1. Ben Roethlisberger.

Last year's slump is behind him, and the 6-foot-5, 241-pound Steelers quarterback is as elusive as ever. ‘‘He's way bigger than most quarterbacks, and he's a lot stronger than them,’’ Browns defensive end Robaire Smith said. ‘‘He's doing some of the things I've seen Steve McNair do as far as his escapability. You can't go in there and try to kill the guy; you have to get your hands on him and take him down.’’ Roethlisberger has been sacked 19 times, but his quarterback rating of 111.9 is second in the league behind Tom Brady's 131.8. The Miami University product has thrown 20 touchdown passes in eight games after totaling 17, 17 and 18 in each of his first three seasons. He's 35-13 (.729) as a starter, second best in the league among active quarterbacks (trailing Brady's 78-24, .765). Big Ben is coming off a career-high five touchdown passes against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night; all came in the first half. He suffered a bruised hip against the Ravens, so the Browns will try to pound him again.

2. James Harrison.

The Coventry High School and Kent State product had a career night Monday, recording nine tackles, 3ƒ sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Taking over this season at right outside linebacker for the departed Joey Porter, Harrison leads the Steelers in sacks (6ƒ), quarterback hurries (6), forced fumbles (3) and fumble recoveries (2) and is second in tackles (48, 41 solos). The undrafted free agent is having a breakout year in his fourth season. ‘‘We expected good things out of Harrison after Joey left,’’ Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. ‘‘He got cut a couple times, and he stuck with it. He's always been a very strong, athletic guy. Nobody knew he could play as good as he did (Monday), but now that he let the cat out of the bag, that's what we're going to be looking for every week.’’

3. Willie Parker.

The Browns haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in two consecutive games, but that's because the Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander and the St. Louis Rams' Steven Jackson departed with injuries. The league's 32nd-ranked defense is extremely vulnerable. Parker carried 27 times for 109 yards in the season opener, the third time in five meetings with the Browns that he has topped 100 yards. On Dec. 7, Parker rushed 32 times for 223 yards. ‘‘Parker is a home-run guy,’’ Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. ‘‘He's explosive, and he's got speed. He's a bounce-out runner.’’

4. Browns offensive line.

Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has been sacked only eight times this season, but the Steelers' league-leading defense notched six sacks in the opener, five of Charlie Frye. Right guard Seth McKinney suffered a shoulder injury against the Seahawks and probably will be replaced by Ryan Tucker, who hasn't played guard since 1998. Left guard Eric Steinbach suffered a back injury in practice Wednesday, but he said he intends to play. The Browns know what happens when their quarterback is on his back; Frye was dropped 18 times in his three starts against the Steelers (all losses).

5. Cheap shots.

Players on both sides have scores to settle, which could make for extracurricular activities. Farrior warned Browns tight end Kellen Winslow to have his head on a swivel after what Farrior thought was a cheap shot delivered by Winslow in December. Browns nickel back Daven Holly is upset over a late hit by Steelers receiver Hines Ward in September that left Holly with a concussion and cost Ward a $5,000 fine. ‘‘We're going to do anything within the lines of legalness to win this game,’’ Browns receiver Braylon Edwards said. ‘‘It's going to be a hard-hitting, physical, ugly, nasty, mean game, and we're ready for that.’’