Detroit (5-10) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers already could have secured the AFC's final wild-card berth before they take the field for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Looking to make the playoffs for the 10th time in 14 seasons under coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers can clinch a postseason berth if San Diego beats Denver on Saturday.

If Denver beats San Diego, then Pittsburgh will need a victory or a loss by Kansas City, which hosts Cincinnati, to make the playoffs as a wild card.

The Steelers' latest playoff berth would be a sweet one since they played four games this season without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. They went 2-2 in those contests.

Cowher has the Steelers rolling at the right time. Pittsburgh has won three straight games, outscoring its opponents by a lopsided 80-12 margin.

Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter registered three sacks and forced a fumble in the Steelers' 41-0 victory at Cleveland last week.

Against the Browns, Roethlisberger completed 13-of-20 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown. Willie Parker also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark by rushing for 130 yards and a score.

It has been another disappointing campaign for the Lions, who already have secured their fifth straight losing season.

The difficult season for the Lions featured the firing of coach Steve Mariucci on November 28. Detroit is 1-3 under interim coach Dick Jauron.

Jauron got his victory in last week's 13-12 triumph over the New Orleans Saints. Back as the starter at quarterback, Joey Harrington completed 17-of-30 passes for 201 yards with an interception.

Matchup to watch: Steelers Pro Bowl center and former Lion Jeff Hartings against former Steelers middle linebacker Earl Holmes.

Series: Detroit leads, 14-12-1.

Next week: Pittsburgh may play in the wild-card round, January 7 or 8 at either Cincinnati or New England.