NOTEBOOK Steelers vs. Patriots

Up next: The Steelers wind up the first half of the season on Sunday with another undefeated team at Heinz Field -- the Philadelphia Eagles (7-0). On Nov. 14, the Steelers will play the Browns (3-4) at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Both games are 1 p.m. kickoffs.Duce and The Bus: Starting tailback Duce Staley enjoyed his fourth 100-yard game of the season as he gained 125 yards on 25 carries. His career-best is five, set in 1999 with the Eagles. "To be honest, I'm still learning this offense," Staley said. "It took me some time in training camp just to get the basics down and now that we're throwing a wrench in with trick plays, I'm trying to learn those." Jerome Bettis picked up another 65 yards on 15 carries and scored his eight touchdown. Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Bettis "ran well. So all those people that thought he was maybe washed up, I think that he has proved some people wrong."Sacks: Linebacker Joey Porter played his strongest game in two seasons, sacking Patriots quarterback Tom Brady three times and forcing two fumbles. "Once we had the lead, we knew they were going to pass the ball," said Porter who led with eight tackles. "When they pass, you have a quarterback who's not going to run out of the pocket. You can kind of rush any way you want." Cowher said Porter and linebacker Clark Haggans "were relentless."Largest crowd: Sunday's attendance of 64,737 set a new record for Heinz Field, topping the old mark by 33. The previous record was set on Jan. 27, 2002 when the Steelers hosted the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Three Rivers Stadium had a capacity of 59,700 for football.One more: Ben Roethlisberger (5-0 as a starter) needs another win to tie the NFL record for rookie quarterbacks. Mike Kruczek set the mark when he was 6-0 for the Steelers in 1976.
Tom Williams