By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

dlolley@observer-reporter.com

PITTSBURGH - There was a time when a game between the Steelers and Cowboys burned with the intensity of the red-hot blast furnaces of Pittsburgh.

But that was so long ago that most of the key players on the two teams today weren't even alive when the Doomsday Defense met the Steel Curtain in Super Bowls X and XIII in the 1970s, in what would be one of the most-heated rivalries in NFL history.

They also squared off in Super Bowl XXX following the 1995 season - a game won by Dallas. But the meetings since the '70s have been few and far between.

"It's tough for me to speak about the rivalry," said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was born in 1982, more than three years after Pittsburgh defeated Dallas, 35-31, in Super Bowl XIII.

"But it's here every day when you walk in and see the pictures from back then, when they used to play. You know how special it is from a team standpoint. But to us, it's just another huge game."

It's a huge game for both teams.

At 9-3, the Steelers lead the AFC North over the Ravens (8-4). The teams meet next weekend in Baltimore. The Steelers also have the second-best record in the AFC behind Tennessee (11-1), a team they face in two weeks.

Dallas, meanwhile, is 8-4 and in second place in the NFC East behind the New York Giants, whom they play next weekend. If the playoffs began today, the Cowboys would be on the outside looking in.

"Our backs have been up against the wall since I've come back," said Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. "I know that we're going to have a great sense of urgency this week and play our best."

The Cowboys are 3-0 since Romo returned from a broken pinkie on his throwing hand that forced him to miss three games. The Cowboys have scored 69 points in the two games since Romo's return. But those games were against San Francisco and Seattle at home.

This week the Cowboys' offense faces a Pittsburgh defense ranked first in the NFL in every meaningful statistic and has not allowed an opponent to gain 300 yards - two games short of the NFL record of 14 set by the Rams in 1973.

"They're a stifling defense and they've played against some good offensive teams and made them look bad," Dallas head coach Wade Phillips said.

The Steelers could say the same thing about the Dallas offense. Led by Romo, the Cowboys have an all-star cast, including wide receivers Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, tight end Jason Witten, running back Marion Barber and a massive offensive line.

Barber, however, is doubtful to play after suffering a dislocated toe Thanksgiving Day against Seattle.

The Cowboys have some weapons on defense as well, led by outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's sack leader with 15. Ware suffered a hyperextended knee on Thanksgiving but will likely play against the Steelers.

"Nothing against him, but I think that we have two of the best pass-rushers in the NFL and we have faced them quite frequently," said Roethlisberger, referring to teammates James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. "(Ware) is an unbelievable player. But you cannot single out one guy because their whole defense is unbelievable."

As much as the Steelers have to be concerned about Ware, the Cowboys will have the same respect for Harrison (14 sacks) and Woodley (11.5). They have combined for more sacks than any other duo in Pittsburgh history.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the Steelers and Cowboys met for a fourth time in the Super Bowl to conclude this season.

That is, of course, assuming both make the playoffs.

"They are 'America's Team' but I still think that we have more fans," said Roethlisberger. "It will be a five-star matchup as Coach (Tomlin) likes to say."

Odds and end zones

With 48 wins, Roethlisberger is tied with Otto Graham, Dan Marino and Tom Brady for the most by a quarterback in his first five seasons. ... Harrison needs one sack to tie Mike Merriweather's single-season team record set in 1984.

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