Steelers hottest team in league

PITTSBURGH -- Three months ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers opened their season with a crushing defeat to the Jaguars in the Jacksonville rain, Bill Cowher's 100th coaching victory celebration appeared to be something that might have to wait until next season.
But since the 21-3 loss on Sept. 9, the Steelers have become the hottest team in the NFL.
And Cowher, who began his 10th season with 91 wins, has 100, though he wasn't celebrating just after Sunday's narrow escape in a 21-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field.
That the Steelers almost blew an 18-point lead in the final seven minutes suggests that this team might not be as good as its AFC-leading 9-2 record would indicate.
The Steelers' schedule, something that looked rather challenging in August, has been favorable. They won't face Miami or Oakland, the AFC's two other best teams so far.
Luck of the draw: And the Steelers were lucky with their NFC Central Division draw as the surprising Chicago Bears (9-2) and Green Bay Packers (8-3) aren't on the slate. (The Cleveland Browns have both.)
It helps that the Tennessee Titans, last year's AFC Central champions, have stumbled from contender status. Speaking of a major boost, the Browns twice defeated the Baltimore Ravens to help give Pittsburgh its game-and-a-half lead.
Still, give credit where credit is due. Cowher's team has found a way to win nine out of the past 10 games. Some have been close, others have been easy. And they could have defeated the Ravens Nov. 4 if placekicker Kris Brown had had a better day.
Cowher's milestone almost didn't happen in Pittsburgh. Two years ago, the Steelers collapsed for the second straight season and missed the playoffs.
Cowher and Tom Donohoe, the Steelers director of football operations, weren't speaking to each other. Both turned in their resignations. Owner Dan Rooney accepted Donohoe's.
That decision looked shaky last year when the Steelers opened with an 0-3 start, including the Kent Graham fiasco in Cleveland in Week 2 that prevented overtime.
Cowher rallied his troops, winning nine of the final 13 games. They remained in contention right up until the final day of the season, but still missed the playoffs.
In the off-season, after the Browns hired Butch Davis to run the show for $3 million per year, Rooney extended Cowher's contract and raised his salary to match what Davis received.
It looks now like a solid investment. All of the sudden, the Steelers are the team to beat in the AFC. With five games to play, the Steelers control their destiny.
Cowher knows what's at stake.
"We have put ourselves in a situation that when these opportunities come along, you have to seize them," Cowher said, looking ahead.
Jets up next: With the Ravens idle this Sunday, Pittsburgh can open up a two-game lead if they defeat the New York Jets (7-4).
It won't be easy because Jerome Bettis is unlikely to play because of a hip injury. (What is it with Pittsburgh star athletes and hip injuries this fall?)
A two-game lead would come in handy because the Steelers travel to Baltimore for a Dec. 16 showdown with the Ravens.
Should the Steelers defeat the Jets, they could clinch a tie for the division crown with a win over Baltimore.
Pittsburgh's final three games are against the winless Detroit Lions at Heinz Field on Dec. 23, the Bengals in Cincinnati on Dec. 30 and the Browns at Heinz Field on Jan. 6.
A win over the Jets is crucial if the Steelers want to remain home for at least one playoff game. A two-game lead with four to play means the Steelers could still lose to the Ravens and win the division (and earn a home playoff game) by winning the final three.
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.