First to the Steelers, who have collapsed again in defending their Super Bowl title. In 2006, they started 2-6 and then rallied down the stretch to win six of their last eight, including an overtime 27-21 victory at Paul Brown Stadium over the Bengals in Bill Cowher's finale to knock the Bengals out of the playoffs.

This year they started 6-2 and have gone on a five-game losing streak. Folks in Pittsburgh are already bringing up the possibility of the Steelers dropping their last three games to the Packers, Ravens and Dolphins, which would have them end the season with their longest losing streak since 1969.

It is safe to say that this was not what Mike Tomlin had in mind when he said he would "unleash hell in December."

When someone asked Tomlin if he still felt this was a playoff team (yes, they're still mathematically in contention for a wild-card spot), the third-year coach said: "Man, we haven't won a game in five weeks. We are just trying to win a Football game."

The Browns, who ended a 12-game losing streak to the Steelers, could be sitting in a position similar to the Bengals last year. Their last three games are at Kansas City and then home to the Raiders and Jaguars. A 5-11 or 4-12 finish would give Mangini some proof that the finish has them on the right track.

STAFFORD UPDATE:

After Matthew Stafford aggravated his left shoulder injury in last Sunday's loss to the Bengals , Daunte Culpepper will get the start today as the Lions visit the Ravens. Stafford missed two games earlier in the season with a right knee injury.

BACK HOLDING: For the first time since his fumbled snap in the 2005 wild-card game, Tony Romo will be the holder on extra points and field goals for Dallas today.