Dec 29, 2002 By Jim Wexell For The 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Last night’s win by the Oakland Raiders has reduced the Pittsburgh Steelers to rooting for a small miracle today if they are to earn a first-round playoff bye by beating the visiting Baltimore Ravens. With a win today, the Steelers would also need the expansion Houston Texans (4-11) to defeat the Tennessee Titans (10-5) in order to clinch one of the two conference byes.

Anything’s possible, of course. It was the Texans, after all, who put the Steelers in this position with an upset win three weeks ago. But perhaps the Steelers should assume they’ll play next week in the first round of the playoffs and rest tailback Jerome Bettis, whose injured knee could use the time off.

Bettis, though, would rather play today against the Ravens.

“If I can play, I want to,” Bettis said after sitting out most of a short practice week. “If my body is up to it, I definitely want to play. You don’t want to just start sitting games out. That’s not a good idea. But physically if you can’t, you can’t.”

Bettis is nearing the end of the second-worst season of his illustrious 10-year career. On the heels of a groin injury that allowed him only 8 yards rushing in the final six games last season, Bettis has endured a variety of minor injuries this season that have forced him out of two games and most of two others.

Bettis has rushed for 666 yards on 187 carries (3.6 average) this season. And since returning to the starting lineup Nov. 24, he’s gained 334 yards on 100 carries (3.3) in five games. It’s obviously better than the five-game stretch with which he entered last year’s playoffs, and 20 yards better than the five-game stretch with which he entered the 1996 playoffs.

In both circumstances, Bettis participated in playoff football with significant injuries. With a sprained MCL this year, Bettis could enter these playoffs relatively healthy.

“Relatively healthy,” Bettis said, stressing the first word. “Of course time off would help, but it’s a fine line there between health and sharpness. You don’t lose much in a week, maybe, but we’ll see. If this was a regular week, it would probably be a little different, but because of the short week it’s harder for me to get out there and practice.”

Coach Bill Cowher didn’t make a determination prior to Saturday’s scheduled walk-through, keeping Bettis and inside linebacker James Farrior as questionable for today’s game, while upgrading quarterback Tommy Maddox and dime back Mike Logan to probable.

Because of a lack of depth, Farrior must play for the Steelers in the playoffs, and there isn’t too much concern about his sternum and shoulder injuries. Only a setback today would cost Farrior.

Maddox overcame his sprained ankle fairly easily and could use today’s game to remain as sharp as he was Monday night in Tampa.

Cornerback Chad Scott will miss today’s game with a broken hand, but expects to play in the playoffs.

That leaves Bettis, who must walk the fine line between health and staying sharp in a game that likely has little meaning. Then again, don’t tell Cowher today’s game has little meaning.

“Obviously you’d like to have the bye, but if you don’t it’s not going to be the worst thing in the world,” Cowher said. “We’ve got some guys banged up, so you have to be careful from that standpoint, but you’ve come this far, and at this time of year I don’t think getting an energy for this type of game will be a problem.”

Not with the dirty Ravens coming to town. The previous meeting is remembered for Ravens reserve James Trapp ripping off the helmet of Plaxico Burress and then stomping on the Steelers wide receiver’s chest. After the game, the Ravens were quoted in Pittsburgh papers as having little respect for the Steelers.

“Us and Baltimore have a history and we kind of don’t like each other,” said guard Alan Faneca. “I wouldn’t expect them to lie down because they’ve got their off-shot at the playoffs, too, and they really don’t like us either.”