Steelers give rivals new life

Even though the Cleveland Browns were off Sunday enjoying their open weekend, Dawg Pound fans had reason to celebrate.
It's rare when an NFL team blows a 17-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Pittsburgh Steelers found a way, choking at home against the Atlanta Falcons and sensational quarterback Michael Vick.
Instead of going for the jugular and killing off the Falcons, the Steelers chose to play ultra-conservatively, trying to pound out late yardage with petite Amos Zereoue playing the role Jerome "The Bus" Bettis.
Amos may someday be famous, but he's no diesel.
And the Steelers are one win short of leading the AFC.
Adding insult to injury was offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey turning conservative on quarterback Tommy Maddox's record-breaking passing day.
Twice with the Steelers nursing leads, Mularkey started two three-and-out series with a Zereoue run.
"We don't feel uncomfortable running it," Steelers coach Bill Cowher explained Tuesday.
New life to rivals
Sunday's 34-34 tie may not cost the Steelers (5-3-1) the AFC North Division title or even a bye in the opening round of the NFL playoffs. But it's given new life to their division rivals -- the Browns (4-5) and Baltimore Ravens (4-5).
Instead of sharing the conference lead with the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, the Steelers find themselves trying to fend off the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.
Two of those teams will enjoy having off the first weekend in January. Four others will play in the wild-card playoff round. If the Steelers are one of them, their fans can thank Sunday's non-victory.
Two months ago, Cowher's team was smoked on national television in humiliating losses to the Patriots at New England and the Raiders at Heinz Field.
In danger of losing their third straight game, Cowher benched quarterback Kordell Stewart in favor of Tommy Maddox. After Maddox led the Steelers to an overtime victory over the Browns, Cowher named the 1992 first-round draft pick his new starter.
Maddox and the Steelers dropped his first start at New Orleans. Pittsburgh hasn't lost since (although Sunday's finish was less than triumphant).
After the tie, Cowher donned an arrogant tone, refusing to treat the game as a loss or question his team's strategy in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Blast of fresh air
Tuesday, Cowher showed his softer side, all but admitting his staff could have done better. It was a blast of fresh air.
A few weeks back, Bob Costas asked Dan Marino on HBO's "Inside the NFL" to explain the Steelers turnaround from their 0-2 start to first place in the AFC North Division.
Counting off with his fingers, Marino pointed out that Pittsburgh's wins were over the mediocre Browns and Ravens and the pathetic Cincinnati Bengals.
The other win came against the Colts, the only opponent they've defeated that still has a winning record. (The Browns were 2-1 when they lost on Sept. 29 at Heinz Field.)
No control of slate
To be fair, the Steelers have no control over their schedule. But that's one reason the Steelers were expected by many in the pre-season to win the AFC and play in the franchise's sixth Super Bowl.
It could still happen, but they need to start playing like champions. They can't afford any more blown fourth-quarter leads if they want New Year's week off.
Are the Steelers legitimate contenders for the AFC Championship Game? Or are they the beneficiaries of the NFL's worst division and very weak schedule? The answers will be revealed soon.
XTom Williams covers the NFL for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.