PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers would prefer to get their half-dozen injured regulars fully healthy for the playoffs. The NFL schedule might not let them.

The Steelers (13-1) are on a franchise-record 12-game winning streak and clinched the AFC North two games ago. In most seasons, they would be wrapping up home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by now. But this isn't like most seasons.

With the Patriots also in contention for home-field advantage (12-2 after Monday's 29-28 loss to Miami), and the Indianapolis Colts (11-3) and San Diego Chargers (11-3) right behind, the Steelers still haven't clinched even a first-round bye.

And Pittsburgh's remaining two games - against the Ravens (8-6) Sunday and at the Bills (8-6) Jan. 2 - are anything but guaranteed victories, as both those teams are still in contention for the playoffs.

"We're playing a football team (Baltimore) that's fighting for that last playoff spot," Cowher said Monday, two days after the Steelers edged the New York Giants 33-30. "This is a divisional game and there certainly are a lot of playoff implications surrounding this game."

So, even with a five-game lead in their division and only two games to play, the Steelers could need their injured starters back before the postseason just to avoid having to play an extra playoff game.

"There are too many implications," Cowher said. "This is a very important game and we're going to approach it with that in mind. The way the AFC is right now, there is no margin for error. We need everybody we can get. If guys can go, they're going to go."

The Steelers will get the wild-card weekend off if they win again, as neither the Colts nor the Chargers can get to 14 victories. To Cowher, having that weekend off is even more important than possibly playing host to the AFC Championship game, should the Steelers get that far.

"We have to win this game to assure ourselves of a bye - and, right now, that's the only thing that matters," Cowher said. "All the other things are immaterial."

Only linebackers Kendrell Bell (groin) and Clark Haggans (groin) are listed as out, with cornerback Chad Scott (knee), wide receiver Plaxico Burress (hamstring) and running back Duce Staley (hamstring) questionable.

"Really all three of the guys who are questionable, I'm more encouraged than discouraged," Cowher said. "But then again it's Monday, and we'll see where they are when we start working."

Scott hasn't played since Oct. 17 in Dallas and, even if he is ready, won't start. But Cowher badly wants to get Scott, Burress and Staley on the field again to sharpen their timing. Burress has missed four consecutive games and most of a fifth, while Staley has played only twice in seven weeks.

"It's hard to simulate the speed in practice that takes place in a game," Cowher said.

Jerome Bettis has rushed for at least 100 yards in all five starts with Staley out but, should he go down, the Steelers would be left with only No. 3 running back Verron Haynes.

Of the Steelers' other two injured regulars - six missed the Giants game - nose tackle Casey Hampton will miss the rest of the season and Bell probably has only an outside chance of being ready next month. Larry Foote has started every game in his place so far.

The Steelers have managed to keep winning even without so many key regulars, but danger signs are emerging.

On defense, they haven't had a sack in two weeks after leading the league with 36 sacks through 12 games. On offense, rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had his first 300-yard game Saturday, but was forced to shoulder much more of the offense than the Steelers would prefer to put on him only 13 starts into his career.

"We've got that bull's-eye on our chest, so I think we're getting the best efforts from teams," Cowher said. "I don't think this week will be any different."