Each week the Steel City Underground staff will put their brilliant minds to task in order to come up with their keys to the game, or, those players, coaching decisions, or situations which could determine the outcome of the game.

The SCU panel gives their thoughts on Sunday’s keys to winning the game.

Tommy Jaggi

The key to this game to me is Ben Roethlisberger. When these two teams played each other back in week 5, it wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was probably the worst game of Ben’s career. Though not all five interceptions were his fault, Ben deserved much of the blame, as he averaged just 5.6 yards per pass attempt and completed just 60 percent of his passes. Though he threw for 312 yards, Ben was held to just a 37.8 quarterback rating in the first matchup against the Jaguars and failed to put the ball in the end zone. The key to the Steelers success directly hinges on Big Ben. If he plays mistake-free football, the Steelers should own Jacksonville in this one. However, if Ben turns the ball over more than once, the Steelers are unlikely to come out on top.

Terry Fletcher

The keys to this game is rattle Blake Bortles. In the Wild Card matchup, he threw for 88 yards. Yes, he had 87 yards rushing but that was against one of worst rush defenses in the Bills. Their game was won, by another controversial no-catch no-pick ref non-call.

A 10-7 win at home against a team with 17-year playoff drought is nothing to brag about. Even Jags coach Doug Marrone voiced his concerns on his quarterback’s play after the game.

For those thinking, “Well Ben did throw five picks in their last meeting”… that was three months ago!

Ben finished the regular season as a Pro Bowl quarterback. We have a healthy offense with the Killer Bees all back: Ben, Bell, Brown, Bryant, Boswell, Binny (a.k.a. Vince Williams) and others playing in their first playoff game (JuJu Smith-Schuster, T.J. Watt, Joe Haden and Mike Hilton) waiting to make a statement.

Get after their sub-par quarterback and the Steelers put a 40 burger on the board.

Joe Kuzma

The key to this game is the Steelers just need to be themselves.

That’s also the problem: they can be so many different things, that the identity of the team is sometimes lost. On offense, it’s going to be whatever it takes. Don’t get too fancy and don’t turn the ball over. If Bell only has 15 carries, but Ben is on fire, so what? They need to not only win this game but make sure they come out of it as healthy as possible. I’d like a fast start from the offense so the game plan doesn’t get flipped on them and they are forced to change things up by playing from behind.

On defense, they also just need to do their thing. I don’t think Leonard Fournette is enough to beat them alone unless he manages a 300-yard from scrimmage day. Even if the Steelers are minus some key components on that side of the ball, I struggle with the concept of Blake Bortles and the rest of the Jaguars offense being able to keep pace with the Steelers offense.

Reed Harmon

The key for me is using Le’Veon Bell in the running game, who had just 15 carries the first time these two met for just 47 yards.

Bell had 10 catches too but for only 46 yards.

If you keep Ben under 35 passes and give Bell the ball 28-30 times whether, through the ground or air, I think they will be much more efficient going up and down the field.

Also realize that AB might not be at 100%, so the use of Bell will be crucial.

Of course, JuJu and Marty will be as well. Smart play calling in the red zone will help as well as they went 0-3 in Week 5.

Tina Rivers

The Steelers have got to use the run game to keep the Jaguars from crashing the offensive line. The Steelers’ offensive line has been underrated all season and they should be able to open nice lanes for Le’Veon Bell. Getting Bell out into the flats for passes will then open up the other routes for the receivers. I think getting the tight ends involved, whether Jesse James or Vance McDonald, can also alleviate the need for deep passes to convert critical downs.

I have to agree with Reed on this. If the Steelers defense can limit the run and the offense can get Bell involved heavily, they will be able to play a much more balanced game than they did in Week 5.

Brian E. Roach

The key is simple as simple can be. Protect the ball. The Steelers can and will beat the Jaguars provided they don’t beat themselves. Mike Mitchell said much the same thing this week. Lean on Le’Veon and the run game, throw when necessary and take what the defense is giving you. Don’t force it because they don’t need to force it.

On the defensive side of the ball, they need to maintain discipline in their rush lanes (something that has been hit or miss all year) and keep Fournette under control. Do those things they will win the game.