Loss Here Would Be Unbearable

Their playoff hopes fading fast, the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers take on a division leader Sunday for the third week in a row.

The Chicago Bears, two games ahead of the resurgent Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, have won eight consecutive games after a 1-3 start and by winning at Pittsburgh could push the Steelers further out of the playoff picture -- as the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals did the last two weeks.

The Steelers, one victory from reaching the Super Bowl last winter after posting a league-best 15-1 record during the regular season, are 7-5 and two games behind the Bengals in the AFC North after losing their last three games.

One game out in the wild-card race, they’re trying to stay upbeat. Perhaps sensing their desperation, oddsmakers have made the Steelers six-point favorites.

“Confidence is a very fragile thing, and it certainly is something that has to start with your mental approach and your ability to respond and stay focused and not allow negative thoughts to enter into your own mind,” Steeler Coach Bill Cowher said this week.

“When you’re successful, it’s easier to expect success. All of a sudden it’s not there, it becomes more of a challenge.”

The Bears, meanwhile, have ridden their top-ranked defense to their longest winning streak since 1985, when they won 12 in a row en route to a 15-1 regular-season finish and their only Super Bowl championship.

“It’s hard to get wins,” said their coach, Lovie Smith. “But our team finds a way to win each week. It’s fun watching them play.”

Elsewhere:

Oakland (4-8), minus 3, at New York Jets (2-10), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- Seldom-utilized Marques Tuiasosopo will start at quarterback for the Raiders in place of Kerry Collins, whose erratic play has contributed to the Raiders’ 1-4 slide.

Houston (1-11), plus 7, at Tennessee (3-9), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- The Texans have squandered fourth-quarter leads three times during a five-game losing streak, losing their last two despite leading in the final 30 seconds of regulation.

New England (7-5), minus 3 1/2 , at Buffalo (4-8), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- A Patriot victory combined with a Miami Dolphin loss at San Diego later in the day would give the two-time defending Super Bowl champions their third consecutive AFC East title.

Cleveland (4-8), plus 12 1/2 , at Cincinnati (9-3), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- Only Peyton Manning has a higher quarterback rating than former Trojan Carson Palmer, who leads the NFL in completion rate (68.7%) and touchdown passes (26) and has helped the Bengals to their first winning record since 1990 and a probable AFC North title.

St. Louis (5-7), plus 7, at Minnesota (7-5), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- Unbeaten in five games since Daunte Culpepper was sidelined because of a knee injury and Brad Johnson replaced him, the Vikings are surprise contenders in the NFC North.

Indianapolis (12-0), minus 8, at Jacksonville (9-3), Sunday, 10 a.m., Channel 2 -- The Colts, who could become only the third team in NFL history to go 13-0, scored a season-low 10 points in a seven-point victory over the Jaguars on Sept. 18 but have since averaged more than 35 a game, winning by an average of nearly 20.

Tampa Bay (8-4), plus 5 1/2 , at Carolina (9-3), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- This is probably the Buccaneers’ last chance to catch the Panthers, who have won eight of nine, among them a 34-14 victory over the Buccaneers last month at Tampa.

San Francisco (2-10), plus 16, at Seattle (10-2), Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Winners of eight in a row, matching a club record, the Seahawks are on track to secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The 49ers? Reggie Bush is in their sights.

Washington (6-6), minus 4, at Arizona (4-8), Sunday, 1 p.m. -- The Redskins, 3-6 since a 3-0 start, are still hopeful of making a playoff run after ending a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 24-9 victory over the Rams.

N.Y. Giants (8-4), minus 9, at Philadelphia (5-7), Sunday, 1 p.m. -- A victory would keep the Giants ahead of the Cowboys in the NFC East and even their road record at 3-3 while mathematically ending the Eagles’ run of four consecutive division titles.

Kansas City (8-4), plus 3, at Dallas (7-5), Sunday, 1:15 p.m. -- The Chiefs have won four in a row to put pressure on the division-leading Broncos in the AFC West. The Cowboys have lost two in a row to fall out of a first-place tie in the NFC East.

Miami (5-7), plus 13 1/2 , at San Diego (8-4), Sunday, 1:15 p.m., Channel 2 -- A loss to the Dolphins, who have won consecutive games for the first time this season, would seriously threaten the Chargers’ playoff hopes. They’ve won six in a row but close the season with games against the Colts, Chiefs and Broncos, the first two on the road.

Baltimore (4-8), plus 14, at Denver (9-3), Sunday, 1:15 p.m. -- The Broncos, hanging onto a one-game lead over the Chiefs and Chargers in the AFC West, have won eight in a row at home. The Ravens have lost a club-record nine in a row on the road.

Detroit (4-8), plus 6, at Green Bay (2-10), Sunday, 5:30 p.m., ESPN -- If they were able to end a 13-game losing streak at Green Bay, the Lions would sweep the season series against their NFC North rivals for the first time since 1991.

New Orleans (3-9), plus 10 1/2 , at Atlanta (7-5), Monday, 6 p.m., Channel 7 -- This is the only gimme left for the Falcons, who have lost three of four and close the regular season with games against the Bears, Buccaneers and Panthers, two on the road.