Three-and-out: Can Colt McCoy spark competition with Steelers?

A short lookahead to Week 14's Cleveland-Pittsburgh game:

It appears that the Steelers come with an excellent shot at the very top AFC playoff seed. Beginning tonight, they've two games playing the Browns, one using the Rams ... along with a tough Monday nighter in a few days at Bay Area. First the Browns, a team the Steelers have beaten 14 from 15, watering down a once-great competition. Obviously that certain Pittsburgh loss came 2 yrs ago, also on the Thursday evening once they were heavily preferred.

Player to look at -- Browns QB Colt McCoy: The National football league sophomore returns to Heinz Area, where he earned his professional debut this year coupled with a good showing with 281 passing yards, one TD and 2 INTs against that which was perhaps league's best defense. Now he's back lugging a sprained right knee and possibly a far more painful -7 record versus. AFC North teams. To date this season, McCoy has tossed for just two,524 yards, 14 TDs and nine INTs, but his completion rate (57.7%) and passer rating (76.9) are low. He does not make a lot of egregious mistakes, but neither does he push the ball downfield, ranking second-to-last league-wide with 5.9 yards per attempt. Whether that's an indictment of his game or even the Browns' devices is definitely an ongoing debate. However it does not diminish the truth that McCoy must play easier to cement his status because the team's No. 1 quarterback starting 2012. It will help he will not need to face Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), however Pittsburgh's defense is permitting 11 points per game in the last three days.

Game to look at -- Browns DT Phil Taylor versus. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey: This may be a battle within the starts that fans of those teams can also enjoy for many years as Pouncey, a Professional Bowler like a rookie this past year, will get his start looking at Taylor, an initial-round pick last spring who's exhibited dominance. Though Pittsburgh's offensive lines are frequently a target of critique, it might create lots of holes against a defense rated 31st from the run (151.2 ypg)