STEELERS Low-key approach being taken

New England's 21-game winning streak is on the line.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Ask the Pittsburgh Steelers about the New England Patriots' unofficial NFL record 21-game winning streak, and it's likely they will turn the question around.
What about their own four-game winning streak since rookie Ben Roethlisberger replaced the injured Tommy Maddox at quarterback?
With the Steelers (5-1) a game up on the favored Ravens (4-2) in the AFC North and 10 games still remaining, the Steelers understand the dangers of focusing too much attention on a single regular-season game -- even one that could bring an end to the Patriots' run.
Opportunity
That's why the Steelers are taking a decidedly low-key approach into Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, even if winning would substantially increase the national profile of a team that went 6-10 last season.
"We can't get too caught up and enamored with what they've done," coach Bill Cowher said Tuesday. "If we play our game, minimize the mistakes and try to seize some opportunities, hopefully it will fall the right way and we'll have an opportunity to win. We're going to have to be on top of our game to win this."
Or, exactly how they have been since Roethlisberger took over. Certainly, the opposition has been suspect -- the combined record of their beaten opponents is 10-23 -- but that doesn't minimize how well Roethlisberger has played and how quickly he has settled in.
Ratingsberger
Roethlisberger wasn't expected to play much if at all this season, yet is fourth in passer rating behind only Daunte Culpepper, Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb. Roethlisberger's 69 percent completion rate isn't that far off the NFL's all-time record of 70.55 by Cincinnati's Ken Anderson in 1982, and his ability to make plays while on the move has added an extra dimension to Pittsburgh's offense.
But if Roethlisberger is interested in learning how far he's come, he's likely to find out as the Steelers meet the NFL's only two remaining unbeatens, the Patriots and the Eagles (6-0), on successive Sundays in Pittsburgh.
Roethlisberger has been warned by teammates what to expect from Patriots coach Bill Belichick's defense -- namely, a whole lot of what he hasn't seen before.
The plan
"I'm sure there will be something (different) he will see," Cowher said. "They'll give us some things we'll have to adjust to. But we can't get too caught up in what they do. We have to establish our plan, play smart, control the clock and make some third downs."
The Steelers found out three seasons ago how confusing the Patriots' defense can be even to an experienced quarterback. Then, Pittsburgh was a big favorite in the AFC championship game, only to have a confused Kordell Stewart throw three interceptions during a 24-17 New England victory that led to the first of the Patriots' two Super Bowl championships in three seasons.
Wide receiver Hines Ward still remembers how the Steelers' offense scurried to adjust on the fly as the Patriots repeatedly gave them defensive looks they didn't expect and didn't practice for.
They're waiting
"I'm sure with Ben, they will have a special package for him," Ward said. "But we can't put it all on Ben's shoulders. We can't say, 'You've got to pass the ball for us to win.' "
Just like the Steelers won't say they've made their season should they end the Patriots' streak.
"Sure you get excited about (the game), and I'm not going to downplay that. There's nothing to downplay," Cowher said. "It's a big game. It's why you're in this game, to play in games like this. But there is a lot more left after this game. Nothing will be accomplished or defined with this game."