AFC NORTH Steelers upset over scheduling

Pittsburgh is at San Francisco Monday, then plays at Cleveland next Sunday.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2,300-mile trip to San Francisco this weekend doesn't bother their coach nearly as much as that 113-mile trip to Cleveland a week later.
The Steelers are the only NFL team this season that returns to the road immediately after a Monday night road game. With every game now so important to his team, coach Bill Cowher isn't happy.
Steelers owner Dan Rooney was told the league made an exception because the Steelers' trip to Cleveland is so short -- about two hours by bus. That explanation didn't pacify Cowher, especially with the Steelers (3-6) having so little margin of error over the next seven weeks.
"I don't see how there's any justification for that," Cowher said before the Steelers began practicing for Monday night's game against the 49ers. "But that's the hand we're dealt."
Only exception this year
Thirteen of the 16 visiting clubs on Monday night play at home the following week and two have a bye. The Steelers are the only exception.
Last year, four teams went back on the road following a Monday night road game -- the 49ers, Packers, Colts and Dolphins. Only the Packers won the second game.
"You pay the piper the next week, there's no question about it," Cowher said. "The negatives come when you find yourself pulling back into Pittsburgh about 6:30 on Tuesday morning and having to get ready to go to Cleveland the following Sunday."
Not only do the coaches effectively lose a night of sleep, they also lose a day of preparation the Browns' staff will have in advance of the Nov. 23 game.
Rooney talked to the league office about the situation, but didn't make a big deal about it because the Cleveland trip is so short.
"I think Mr. Rooney is too nice to them, and I told Mr. Rooney that," Cowher said.
Cowher may be more touchy than usual about such nuances because the Steelers probably can't afford more than two more losses if they are to win the AFC North. They ended a five-game losing streak Sunday by beating Arizona 28-15.
Visitors 8-2 on Monday
Perhaps Cowher can take solace in this: visitors are 8-2 on Monday night this season. The Steelers were 2-1 on Monday nights last year, beating Indianapolis at home and Tampa Bay on the road and losing at New England. The 49ers (4-5) are their only Monday night opponent this season.
Some players, including linebacker Joey Porter, have talked about needing to sweep the next seven games. Wide receiver Hines Ward, like Cowher, hopes the Steelers don't start looking too far ahead.
"We don't have anything to lose," he said Wednesday. "We just need to go out there and play loose. If we take that approach, we'll be all right. We need to go out and play and not worry about things. We're at our best when guys aren't trying to go out and make a play. We're better when guys go out and it comes natural to them."
The offensive line, troubled by injuries all season, was without right tackle Oliver Ross (sprained ankle) on Wednesday. Todd Fordham, benched three weeks ago, took his place. Ross is listed as questionable.
Last week, the Steelers hoped tackle Marvel Smith (neck) would be ready by now after sitting out most of the last two months, but he is listed as doubtful.