The Steelers could easily be 4-1 instead of 2-3. They lost consecutive 23-20 games in Weeks 3 and 4 to Cleveland and Tennessee.

        Pittsburgh was 0-3 and looking at consecutive road games against Jacksonville and and the Jets, but the Steelers went deep into their running game and came away with a pair of victories.

        The Steelers win by running the ball and stopping the run on defense.

        They ran 40 percent of the time in their first three games — all losses — but went to the ground for 65 percent of their plays in their two-game win streak.

        A look at Pittsburgh:

Thumbs up
        • Running game. Pittsburgh is second in the NFL with 143.4 rushing yards a game, up from its 16th rank ing after three games. Featured back Jerome Bettis has rushed for 422 yards on 105 carries and has five rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the most in the NFL. He also has 25 rushing first downs.

        • Defense. The Steelers are second in the NFL by allowing opposing offenses only three touchdowns in 14 trips inside their 20-yard line. They've held offenses to eight field goals and 45 total points in the red zone. They also are holding opponents to 84.8 yards rushing each game. They held Jacksonville to 26 yards rushing and Cleveland to 61.

        • Field position. Pittsburgh's average drive starts at the 30.5-yard line, fifth in the NFL.

Thumbs down
        • Close games. Until the 1999 season, the Steelers were 26-12 under coach Bill Cowher in games decided by seven or fewer points. In the last two years, they are 2-7, including 0-2 this season. They blew a chance at a tying field goal in Cleveland when quarterback Kent Graham was sacked with no timeouts remaining after the Steelers had driven to the Browns 6-yard line.

        • Pass defense. They are 19th in the league by allowing 214.6 yards a game. The Steelers also have only six interceptions and 10 sacks.

        • Pass offense. The passing game has been inconsistent at best and is averaging only 173.6 yards a game, only 30 more than the running game. They also have only one touchdown pass.

Jury's out
        • Quarterback controversy. Cowher is going with Graham, now that he's healthy, rather than Kordell Stewart, but the flap could divide the players.

Steeler QB situation has Bengals guessing Steelers Scouting Report Heath gets another start

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