Red-hot Steelers set for Ravens

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are making a habit of peaking in December, a much-desired trait for a team accustomed to playing deep into January.
What troubles them is that this season may be over by New Year's Day, all because they waited more than two months to begin to resemble the team that won its final eight games in the regular season and playoffs last season.
So, if opposing AFC North rivals Baltimore and Cincinnati the next two weeks are their equivalent of the postseason, the Steelers (7-7) want to perform like they did a season ago when they swept through the playoffs without playing once at Heinz Field.
"The way we're playing, we're as a hot a team as anybody out there," wide receiver Hines Ward said Wednesday. "It's unfortunate what happened early in the year, but there's nothing we can do about that. We can't turn back the clock. We have to continue playing, and what better way to redeem yourself than playing Baltimore?"
Started season 2-6
The Steelers, 2-6 during an unimaginably bad first half, are 5-1 since midseason. Their average margin of victory is 17 points over a span interrupted only by a dreadfully played 27-0 loss to division champion Baltimore last month.
Except for that game, they're playing much like they were a year ago, when they had to win their final four regular-season games merely to reach the playoffs and did exactly that. They've significantly reduced their turnovers, cranked up a running game in which Willie Parker has twice gained more than 200 yards and allowed only one touchdown in three games.
"If we can finish this season off, and some way get into it [the postseason], that's the best opportunity you want, to finish the season on a roll like we did last year," cornerback Bryant McAllister said.
Hello, January?
"It kind of is the same -- we're clicking on all cylinders, on special teams, on offense and the defense is doing some good things," McAllister said. "It's a very close call, and that's a positive thing, Last year, we did some incredible good things and hopefully we can do the same thing this year."
Still need lots of help
Of course, the Steelers must beat the Ravens (11-3) and Bengals (8-6), then hope another half-dozen or so teams lose their final two games. They're the longest of long shots to sneak into the playoffs, but they insist that it won't affect the way they play down the stretch.
"We know it's far-fetched, but at the same time, until they tell us we're out of it, we'll keep playing like we know how to play," linebacker Joey Porter said.
Porter was unhappy when it was suggested the Steelers are winning because they haven't played any quality opponents. Of their five victories since Nov. 12, only a 38-31 decision at home against New Orleans came against a club with a winning record.
"You say we haven't played anybody? We did all of that for nothing? Then I'm finished," Porter said.
Slight hope
The surprise is that a Steelers season that looked finished in mid-October still hasn't played itself out.
"I hope we're peaking, but we've got to win these last two before we say anything," Parker said.
Meanwhile, the Steelers placed linebacker Chad Brown (knee) and defensive back Chidi Iwuoma (wrist) on the injured reserve list and signed safety Andre Lott, cut by San Diego last month, and cornerback Jovon Johnson from their practice squad.
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