Browns will test Steelers

With a rookie quarterback at the helm for the foreseeable future, the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't expect a much better start than 3-1 and first place in the AFC North Division.
We'll soon find out just how good Bill Cowher's team is.
Sunday, the Steelers welcome the second-place Cleveland Browns (2-2) to Heinz Field. The following weekend, the Steelers will travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys (2-1) at Texas Stadium.
Then the real challenges will begin.
With 75 percent of their games still to be played, it's hard to say Sunday's game is more important than any of the other remaining contests.
But it is.
On Halloween after an open week, Pittsburgh will be at home against Bill Belichick's world-champion New England Patriots (3-0). The following Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0), featuring quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens, will visit Heinz Field.
And on Nov. 14, the Steelers will make their annual visit to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a rematch.
Won close gamesearly in the season
The good news for the Steelers is that they've won three games that were close in the fourth quarter (24-21 over the Oakland Raiders, 13-3 over the Miami Dolphins and 28-17 over the Cincinnati Bengals).
The not-so-good news is that the wins came against the Raiders, Dolphins and Bengals, a combined 3-9.
The Browns' wins came against the Baltimore Ravens (an inexplicable 2-2) and Washington Redskins (1-3). The losses were to the Cowboys and New York Giants (3-1).
"We recognize this will be a big game for us," Cowher said of Sunday's game. "You are looking at a team that came in here a year ago and beat us pretty good in our place."
Ah, last year. When the Browns walloped the Steelers 33-13 in a Sunday night game, Tim Couch was the quarterback. His replacement, Jeff Garcia, will provide a big test for the Steelers defenders. The former 49ers quarterback is not afraid to flee the pocket and throw on the run.
After four games, four of the Steelers' six leading tacklers are the secondary: Safety Troy Polamalu (30, first), safety Chris Hope (25, fourth), cornerback Deshea Townsend (19, fifth) and cornerback Chad Scott (17, sixth).
Only linebackers Larry Foote (28) and James Farrior (25) have more. Noticeably missing from that list is Joey Porter.
Steelers offense has limited mistakes
Pittsburgh's offense has limited mistakes in the three wins. Tailback Duce Staley is averaging 93 yards. If he gets that on Sunday, the Browns will have their hands full. If he fumbles twice like last week, the Browns might romp.
Ben Roethlisberger's overall numbers aren't flashy, but they aren't embarrassing. The first-round draft pick from Miami (Ohio) has a passer rating of 86.2, with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Roethlisberger's role is to not lose the game while he learns how to play at NFL speed. The more the Steelers run successfully, the better their chances of winning.
"For the wideouts, we're not going to have as many opportunities as last year," said Hines Ward, the team's top receiver with 28 catches. "We're not going to be throwing the ball 40 to 50 times a game.
"To get where we want to go, we have to have balance," Ward said. "We have the weapons to do that. When we were 13-3 [in 2001] we were balanced. Everybody helped contribute -- it was a great team victory."
In 2001, the Steelers, with Kordell Stewart at quarterback, won the AFC North and lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field.
The Steelers shifted gears in 2002 after an 0-2 start and Tommy Maddox replaced Stewart in the fourth quarter of a comeback overtime win against the Browns.
The Steelers turned pass happy, with Ward and Plaxico Burress each topping 1,000 yards.
With a rookie behind center, those days are over.
"He's still a rookie -- there are mistakes out there," Ward said. "The kid's getting better but there's still a lot of room for improvement."
Asked what it means to be in first at the quarter pole, Cowher replied: "Absolutely nothing."
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write to him at williams@vindy.com.