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Tuesday, December 18, 2001

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

LOOKING AHEAD

Steelers (11-2) vs. Lions (1-12), 1 p.m. Sunday, Heinz Field. TV, radio: WPGH, WWCP; WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970). Detroit hasn't won in Pittsburgh since 1955. The Steelers are 6-0-1 at home against the Lions since then.

NEWS & NOTES

Jerome Bettis missed a chance to perform on national television when he didn't play in the 26-21 victory against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday night. But that won't keep the Bus from performing on another big stage tonight when he appears on the "Late Show with David Letterman." Bettis will be the second guest on Letterman's show, along with actor Kevin Spacey. Bettis has missed the past two games with a hip/groin injury, the first time in his nine-year NFL career he has missed back-to-back games. But Coach Bill Cowher said after the Ravens' game that Bettis should be ready play Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field.

"I'd be surprised if he wasn't," Cowher said.

Ravens K Matt Stover had his NFL-record streak of 38 consecutive games with a field goal come to an end against the Steelers. Stover had a chance to extend the record in the second quarter, but he was wide left from 48 yards -- the only field goal he attempted against the Steelers. Opposing kickers have converted just 7 of 15 field-goal attempts against the Steelers, the worst percentage in the league (46.6).

K Kris Brown, who kicked two field goals and had a 32-yarder hit the right upright against the Ravens, has converted 15 of 19 field goals away from Heinz Field. At home, Brown is 12 of 20. Still, Brown is second to Denver's Jason Elam in scoring in the AFC with 104 points, the third consecutive season he has topped 100 points. He needs four points to eclipse his career high (107) of last year.

*The Steelers had two receivers with 100 yards against the Ravens -- Plaxico Burress (164) and Bobby Shaw (100) -- the first time that's happened since November, 1998. Courtney Hawkins and Charles Johnson did it against the Tennessee Oilers.

RB Amos Zereoue, who had 73 yards on 16 carries against the Ravens, did not return after reinjuring his sprained shoulder late in the fourth quarter. It is not known if Zereoue will be able to play against the Lions.

*WR Hines Ward, held to a season-low one catch for 7 yards against the Ravens, needs six catches to break Yancey Thigpen's season record for receptions (85). Ward dropped to fifth in the AFC with 80 catches. Meantime, Burress is tied for 19th in the AFC in pass receptions with 53. His 15.1-yard receiving average is third among the top 20 receivers.

*The Steelers remain No. 1 in the NFL in total defense (251.5 yards per game), rush defense (70.2) and rushing offense (174.2). ... CB Chad Scott, who had an interception against the Ravens, is tied for fourth in the AFC with five interceptions. ... LB Jason Gildon, who ended a three-game sack drought against the Ravens, is tied with teammate Joey Porter for eighth with 8.0 sacks. ... The Steelers, who did not have a turnover for the second game in a row, have turned the ball over just 13 times (8 fumbles, 5 interceptions), are tied with the New York Jets for fewest in the NFL. ... They also lead the league in average time of possession (34 minutes, 11 seconds). They remain last, however, in the AFC in average starting field position (26.) and last in the NFL in red-zone percentage (32.6).