Steelers look to derail the Patriots

A legend recovers in Green Bay, a Dallas linebacker looks to settle a score and another change is afoot in Philadelphia.

Ten things to watch heading into Week 14 in the NFL:

Steelers vs. Stealers

1. Pittsburgh, the team perhaps most critical of New England after the “Spygate� scandal, now has a chance to spoil the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season. Bill Belichick’s team suddenly looks vulnerable after oh-so-close calls against Philadelphia and Baltimore. And it was the Steelers, remember, who ended New England’s 21-game winning streak in 2004. But that game was played in Pittsburgh. This one is in Foxborough. Big difference.

Secondary concern

2. Now we’ll see what the Steelers learned from the Eagles and Ravens about how to play New England. Both teams pressured Tom Brady like crazy, which is something the Steelers need to do. What they don’t want is Brady getting all day to find his terrifying trio of receivers, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte’ Stallworth. Even though the Steelers have the league’s top-ranked defense, their corners are pretty average.

Welcome back

3. It looks as if Donovan McNabb is ready to return in Philadelphia, and not a moment too soon for Eagles fans. A.J. Feeley, who nearly orchestrated a stunner against the Patriots, fell to earth on Sunday in a loss to Seattle. He’s had seven interceptions in the last two games, one more than the maligned McNabb had all season. But both Eagles quarterbacks can be thankful for one thing Sunday when their team squares off against the New York Giants: They’re not under as much pressure as the struggling Eli Manning.

Streaking in Green Bay

4. Sure he got a severe right elbow bruise and left shoulder separation in the loss to Dallas, but that won’t stop Brett Favre. Every indication is he’ll start Sunday against Oakland at Lambeau Field, extending his NFL record to 270 consecutive starts. He probably won’t practice until the end of this week, though, giving him time to get strength and feeling back into his hand.

Decembers of discontent

5. The Cowboys want to finish strong as they head into the postseason, and beating Green Bay was a great way to start. Dallas hasn’t had a winning record from December on since 1996. In each of the last three seasons, they’ve lost three of their last five games. They play Detroit on Sunday, then finish at Carolina and Washington.

Fightin’ words

6. The Cowboys game at Detroit is a rematch of a 2006 finale, when the Lions pulled off a 39-31 upset. Detroit’s Jon Kitna threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns in that game, and later blasted Bradie James, saying of the Cowboys linebacker: “ . . . I don’t know that he knew where he was at.� An offended James remembers that slight, and -- trust this -- will have a keen idea where Kitna is at all times.

Intermittent reign

7. Seattle squeaked out a victory at Philadelphia and has won four games in a row, building a two-game lead in the NFC West. But the Seahawks don’t have a lock on that division. On Sunday, they play host to Arizona, a team that beat them in September with Matt Leinart at quarterback. With the way Kurt Warner and Edgerrin James played in the Cardinals’ victory over Cleveland, the West could get wild before it’s decided.

New ground

8. Now that they’ve won two in a row, can the San Diego Chargers keep it rolling? They travel to Nashville for the first time to face Tennessee, which they pounded last season, 40-7. But these Titans are better and are still in the thick of the wild-card race. Know this: The Chargers won’t get to Vince Young as easily as they got to Kansas City’s Damon Huard on Sunday.

Still kicking

9. Reports of the Colts’ demise -- including in this space -- were greatly exaggerated. Despite a slew of injuries that would cripple most teams, Indianapolis has done an amazing job of staying afloat and relevant. Since losing at San Diego, the Colts have won three games in a row and are in firm control of the AFC South. On Sunday night, they return to Baltimore, where they beat the Ravens, 15-6, in a divisional playoff game. This one probably won’t be as close.

Sad story

10. The Redskins and Bears meet Thursday night, each four days removed from disheartening losses. Both teams are playing for pride now, as their playoff hopes are all but extinguished. At least four Bears traveled to Sean Taylor’s funeral Monday and, in a heartbreaking coincidence, it’s the slain safety’s picture that appears on the Chicago tickets this week as the featured visiting player.

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