The Falcons make their first regular-season appearance at Three Rivers Stadium since 1990 looking to end their losing ways in this lopsided interconference series.

The Steelers own a 10-1 advantage in the standings and have prevailed in the last eight meetings dating back to 1974, including a 20-17 triumph in 1996 at the Georgia Dome in the latest encounter between the clubs.

The Falcons are 0-4 lifetime at Three Rivers Stadium dating back to 1974, getting outscored a combined 111-43 in those four setbacks.

Numbers: The Falcons have recovered one opponent's fumble in six games in '99, this after leading the NFL with 25 opponent's fumble recoveries in '98. Atlanta owns a minus-11 turnover differential (5-16) in six games in '99, this after leading the NFL with a plus-20 turnover differential (44-24) in 16 games in '98. They have been outscored a combined 103-30 in the first half in 6 games in '99. The Falcons have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games and 5-of-6 contests in '99. Including playoffs, the Falcons have scored 489 points in 17 wins (28.8 PPG), but just 96 points in eight losses (12.0 PPG) dating back to '98.

The Steelers' defense has allowed just six offensive touchdowns in their first six games in '99, while their offense (1) and special teams (1) have allowed two touchdowns and given up two safeties. In their last 66 home games (1992-99), including eight playoff contests, the Steelers have rushed for 9,457 yards (143.3 YPG rushing), have 37 100-yard individual rushing performances (16 by RB Jerome Bettis, 15 by since-departed RB Barry Foster) and compiled a 50-16 record in those contests. Including playoffs, RB Jerome Bettis has rushed for 100 or more yards 40 times in his career (1993-99), 11 with the Rams (3-8) and 29 with the Steelers (22-7). Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Steelers are 25-4 when limiting the opposition to 17 or fewer points, 8-21 when giving up more than 17 points. After not committing a turnover in their first two games (2-0), the Steelers have committed eight turnovers in their last four games (1-3) in '99.

Things To Look For: Neither Dan Reeves nor Bill Cowher can be happy with what they've seen to date from their teams, although the latter may be seeing improvement from much-maligned QB Kordell Stewart, who still needs to take advantage of his special skills. The difference here figures to be a physical Steelers' defense, which should put the clamps on a injury-riddled and undermanned Atlanta offense.

Etc.: The Falcons are making their second of three Monday night appearances this season (0-1 in '99) and are just 5-16 lifetime on Monday Night Football, including just 1-8 on the road...Falcons have lost a record 9 straight games on Monday Night Football dating back to 1981 (outscored a combined 293-107 in those 9 contests), and have lost their last 5 games on Monday Night Football (dating back to 1992) by 17 points or more (outscored a combined 185-54 in those 5 contests).

The Steelers are 27-18 lifetime on Monday Night Football, including 16-5 at home. They are 12-4 on Monday Night Football under head coach Bill Cowher (7-0 at home).

This marks the third meetings between these teams on Monday Night Football, Steelers owning a 2-0 edge in those previous primetime battles (24-17 at Pittsburgh in 1974, 45-17 at the Georgia Dome in 1993)Including playoffs, Falcons are 22-12 with QB Chris Chandler as the starter while Falcons' backup quarterbacks are 2-5 dating back to '97.

Including Super Bowl XXXIII, the Falcons are just 9-17 vs. AFC teams dating back to 1993 (0-1 in '99). Falcons PK Morten Andersen has scored at least one point in an NFL-record 244 straight games.

Steelers RB Jerome Bettis has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of his eight Monday night appearances with the Steelers (1996-98), a record for Monday Night Football. The Steelers are just 13-20 vs. NFC teams (including Super Bowl XXX) dating back to '91. After opening 7-4 in '98, the Steelers are just 3-8 in their last 11 contests. They have lost four straight home games dating back to '98, their longest home losing streak since the 1969-70 seasons and the longest-ever in the history of Three Rivers Stadium