Week 14 NFL picks: Cowboys-Steelers a classic showdown (SportingNews.com)

Classic uniforms, in an old-school Super Bowl matchup of five-time Super Bowl-winning franchises.

Plenty of bad blood circulating around NFL (Yahoo! Sports)

From Bart Scott and Hines Ward to Joey Porter vs. everyone, there's a lot of animosity in the NFL.

Steelers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

It's been an inconsistent season for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, one season after his best statistically.

Yet he and his offense are in position to fire a booster to help their defense in a stretch run they hope will take them to a No. 2 seed in the AFC.

The final quarter of the season starts for them Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys come to Heinz Field to kick off a crucial three-game stretch. After the Cowboys, the Steelers play consecutive games at Baltimore and Tennessee.

Pittsburgh's offense ranks No. 24 overall in the NFL, compared to the defense's ranking of No. 1 across the board - total and vs. the run and the pass. Their 9-3 record was erected mainly on the backs of that defense.

But their offense has shown enough lately, along with some...

NFL Briefs (AP)

Ben Roethlisberger sat out the final 20 minutes of the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice Wednesday after his right leg slipped while he was throwing a pass. The problem is not believed to be serious, but backup quarterback Bryan Leftwich finished out practice as a precaution. Roethlisberger apparently slipped in some mud on the Steelers' outdoor practice field.

Steelers QB Roethlisberger leaves practice (PA SportsTicker)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left Wednesday's practice after tweaking his right knee.

Welker not upset with hard hit by Steelers safety (AP)

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker doesn't expect an apology from Ryan Clark for leveling him and said the Steelers safety made a good play Sunday. Clark said after Pittsburgh's 33-10 win he wanted to apologize but didn't see Welker after the game. "I don't really expect him to. It's a football play," New England's leading receiver said Wednesday.

Steelers run game finally picking up ground (AP)

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was a bit annoyed when asked about a slow-go running game that ranks 22nd in the NFL, right where all the teams that aren't going to the playoffs reside. Immediately above them: Seattle and Buffalo. Immediately below them: Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Diego and St.

Steelers finally running in the right direction? (Yahoo! Sports)

Will their surging ground game keep churning out yards in the upcoming weeks against better defenses?

Dallas places Watkins on IR to make room for Pacman (Yahoo! Sports)

The Dallas Cowboys placed safety Patrick Watkins on injured reserve for the rest of the season with a a neck...

Steelers rely on Moore as Parker’s knee improves (AP)

Even though running back Willie Parker continues to get closer to 100 percent, the Pittsburgh Steelers might still rely on two running backs. Parker has missed five games this season, been limited in others and is nursing a left knee injury. He was effective when he played during Sunday's 33-10 victory at New England, but also sat out long stretches of time as the team went with Mewelde Moore at...