But let us count the ways: Nine straight Steelers victories, tied for the current longest streak in the NFL against one team. They also have won eight of the nine games they've played in the new Cleveland Stadium. Pittsburgh has won 15 of the past 16 games against the Browns, starting with the second game of the 2000 season.

Cleveland's record against everyone else last season was a nice 10-4 but the Browns' two losses to Pittsburgh cost them the tiebreaker and a spot in the playoffs to the Steelers last season.

On Sunday, the Steelers get to deliver an early knockout blow to the Browns.

"We are not interested in knockout blows and statements," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We live week-to-week and day-to-day at this point."

Perhaps, but if Pittsburgh wins, it leads the division at 2-0 with Cleveland 0-2 and having not only lost its first two games at home, but already behind the eight-ball in head-to-head against their rivals.

While they did not lose their quarterback, few teams laid a bigger egg than the Browns in their opener after many were picking them to win the AFC North. And few were as impressive as the Steelers.

Pittsburgh is relatively healthy and the Browns are not. Pittsburgh has momentum and the Browns do not. But Tomlin remembers how the Browns bounced back after the Steelers trounced them 34-7 in the opener in Cleveland last season. The following week, Cleveland posted 51 points in a victory against Cincinnati to win 10 of their next 15.

"Invariably, people get better between Week 1 and Week 2," Tomlin said. "We have evidence that they are capable of putting what happened in Week 1 behind them and then get better. We were fortunate enough to go there and beat those guys in their place in Week 1 of last year, and they came out and hung 51 points on Cincinnati in Week 2. I think that is all of the evidence that we need."

Pittsburgh, though, has owned Cleveland. During the nine-game winning streak, the Steelers have outrushed the Browns 174.7 yards to 64.8 per game. They also have held time of possession of more than eight minutes per game over the Browns.

The Steelers will be more than tempted to pass on the Browns Sunday. Cleveland already had severe problems in its secondary and now they've lost safety Sean Jones. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a nearly flawless opener, completing 13 of 14 passes against Houston with two touchdowns to Hines Ward. He was sacked twice by Mario Williams and has a sore right shoulder because of it, but he'll play.

"Any time you get up early, get a big win on a team it's awesome," Roethlisberger said. "We know it's not going to be easy. I am sure they are thinking the same thing we are. It would be nice to get an early win in the division."

SERIES HISTORY: 111th meeting. The series is tied, 55-55, and the Steelers have won two playoff games. Pittsburgh is 8-1 in Cleveland since the Browns' return in 1999. The Steelers have won nine straight in this series, 15 of 16, including a comeback 31-28 victory Nov. 11 in Heinz Field in their most recent game.