Ben Roethlisberger wasn't born yet when the Dallas-Pittsburgh rivalry thrived with two 1970s-era Super Bowl matchups.
Back then was when the Cowboys first gained the nickname of "America's Team," but the Steelers were America's champions.
The Steelers quarterback gains an appreciation each day for what those Doomsday Defense vs. Steel Curtain games meant, not only to the nearly two dozen Hall of Famers who played in them but the cities they represented.
Sunday's game in Pittsburgh may be the most significant during the regular season since disco was king and the quarterbacks were Roger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw, instead of Roethlisberger and Tony Romo.
The 9-3 Steelers could make the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years by winning, as long as the Patriots and Dolphins lose. Also, Mike Tomlin could become the first coach in the franchise's 76-year history to win at least 10 games in each of his first two seasons.
For the Cowboys, it's even more of a must-win game. They probably need to win three of their final four to reach the playoffs. With the Giants, Ravens and Eagles to follow on their schedule, there's not much margin for error.
Dallas will be challenged not only by a Pittsburgh defense that leads the league in every major category, but its own discouraging run of Decembers.
The Cowboys are 17-28 in December games dating to their last playoff victory 12 years ago.
