PITTSBURGH — The Cleveland Browns don't have any chance to make the NFL playoffs. Haven't had for weeks. That doesn't mean they don't have any incentive for Saturday's game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

They effectively could put Pittsburgh (9-5) out of the playoffs, and the Steelers know how much the Browns (5-9) would enjoy that — just as they would if they were in a similar situation.

The Steelers returned to practice Tuesday after only one day off following their 18-3 victory Sunday at Minnesota, and the theme was obvious: Beware the Browns.

"I'm sure Cleveland is going to be looking to knock us out of the playoffs," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "It's a playoff run from here on out. We have to play on the road, and what better way to get that experience than to go out and approach each game like it is your last game?"

Linebacker James Farrior has seen a turnaround in the Steelers' attitude since they put their playoff chances at risk by losing to the Ravens, Colts and Bengals in succession.

Since then, they've beaten two teams on long winning streaks, the Bears (10-4, eight in a row) and the Vikings (8-6, six in a row), and they now have two losing-record teams remaining in the Browns and Detroit Lions (4-10).

"Without the margin of error, it seems to be bringing out the best in the team," Farrior said. "We have to win games and play mistake-free football. We take it as a challenge and we look forward to it."

Even if a trip to Cleveland has rarely been a worry-free visit to the Steelers.

The Browns are 1-2 with rookie Charlie Frye at quarterback, but they have been competitive in all three games, beating the Raiders 9-7 on the road Sunday after losing at AFC North champion Cincinnati 23-20 and to Jacksonville 20-14 at home.

Frye has seemed to earn his teammates' respect with his toughness, taking a hard hit to the ribs from linebacker Danny Clark on Sunday but coming right back to hit Antonio Bryant on a 33-yard completion.

"We can't have any letdown," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "(Reuben) Droughns has over 1,000 yards rushing. Frye has made some big plays running around. This is going to be a big challenge for us on the road. They'd like nothing more to end our season."

Especially Frye, a third-round draft pick from Akron who grew up in Willard, Ohio, as an avowed Steelers hater. He is 56-for-88 for 620 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions, with most of his playing time coming since he replaced Trent Dilfer three games ago.

"They've got a lot of football players who are trying to build something," Cowher said. "I don't think there's any question they're making strides in the right direction."

Enough to beat the Steelers, who can finish 11-5 by beating the Browns and Lions? That might depend on a Steelers offense that has produced only 38 points in its last three road games.

A week after controlling the clock and the tempo with their running game in a bad-weather 21-9 victory over the Bears, the Steelers managed only one touchdown while playing indoors Sunday in Minneapolis. They could find themselves in trouble if they play similarly against the Browns, who have allowed the fourth fewest passing yards in the NFL but are sixth from the bottom in rushing yards allowed.

"We settled for three field goals in the four times down there," Cowher said of the Steelers' four drives inside the Vikings' 20. "It's something we can improve on and something we need to improve on."

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had problems throwing deep Sunday, partly because his hand was sweating inside the glove he is wearing to protect his injured right thumb. That shouldn't be a problem Saturday, when the gametime temperature is expected to be in the high 30s.