NOTEBOOK | From Heinz Field

Series: The Raiders lead the series, 11-10. Steelers coach Bill Cowher is 4-1 all-time against Oakland. Raiders coach Bill Callahan is 1-1, winning last year's game here, 30-17.
Youngstown connection, part one: Tim Johnson, who played for Jim Tressel's Youngstown State teams in 1999 and 2000, started at middle linebacker for the Raiders and led the team with 11 tackles (seven solo). It was his second career start. "I've been to Europe, I've been to Chicago, Baltimore and finally stuck with the Raiders, so it feels good to be starting and having a coach who believes in me."
Youngstown connection, part two: Steelers safety Russell Stuvaints, who played for Tressel and Jon Heacock from 1999-2002, made his NFL regular season debut on special teams. "It was great living out that dream that [I] dreamed as a kid," said Stuvaints, who was cut in training camp, then added to the Steelers practice squad. "It was great -- I can't really describe it. And playing against a buddy from Youngstown State made it even better. It was truly a homecoming." The-23-year-old from McKeesport was activated last week after cornerback Chad Scott went on injured reserve with a broken hand. Stuvaints was listed as third-string safety behind Mike Logan and Troy Polamalu. Stuvaints, who played on the punt return and kickoff coverage teams, said he purchased a dozen tickets for his family, but saw a lot of friends in the stands, including former Penguin teammates Jon Tekac, Toner Barone and Dave Vecchione.
Staying alive: Despite their 5-8 record, the Steelers haven't been eliminated from the postseason picture. To win the AFC Central, the Steelers must win their remaining games (at the New York Jets on Sunday, home against the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 21 and against the Ravens at Baltimore on Dec. 28). They also need the first-place Ravens (8-5) to lose Sunday in Oakland and on Dec. 21 in Cleveland against the Browns and the Bengals to lose at least two of their remaining games. Cincinnati's opponents are the San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams and Browns. Denver's victory over Kansas City eliminated the Steelers from the wild-card race because the Broncos (8-5) defeated the Steelers in Week 6 and own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Streak: Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward caught four passes to extend his consecutive-game streak with at least one reception to 85.
Career-high: Defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen's three sacks gives him eight for the season, his career best. Teammate Aaron Smith had eight two seasons ago, the most for a Steelers lineman since Ray Seals had 8 1/2 in 1995.
-- Tom Williams