When Steelers have the ball: If the team would like to start correcting some of the problems in the running game, now is the time. Willie Parker has just 101 yards on 44 carries in his past three games, which is 4 yards fewer than he had in the first meeting vs. the Browns. One of the biggest reasons for the Browns' poor defense, which ranks 29th against the run, 13th against the pass, is their horrid tackling, particularly their cornerbacks, Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright. The Browns, however, have 22 interceptions, second most in the AFC, led by McDonald (5). NT Shaun Rogers was deserving of a Pro Bowl bid, but his addition in the offseason did not make the defense better.

When Browns have the ball: The Browns have not scored an offensive touchdown since the first quarter of a Nov. 17 game in Buffalo -- a span of 23 quarters -- and have managed just 31 points the past five games. They are on to their fourth QB, Bruce Gradkowski, and also have been playing withouttight ends Kellen Winslow Jr. andSteve Heiden. WR Braylon Edwards leads the team with 54 catches and 872 yards, but is good for several drops a game and takes off too many plays. The collapse of the passing game has led to failures in the running game, even though Jamal Lewis has started all 15 games and leads the team with 908 yards on 256 carries. LT Joe Thomas, a No. 1 pick last year, is headed to the Pro Bowl, but the Browns have been without RG Ryan Tucker for every game but one because of injuries and C Hank Fraley has been struggling.

KEEP AN EYE ON ...

KR
DATA

Game: Steelers (11-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-11).

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Heinz Field.

TV: KDKA.

Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970) and Steelers Radio Network.

INTANGIBLES

One of the reasons coach Mike Tomlin wants to play his regulars and win the game is because the Steelers have a chance to finish with an unbeaten record in the division, something they haven't managed since 2002. The Steelers also are tied with three other teams for the best conference record (9-2) in the league and have won the past 10 meetings with Cleveland. Browns coach Romeo Crennel is the only coach in franchise history never to beat the Steelers (0-7).

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, the Browns must ...

1 Not be so offensive. New England scored as many points in the first half vs. Arizona last week as the Browns have in the past 20 quarters. 2 Not let Hines shine. Ward comes off consecutive 100-yard games and needs 27 for his fourth 1,000-yard season.

3 Have dibs on Cribbs. Kick returns and interception returns appear to be the only way the Browns can muster some points.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1 Turn loose on Bruce. Gradkowski makes first Browns start vs. a defense that should be honked after allowing a bunch of season-highs in Tennessee.

2 Get' em all on Jamal. Anybody noticing a few cracks in the run defense after three teams have rushed for more than 100 yards in past four games?

3 Have Wright guess wrong. Roethlisberger has not backed off attacking in the secondary, throwing three TD passes to Santonio Holmes in past four games.