The Ravens head to Pittsburgh as the Steelers looks to sweep this short-lived rivalry for the third straight year.

Three months ago at PSINet Stadium (Week 2), Pittsburgh owned a 20-13 fourth-quarter lead when Ravens QB Stoney Case (replacing ineffective starter Scott Mitchell) threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to QR Qadry Ismail with 1:22 to play to tie the score at 20-all. But Steelers QB Kordell Stewart drove his team in the final minutes, and rookie PK Kris Brown's 36-yard field goal on the last play of the game gave Bill Cowher's club a 23-20 triumph.

The Steelers have now won five straight and own a 6-1 lifetime edge in this series. As for the Ravens' last appearance at Three Rivers Stadium (Week 7 of '98), Pittsburgh's defense limited Baltimore to 230 total yards, recorded seven sacks and forced five turnovers as Cowher's team eeked out an ugly 16-6 triumph.

The Ravens are 0-3 lifetime at Three Rivers Stadium dating back to 1996 and have been outscored a combined 84-23 in those three setbacks.

Numbers: The Ravens have scored 297 points in 11 wins, 209 points in 17 losses dating back to '98. They have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games. The Ravens have intercepted two or more passes in three straight games.

The Steelers' defense has allowed just 15 offensive touchdowns in 12 games in '99, while their offense (2) and special teams (1) have allowed 3 touchdowns and given up safeties safeties. Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Steelers are 27-6 when limiting the opposition to 17 or fewer points, 8-23 when giving up more than 17 points. The Steelers have totaled 32 takeaways in 12 wins while forcing just 19 turnovers in 16 losses dating back to '98. They have allowed just 127 points in 12 wins (15 or fewer points in 10 of those contests) while giving up 363 points in 16 losses dating back to '98. After not committing a turnover in their first two games (2-0), the Steelers have committed 15 turnovers in their last 10 games (3-7) in '99. They have totaled 17 sacks in five wins, 15 sacks in seven losses in '99. The Steelers have allowed 38 points in five wins, 149 points in seven losses in '99.

Things to look for: Suddenly, the Ravens' offense has caught up with its defense as Brian Billick's club comes off an impressive rout of the Titans, and it may be enough to salvage a non-losing season. On the other hand, there are no positives in the Steel City these days as Bill Cowher's team has slid badly in all facets and will be hard-pressed to get anything going against a revitalized Baltimore squad.

Etc.: Since entering the NFL in 1996, the Ravens are 10-22 vs. AFC Central rivals (4 of those wins vs. the Bengals) and 11-16-1 vs. the rest of the league.

The Steelers have lost four straight games. After opening 7-4 in '98, the Steelers are just 5-12 in their last 17 contests. The Steelers have lost four straight games vs. divisional competition. They are just 1-6 in their last seven home games dating back to '98. RB Jerome Bettis (8,163) needs 27 yards to move into 19th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list, surpassing Gerald Riggs (8,188) and Roger Craig (8,189).