'The Bus' Can Still Handle Steeler Load

The Times' rating scale for this week's games:

**** -- Don't miss a down.

*** -- Could be good.

** -- Who let the dogs out?

* -- Stupor Bowl.

When it comes to running the football, a lot of NFL teams have double vision.

Chicago, Denver, Cleveland, Dallas and St. Louis are among the teams who have successfully leaned on two or more running backs to carry the load this season, either because of injuries or merely for a change of pace.

The latest back to step out of the shadows was Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis, who filled in for an injured Duce Staley and gained 149 yards in 33 carries to spark a victory over Philadelphia.

Bettis, 32, will be called on frequently Sunday when the Steelers play at Cleveland.

"My job as the relief pitcher and the backup," Bettis said, "is when he goes down, to go in there and not have a drop-off. They pay you to go out there and produce."

*** Baltimore (5-3) at New York Jets (6-2), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- The Jets haven't lost two in a row this season, and now's not the time to start. They're coming off a 22-17 loss to Buffalo and won't have quarterback Chad Pennington for two to four weeks while he heals from a shoulder injury. Expect them to keep the ball on the ground to take pressure off backup Quincy Carter. The Ravens want to run Jamal Lewis more too.

** Seattle (5-3) at St. Louis (4-4), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- The first time these teams met this season things got nasty. After the Rams won in overtime, receiver Isaac Bruce ripped off his helmet in celebration and threw it to the turf -- just in time for Seattle safety Ken Hamlin to kick it about 20 yards across the field.

** Tampa Bay (3-5) at Atlanta (6-2), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- Having bounced back from their 0-4 start, the Buccaneers are getting great play out of Brian Griese, who has had a passer rating higher than 100 in three of his four games. Michael Pittman ran for three touchdowns against Kansas City last Sunday. The Falcons, who rank third in rushing, are going for their second 7-2 start in franchise history.

**** Pittsburgh (7-1) at Cleveland (3-5), Sunday, 10 a.m. -- The Steelers, football's hottest team after consecutive victories over the previously undefeated Patriots and Eagles, will try to avoid a letdown against the Browns. This is the AFC's oldest rivalry, and it's usually a hard-fought one. Cleveland is 3-1 at home, where Jeff Garcia has thrown for seven touchdowns and run for two.