriots as the only teams not to lose at home this season.

With road games remaining at St. Louis and Baltimore, Pittsburgh looks to complete a 8-0 season at Heinz Field.

Despite the loss at New England, Willie Parker ran for 124 yards to take over the NFL's rushing lead from Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson.

Jacksonville moved a step closer to the playoffs with a 37-6 rout of the Carolina Panthers last week.

Fred Taylor rushed for 132 yards, including an 80-yard TD touchdown. the longest run from scrimmage in the NFL this season. He climbed to 18th on the all-time rushing list, passing Eddie George and Tiki Barber.

The Jaguars, who are trying to nail down their first playoff berth since 1999, head to Pittsburgh following their best defensive effort in weeks.

Rebounding from a loss to Indianapolis that likely ended its division title hopes, Jacksonville allowed only 149 total yards, including just 99 through the air.