By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Defensive coordinator Jim Mora is understandably proud of the San Francisco 49ers' linebackers. They're one of the NFL's elite groups, and they're the key to an increasingly dominant defense.

Yet even Mora, who doesn't spend much time looking at other defenses, knows the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the few linebacking corps that might be the 49ers' equal.

And unlike Mora's group, the Steelers' linebackers are healthy for Monday night's meeting at Candlestick Park.

"Between these two teams, we've got two of the best bunches of linebackers," Mora said. "I like our guys better than anybody, but you look at the names over there, and you can't argue with their group. It's fun to see two teams with this many playmakers running around doing amazing things."

San Francisco built its defense around the versatility and speed of its linebackers. Pro Bowler Julian Peterson has become one of the NFL's dominant players, while Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich are among the best at filling holes, stopping runners and covering receivers.

But the 49ers' star quartet could be down to three - or even two. Jamie Winborn probably will miss the rest of the season with a herniated disc in his neck, removing his speed and electric tackling skills from Mora's options. Ulbrich also is questionable with a sprained ankle, though he expects to play.

"I think they all are productive players," Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said. "They play very well within that scheme. Derek Smith has been so solid in the middle. Ulbrich can run, and he's a good player. I'm very impressed with this type of team where the guys are never out of position."

The Steelers (3-6) are making their first trip to San Francisco since 1999 for a meeting between two much-decorated franchises that got off to disappointing starts.

Despite a five-game losing streak that ended last week, the Steelers are just two games behind Baltimore in the AFC North. The 49ers (4-5) are in the same situation, trailing St. Louis and Seattle by two games in the NFC West.

Pittsburgh's linebackers have been outstanding for years - so good, in fact, the Steelers use a 3-4 defensive alignment with few problems despite the resulting size disadvantage at the line of scrimmage.

Joey Porter and Jason Gildon are two of the league's most respected outside linebackers, while James Farrior and Kendrell Bell are tough in the middle.

"The thing you watch about that defense is the linebackers," 49ers right tackle Scott Gragg said. "They only have three down linemen, but the linebackers are like having four more because they're so fast and because of the way they play. They don't look like most defenses, but they can make it work."

Mora isn't quite ready to adopt Pittsburgh's unorthodox ideas about alignment. He's got plenty of creativity in his own scheme - much of it involving Peterson, who was cited by several Steelers as the most dangerous part of the 49ers' defense.

"He's a good player. He's a big linebacker with great speed," said Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress, who played with Peterson at Michigan State. "He was very good in school. He only played a year and just ripped it up, and ended up being a first-round pick."

San Francisco's bye week didn't do much to improve its injury situation. Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia, who missed the Niners' win over St. Louis two weeks ago with an injured ankle, isn't expected to play again.

Tim Rattay, nearly flawless in his starting debut against the Rams, will attempt to do it again. He could be trouble for the Steelers' struggling secondary unless Pittsburgh can force him out of the pocket - since, unlike Garcia, Rattay doesn't prefer to be on the move.

Pittsburgh was known for its heavy, frequent blitzes in previous seasons, but seemed to move away from that strategy earlier this fall. After the losses began to pile up, defensive coordinator Tim Lewis brought back the blitz last week against Arizona - and it helped the Steelers to a convincing win.

"I think that's their defense. That's what they do," Rattay said. "They have four very athletic linebackers. They do a lot of different things, and they can do a lot of stuff out of those four linebackers. They are so athletic, they can cover, they can rush, they can do all the things. I'm sure they'll still keep blitzing."

Today's game

PITTSBURGH (3-6) At SAN FRANCISCO (4-5)

9 p.m., ABC (Chs. 9, 2)

SERIES RECORD - 49ers lead 9-8.

LAST MEETING - Steelers beat 49ers 27-6 on Nov. 7, 1999, at San Francisco.

LAST WEEK - Steelers beat Cardinals 28-15. 49ers had bye, beat Rams 30-10 in Week 9.

STEELERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (22), RUSH (29), PASS (12)

STEELERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (4), RUSH (6), PASS (10)

49ERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (8), RUSH (4), PASS (15)

49ERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (7), RUSH (5), PASS (27)

KEY MATCHUP - Steelers QB Tommy Maddox vs. 49ers OLB Julian Peterson. Maddox has been inconsistent for much of the season. He's one of 11 QBs with more than 2,000 yards passing, and has 11 TD passes, but he's thrown 11 INTs and has been sacked 25 times, fifth most in league. 49ers have sacked opponents 27 times, tied for second in NFL. Peterson leads team with four sacks, and if Niners can pressure Maddox, they can make work easier for injured secondary.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Teams have played in more than one-fourth of all Super Bowls. 49ers are 5-0, Steelers are 4-1. . . . 49ers have 36 wins on Monday night, tied for second most in NFL. . . . Steelers WR Hines Ward leads AFC with 60 catches and is tied for most TDs by AFC WRs with eight.

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