ATLANTA at PITTSBURGH

* The line: Pittsburgh by 5 1/2.

* Injury report: Falcons--DOUBTFUL: LB Keith Brooking (knee); S Johndale Carty (hamstring); LB Jessie Tuggle (quadriceps). PROBABLE: LB Henri Crockett (knee); DT Ed Jasper (knee); LB Whit Marshall (knee); T Ephraim Salaam (knee-ankle). Steelers--OUT: DE Nolan Harrison (pectoral), C Dermontti Dawson (hamstring). PROBABLE: WR Will Blackwell (hamstring); WR Courtney Hawkins (knee); LB Mike Vrabel (arm); WR Hines Ward (hamstring).

* Key elements: Falcon punter Dan Stryzinski has had only eight punts returned for an NFL-low 29 yards. Steelers’ red-zone defense tied for second in AFC (five touchdowns in 15 trips).

* Story line: The Steelers suddenly can’t win in Three Rivers Stadium, where Coach Bill Cowher was 45-9 until last November but is 0-4 since. The home losing streak is the Steelers’ longest since they played in Pitt Stadium in 1969. The Steeler starting offense has no touchdowns in two home games this season. “We have got to get back to reestablishing the way we can play football in this stadium,” Cowher said. “We have to reestablish ourselves in this stadium with our fans.” To do that, the Steelers must begin throwing downfield more effectively. Jerome Bettis had his first 100-yard game in a languid 17-3 victory last week at Cincinnati, but Kordell Stewart constantly missed open receivers while throwing for only 134 yards.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

Atl Pit Points scored 12.3 19.5 Points allowed 25.5 15.5 Passing O 225.0 167.7 Rushing O 72.7 121.0 Total O 297.7 288.7 Passing D 188.8 160.0 Rushing D 136.7 90.5 Total D 325.5 250.5

*--*

The pick: Pittsburgh.