STEELERS Led by defense, playoffs in reach

Pittsburgh plays the Browns and the Lions in the final two weeks.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- After losing three games in a row to effectively hand the AFC North title to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers knew they needed to be perfect the rest of the season.
Only 4-for-4 -- four wins in four games -- would get them into the playoffs, and then probably only as a wild card and the No. 6 seeded team in the AFC.
Two games and two victories later, the Steelers' defense has been nearly that: perfect, or at least as close as an NFL team can be so late in the season.
While ending consecutive winning streaks of eight games (Chicago Bears, 21-9) and six games (Minnesota Vikings, 18-3), the Steelers' defense allowed one meaningless late touchdown to the Bears, two field goals and not much more.
The Bears (10-4) and Vikings (8-6) have 18 victories between them, yet they combined for 26 first downs, 137 yards rushing and 453 total yards against the Steelers -- many of those late passing yards by the Bears in a game already lost.
Back where they belong
The Steelers (9-4) are back to playing the kind of defense they had while going 15-1 last season, when they allowed the fewest yards in the league. To coach Bill Cowher, it's coming just in time, with the Steelers probably needing to beat the Cleveland Browns (5-9) on Saturday and the Detroit Lions (4-10) on Jan. 1 to make the playoffs.
"We're playing like we should be playing," Cowher said Monday. "Not to take anything away from Minnesota or Chicago, but those offenses are two that we should be able to stand up to. We need to play this way and take a step forward."
What Cowher especially likes is how linebackers Joey Porter and James Farrior have begun playing like they did a season ago, when Farrior was an All-Pro and Porter made the Pro Bowl.
Farrior hasn't come close to matching his 2004 season statistically, but has 20 tackles the last two weeks. Porter, who had knee surgery during training camp, had an interception and two sacks the last two games and now has more sacks (8) than he had last season (7).
"Joey is getting energized and getting his knees back," Cowher said. "I don't think he's been 100 percent all year long. He's never really gotten a chance to rest it. I think James is probably the same way. I think this is the first time he's played without the knee brace in some time."
The Vikings also had problems handling lineman Casey Hampton, who caused a safety by running over backup center Cory Withrow and driving him into running back Michael Bennett in the end zone.
"They're all playing defensively at a high level," Cowher said.
Tough opponent
The Browns had no offense except for three Phil Dawson field goals Sunday, but they were enough to beat the Raiders 9-7 in Oakland. The Browns have been out of playoff contention for weeks in coach Romeo Crennel's first season, but have had a history of playing the Steelers tough at home.
The Steelers have won in Cleveland each of the last four seasons, but the scores have been 15-12 (2001), 23-20 (2002), 13-6 (2003) and 24-10 (2004).
"It's a football team that took Cincinnati down to the last second the week before," Cowher said. "They beat Miami 22-0 a few weeks ago. There will be great satisfaction if they can knock us out of the playoffs."
The Steelers can go 11-5 by beating the Browns and Lions, and only one team with an 11-5 record -- the Broncos in 1985 -- has missed the playoffs since the NFL went to a 16-game season in 1978.
There's a mathematical chance of it happening this season.
If Pittsburgh sweeps, Jacksonville (10-4) splits its final two games against Houston (2-12) and Tennessee (4-10) and San Diego (9-5) beats Kansas City (8-6) and Denver (11-4), the Steelers, Jaguars and Charger would all be 11-5. Based on conference record, the Jaguars and Chargers would be in and the Steelers would be out.
"We have the next game, and that's the only game to focus on," Cowher said. "We know what's at stake and the only thing we can control is how we play."
Notes
Because of the short work week, Monday was the players' only day off. ... LT Marvel Smith (ankle), out for three weeks, will be upgraded to questionable. ... The Steelers are 7-0 against the NFC the last two seasons. ... Willie Parker needs 63 yards in the final two games to become the Steelers' first 1,000-yard rusher since Jerome Bettis in 2001.