AFC NORTH Early tricks turn to treats for Steelers

The team looks nothing at all like the team that started the season.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- It would have been laughable to suggest after season-opening losses to New England and Oakland that the Pittsburgh Steelers would have a record as good or better than either team by Halloween.
Look who's laughing now.
After winning four of five, and with a seemingly soft schedule ahead of them, the Steelers (4-3) are quickly becoming the team they expected to be in training camp. And looking nothing at all like the team that started the season by playing so terrible in losses to the Patriots (30-14) and Raiders (30-17).
"The confidence is up on this team, the morale is up," cornerback Dwayne Washington said. "It's going to be tough to beat us."
Especially when the rest of their schedule doesn't look very challenging for a team that might be playing as well as it did in going 13-3 last season.
Remaining schedule
Of the Steelers' remaining nine opponents, only Atlanta (4-3) and Tampa Bay (6-2) have winning records -- a schedule is, by far, the easiest of any of the current prime contenders for the AFC playoffs. Among their remaining opponents are the winless Bengals (0-7) and expansion Houston Texans (2-5).
"We're feeling good, but we have to stay hungry and stay humble," safety Lee Flowers said. "And we can't worry about our record."
With their schedule, that shouldn't be a problem -- at least as long as they can keep quarterback Tommy Maddox healthy.
Maddox gave the Steelers a scare Sunday when his left ankle was stepped on by Baltimore's Kelly Gregg in the third quarter and Pittsburgh cruising with a big lead. But X-rays proved negative, and Maddox returned to lead the Steelers to their fourth victory in five games since he replaced Kordell Stewart in the fourth quarter of a 16-13 overtime victory over Cleveland on Sept. 29.
Stewart, the Steelers' MVP last season, has played only one series since then, replacing Maddox briefly Sunday in Pittsburgh's 31-18 victory. With Maddox playing as efficiently and effectively as he is now, Stewart understands he won't be playing again soon unless there is another injury or an unusual circumstance.
Maddox hit his first 11 passes Sunday, two to Plaxico Burress for touchdowns, and is giving the Steelers their steadiest play at quarterback in years.
"He's been under a lot of scrutiny," coach Bill Cowher said. "Everybody is looking for holes. Can he do this? Can he do that? The only person who doesn't realize it is him. He's been calm, cool and collected the whole time. You have to respect a guy like that. He's the consummate team guy. He's done a good job leading this team."
The Steelers could be without running back Jerome Bettis (left knee sprain) for a second straight game. His replacements, Amos Zereoue (53) and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (21) combined for 74 yards against Baltimore.