The Associated Press

Now in his 12th season as Pittsburgh Steelers coach, Bill Cowher is 14-4 against the Browns, including a 2-0 mark in playoff games and a 5-0 record against Cleveland coach Butch Davis.

Cowher's success - the Steelers have won six straight over the Browns - has made the NFL's fiercest rivalry one-sided in recent years, tilting it to the other side of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.

The Browns (1-3) are hoping to end the Steelers' stranglehold Sunday night in a nationally televised game at Heinz Field.

Cleveland's visit will be its first since Jan. 4, when the Browns blew a 17-point lead in the second half and lost 36-33 in the AFC playoffs.

Nothing new there. The Browns have perfected the art of the close loss to Pittsburgh.

Last season, they went 0-3 against the Steelers (2-2), losing each game by three points. In the past two years, they've lost twice to Pittsburgh in overtime, once when Phil Dawson's potential game-winning field goal was blocked in OT.

Offensive tackle Barry Stokes said it's time to reverse the trend.

"We're going to get out there and beat the Steelers," said Stokes, whose practice time this week was limited by a sprained right ankle. "I can already sense it in the locker room. You feel it when you're going to have a good game. The energy is there."

JAGUARS: Jacksonville activated wide receiver Jimmy Smith and waived Micah Ross, who has been injured.

Smith had received a seven-day roster exemption Monday when his drug suspension was lifted by the NFL. He is scheduled to start Sunday's game against San Diego.

DOLPHINS: Offensive tackle Mark Dixon had surgery on his right ankle and will miss Sunday's game against the Giants.

VIKINGS: Quarterback Gus Frerotte will make his second straight start Sunday, replacing injured Daunte Culpepper when undefeated Minnesota (4-0) visits Atlanta. The Vikings have a bye the following weekend.

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