Amid the playoff chase, two running backs, Kansas City's Priest Holmes and Baltimore's Jamal Lewis, go for milestones Sunday.
The Chiefs enter the regular-season finale against Chicago assured of the No. 2 seed in the AFC. If Buffalo beats New England on Saturday, it could be playing for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. If New England wins, it's playing for nothing except a little momentum and Holmes' place in history.
Holmes enters with 25 rushing touchdowns, tying the NFL record Emmitt Smith set in 1995. He's one away from the season touchdown record Marshall Faulk established in 2000.
No matter what else the Chiefs are attempting to accomplish, coach Dick Vermeil will be tempted to give Holmes every possible chance.
"First we've got to get down there," he said. "I think Priest Holmes has earned the right to break the record. I'd like for him to finish this season with an NFL record."
Meanwhile, to break the rushing yards record, Baltimore's Jamal Lewis must do something he has not done since joining the Ravens in 2000: a 100-yard game against the Steelers.
Lewis has 23 100-yard games, including his league-record 295 against Cleveland this season. None were against the Steelers, who have held him to an average of 59.6 yards in five games.
"That is something we want to prevent," Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen said. "We want to keep him off the field as much as possible.
"Because with Jamal Lewis chasing that record, they're probably going to give him the ball 40 times."
Even if the Browns upset the Bengals and the Ravens don't need a victory to win the AFC North, Ravens coach Brian Billick said Lewis will play.
Lewis needs 48 yards to become the fifth 2,000-yard rusher and 154 to break Eric Dickerson's 1984 record of 2,105. Lewis has been held to 48 yards or fewer in two of his previous five games against Pittsburgh.
One reason is the Ravens have rarely been in the lead, losing five in a row to the Steelers and six of seven.
Don't think the Steelers won't count every Lewis yard, even though they have little incentive for winning other than avoiding their second double-digit loss record in five seasons.
"Our defense really wants to go out and shut them down so he doesn't get the record against them," receiver Hines Ward said. "But it's going to be a challenge. Playing in Baltimore is tough, and their fans will be rallying behind them."
BRONCOS: Strong safety Kenoy Kennedy will appeal a $30,000 fine he received for a helmet-leading tackle Sunday against Indianapolis.
Kennedy was called for a personal foul when he lowered his helmet and hit Colts receiver Reggie Wayne on an overthrown ball.
