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For Pittsburgh fans, drought's end not enough

It has been more than two decades since the Steelers won a Super Bowl. They rarely have come close and have failed to make the playoffs the past three seasons.

But now that they are finally in the playoffs, they have another issue to deal with: expectations.

Reaching the AFC championship game isn't going to cut it among success-starved Pittsburgh fans. After winning the AFC Central and locking up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, the Steelers know fans are expecting more. They're talking Super Bowl. Anything short apparently will be a huge disappointment in the Steel City.

"And that's how it should be," coach Bill Cowher said. "The pressure was getting here. There's no reason to be uptight. This is the reward for what we've gone through."

The Steelers, who should get star running back Jerome Bettis back from injury for the playoffs, are in perfect position to make a Super Bowl run. All their playoff games will be at home, where they were 7-1 during the regular season. And if history is any indication, their chances are good should they reach New Orleans. Pittsburgh won its first Super Bowl there in 1974.

If there is one concern, it's quarterback Kordell Stewart. He arguably had an MVP season, but his penchant for throwing interceptions may be creeping back. He has thrown six in Pittsburgh's past two games.

Still, the Steelers like their chances.

"We win two games here and we're in the big show," offensive tackle Wayne Gandy said.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW: The 49ers have the daunting task of trying to win in Green Bay, where the Packers have never lost a playoff game. That conditions are expected to be frigid (highs in the high 20s, lows in the teens) makes the job even more daunting.

49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia's response is this: Bring it on.

"I've played in it all," he said. "I've played in rain. I've played in minus-degree weather. It's always an adjustment, but I'll be ready."

HERE WE GO AGAIN: The Saints ought to be feeling a little light-headed from that sharp nosedive they took down the stretch, losing their last four and giving up an average of 40 points.

Perhaps most unsettling, they thought they had their quarterback situation worked out with Aaron Brooks as their starter. But Brooks didn't play well in those losses, throwing 13 interceptions, four in the finale.

He was pulled late in favor of former starter Jeff Blake, who figures again to battle Brooks for the starting job next season.

TAKING (MORE) SHOTS AT HOLMGREN: Not surprisingly, Seattle coach Mike Holmgren was hit with more criticism about his choice of quarterbacks after his team's win over Kansas City on Sunday.

Trent Dilfer was 4-0 this season as a starter, and regular starter Matt Hasselbeck was 5-7, prompting more speculation about how good the team could have been if Holmgren had made Dilfer the starter weeks ago.

"I am not going to answer "what if,' " said Holmgren, who could lose Dilfer to free agency in the offseason. "I told you I'm going to try to keep (Dilfer)."

SPEAKING OF DUMB DECISIONS: The Ravens have taken their share of heat for ditching Dilfer and signing Elvis Grbac. But what about running back Priest Holmes?

The Ravens let him get away through free agency, and all he did was win the league rushing title with the Chiefs with 1,555 yards.

Bet the Ravens wish they had him back, too.

DID YOU KNOW?: Giants quarterback Kerry Collins, who had three fumbles Sunday, might have set a record for single-season fumbles by a quarterback with 22, formerly held by the Redskins' Tony Banks.

However, Giants officials say the league is reviewing some of Collins' fumbles Sunday.

SHOW HIM SOME LOVE: Former South Florida standout Anthony Henry should get some consideration for defensive rookie of the year. The defensive back had one of the Browns' three interceptions Sunday against the Steelers, giving him 10 on the season. He helped the Browns set a club record for interceptions with 33.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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