Foote: Steelers will be dangerous in January

The linebacker thinks the team is playing better than last year at this time.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't done with December and aren't assured of being in the playoffs. That doesn't mean linebacker Larry Foote isn't ready to make this warning to the Colts, Patriots and Bengals:
You don't want to play the Steelers in January.
Foote cautioned the three AFC favorites that the Steelers (9-5) are peaking after limiting the Bears and Vikings to 12 points in the last two weeks, and they are in better position to make a Super Bowl run than they were while going 15-1 last season.
"We're a dangerous team," Foote said Wednesday. "We're kind of under the umbrella, and people ain't really talking about us. I like it like that. Hopefully, we can get our chance to get in the playoffs and do some damage."
A year ago, the Steelers were assured of going to the playoffs with weeks to go in the season and, at times, played like it. After beating the eventual Super Bowl finalists, the Patriots and Eagles, in successive games, they struggled down the stretch. Some of their winning scorers were 19-14 (Cincinnati), 16-7 (Washington), 17-6 (Jacksonville) and 20-7 (Baltimore).
Their 18-3 win Sunday over Minnesota was much like those late-season 2004 games, but Foote said the Steelers are playing much better now than they were in December a year ago.
Then, their late-season struggles on offense carried over to the playoffs, and they beat the Jets 20-17 in overtime only after Jets kicker Doug Brien missed two potential game-winning field goal attempts in the closing minutes.
Better feeling
"I've got a better feeling than last year," Foote said. "Last year we were struggling a little bit at the end, but this year we've got that sense of urgency, a back-against-the-wall approach. We've got fighters in this locker room, people that don't want to go home. We came so close last year, we're not used to going home early so we definitely want to finish it strong."
The Steelers probably must beat the Cleveland Browns (5-9) on Saturday and the Detroit Lions (4-10) on Jan. 1 to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. There are some improbable scenarios in which they could finish 11-5 and not make the postseason, but Foote isn't too worried about them.
"That's a little upsetting, but we put ourselves in that situation," he said. "It ain't a bad situation, but we put ourselves in that situation. We just cross our fingers and take care of the Browns this week, that's the most important thing."
Left guard Alan Faneca, chosen for his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl on Wednesday, agrees with Foote that the Steelers seem to be peaking at the right time, rather than at midseason as they did in 2004.
Downside
The downside to not winning a division title and being top-seeded in the AFC, as they were five times from 1994-2004, is the possibility that they might have to play and win three road games to make it to the Super Bowl.
Last season, the Steelers needed only to win twice at Heinz Field to go, and even then they lost the AC championship game to New England 41-27.
"When you've got it all wrapped up, you're looking a little bit ahead, even if you're not supposed to," Faneca said. "That's a luxury you earn throughout the season and we didn't earn that luxury this year. Every game is the last game to us, it really is; it's a tight race and every single game matters.
"That is a positive if it gets us moving in the right direction and we're playing more complete games and we're playing better, and I think it is," he said.
Notes
LT Marvel Smith, out for four of the last five games with ankle injuries, was upgraded to probable and will start Saturday against the Browns. ... QB Tommy Maddox stayed away from practice with flu-like symptoms. ... Two special teams players, Clint Kriewaldt (ankle) and Chidi Iwuoma (ankle), missed practice but are expected to play.