Heinz Field doesn't look very hospitable now that November has yielded to December, leaving the midsection of the playing field barren of grass and as rough and tumble as a North Side alleyway. To the Pittsburgh Steelers (news), though, there would be no prettier sight than an AFC championship game on that mostly grass-free field.

The Steelers (11-1) will clinch the AFC North with one more victory or one more loss by the Baltimore Ravens (7-4) — seemingly, a formality with four weeks remaining. But once that happens, it might get only harder for the Steelers, not easier.

Unlike past seasons such as 2001, 1997, 1996 and 1995, when the Steelers' playoff scenario was effectively known before their final regular-season game, the race for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs might not be decided until the final weekend.

So, unless the Steelers want to cede the home-field edge they currently hold over New England after beating the Patriots 34-20 on Oct. 31, they might need to keep winning — even though they've won their last 10. No Steelers team has ever lost fewer than two games, not even the 1975 (12-2) and 1978 (14-2) teams that each won a Super Bowl.

If the Patriots keep winning, it also might prevent coach Bill Cowher from resting some of his regulars in situations he may prefer to do so.

That's why Sunday's game against the New York Jets (9-3) at Heinz Field — where about the only green visible may be on the Jets' uniforms — might be even more important to the Steelers than New York, which leads the AFC wild-card race by two games.

"I think history has proven that it (home-field advantage) is certainly the highest percentage way of getting to a championship game and the Super Bowl," coach Bill Cowher said. "There is no question that you want to play at home. It is big. There is no question that you can feed off the crowd and it can be a decided edge for your defense."

The home team has won 11 of the last 17 AFC championship games, though the visitor won each time during a three-season stretch from 1999-01. The Steelers figure in half of those six home-field losses, dropping three of four AFC title games played in Pittsburgh under Cowher — to New England in the 2001 season, to Denver in the 1997 season and San Diego in the 1994 season.

But the Steelers are even worse — 0-3 — in road playoff games under Cowher, losing at Tennessee during the 2002 season, to New England during the 1996 season, and in Kansas City in the 1993 season.

The Steelers' last road playoff victory came 15 years ago, when they upset Houston 26-23 on Dec. 31, 1989, for Chuck Noll's 16th and last playoff victory as Pittsburgh's coach. Since then, the Steelers are 0-4 in road playoff games.

The Steelers appear to have a tougher remaining schedule than New England. Pittsburgh still must play the Jets (9-3), at the Giants (5-7), the Ravens (7-5) and at the Bills (6-6), while the Patriots play the Bengals (6-6), at the Dolphins (2-10), at the Jets and the 49ers (1-11).

Asked if he is worried the Patriots might go 15-1, a record the Steelers have never achieved in their history, Cowher said, "We are looking at the New York Jets."

Cowher apparently passed that same message to his players.

When asked if the Steelers feel the urgency to keep winning and maintain their edge over New England, safety Troy Polamalu said, "We're just looking at this game, playing this game and, hopefully, coming out with a win."