Gary Cameron / Reuters

Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard is lifted by guard Vince Manuwai as they celebrate a touchdown against Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

The Jaguars came in off six wins in their last eight games, while the Steelers — missing five starters, including star running back Parker — limped into the postseason with three losses in four games and four in seven.

With no Parker, the NFL’s leading rusher until he broke his right leg Dec. 20 against St. Louis, the Steelers needed to be creative offensively and Roethlisberger was exactly that on the opening possession. Using rollouts and swing passes to gain the yardage they normally get on Parker’s running, the Steelers drove 80 yards for Davenport’s 1-yard TD run and a 7-0 lead.

That efficient, creative Steelers offense disappeared the rest of the half, replaced by the familiar mistake-a-minute style so common when they ended five seasons with home playoff losses under former coach Bill Cower from 1992-2004. Cowher, coincidentally, resigned as coach after 15 seasons a year to the day Saturday.

Mathis, who decided Jacksonville’s 23-17 overtime win at Heinz Field in 2005 with an interception return touchdown in overtime, jumped on a slant pattern by Holmes early in the second quarter for his 63-yard interception return. Two plays before, the Steelers appeared to get a big break when a tipped pass intended for Miller deflected to Ward for a 33-yard gain, a mini-Immaculate Reception 35 years and two weeks after the original.

Roethlisberger, perhaps attempting to prove he wasn’t discouraged by that interception, went right back at Mathis on Pittsburgh’s next possession — and was intercepted by him again. The Jaguars promptly scored two plays later, on a 43-yard swing pass to Jones-Drew that made it 21-7.

With the Steelers driving late in the half, after Scobee’s missed 46-yard field goal attempt, Roethlisberger was intercepted yet again by rookie backup lineman Derek Landri.

Despite the comeback, the Steelers ended their first season under new coach Mike Tomlin the same way they did their first under Cowher in 1992, with a first-game playoff loss on their home field.

“We fell short,” Tomlin said. “Nothing really soothes the feeling we have right now.”

Notes: Jacksonville hadn’t won a playoff game since beating Miami 62-7 on Jan. 15, 2000. ... Until this game, the Steelers had won their first home playoff game nine times since that 1992 loss. ... Jacksonville scored at least 24 points for the 11th consecutive game. ... Taylor was held to about half his 91.5 yards career average against Pittsburgh. He was held below 100 for the first time in his last six games. ... Pittsburgh led 340-239 in total yardage after being outgained 421-217 by Jacksonville last month.

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