PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a chance like this since they first played the Cleveland Browns 56 years ago.

Finally, the Steelers can get even with the Browns. Even if their relatively insignificant Thursday night game in early December lacks the importance that normally befits a Rust Belt rivalry that has been meaningful and colorful since its inception in 1950.

The Steelers have won five Super Bowls to the Browns' none. They've sent a roster full of players to the Pro Football Hall of Fame — located near Cleveland, coincidentally — over the last quarter century. They've dominated the Browns of late, winning 19 of the last 22 games.

But, since 1950, the Steelers (5-7) have never had a chance until now to catch the Browns (4-8) in the all-time series.

The Browns lead 55-54, mostly on the strength of winning the first eight games and 12 of the first 13. The Steelers, winners of the last six, have taken control by beating the Browns 20 times in 25 games since coach Bill Cowher took over in 1992.

"This is a different Cleveland Browns team than we played last year," Cowher said minutes after the Steelers' come-from-behind 24-20 victory in Cleveland last month.

Cowher was referring to the Browns team the Steelers beat 41-0 last December. But these also aren't the Browns that Pittsburgh played on Nov. 19, either, and that could be to the Steelers' advantage.

With only three off days between games, Browns quarterback Charlie Frye (wrist) may not be ready after injuring a wrist during a 31-28 overtime victory over Kansas City. Backup Derek Anderson led the comeback by throwing two touchdown passes in his first meaningful NFL playing time since being drafted from Oregon State in 2005.

However, Anderson has had scant time to prepare for the complicated Steelers blitzing schemes that so frustrated Tampa Bay rookie Bruce Gradkowski on Sunday. Gradkowski threw three interceptions, two of which led to Pittsburgh's only touchdowns in a 20-3 decision.

There's also this factor: The Browns haven't won successive games since Oct. 5-12, 2003, a span of 54 games.

"We know if we play well defensively, we're going to be tough to beat," Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel said.

The Browns may try to take the pressure off Anderson by getting running back Reuben Droughns going on Heinz Field's grass-thin and soon-to-be-frozen track, where gametime temperatures are expected to be in the low 20s. That could mean many carries for Droughns, who had 70 yards and a TD run against Kansas City.

However, the Steelers traditionally thrive at this time of year — since 2001, they are 21-5 in regular-season games played on Dec. 1 or later. And it was this week a year ago when they began the eight-game winning streak that carried them to their first Super Bowl title in 26 years.

While these Steelers must win three of their final four merely to avoid a losing season, Cowher wants his players adopting the same mind-set they had at this time a year ago. Then, Jerome Bettis ran through Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher on a snowy 5-yard TD run that carried the Steelers to a 21-9 victory, halting a three-game losing streak and beginning their drive to the playoffs.

"There's a lot of negativity out there because there are high expectations and we have not met those expectations," Cowher said. "The only thing we can do right now is control what we control."

Cowher also doesn't want them complaining about being without four injured starters, including the team's two most reliable players, wide receiver Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu. Both have injured knees and will sit out for a second straight game.

The pregame chatter between the two AFC North neighbors has been quieter than usual, possibly because of the short week of preparation.

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and Browns tight end Kellen Winslow had an extended pregame shouting match in Cleveland, but each was complimentary of the other this week.

"It's not about him and me, it's about our team against the Browns," Porter said.

"I love Joey Porter," Winslow said. "I like going versus guys like that. He's a great player and that makes the game fun."