TIME TO REJUVENATE STEELERS.

Byline: NORMAN CHAD 

In 1989, the Pittsburgh Steelers embarrassingly lost their season opener to the Cleveland Browns 51-0 in Pittsburgh. And coach Chuck Noll managed to rally the team to a 9-7 record and playoff berth.

In 2000, the Pittsburgh Steelers embarrassingly lost their season opener to the Baltimore Ravens (nee Cleveland Browns) 16-0 in Pittsburgh. And coach Bill Cowher will manage to rally the team to a 9-7 record and playoff berth.

Well, at least The Man can dream.

Granted, the Steelers have lost eight of their last nine games and 16 of 22, but they are my choice as this season's Team of Destiny.

Of course, it would help if the Steelers scored at some point of September (for starters, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride might call in sick.)

Anyway, the Team of Destiny program, now in its fifth year, rescues forgotten, overlooked franchises and resurrects them for at least one season. While people have snickered annually at my selection, the program's success is undeniable: Carolina in 1996 (second-year expansion team that went to NFC title game), Tampa Bay in '97 (first winning season in 15 years) and Indianapolis in '99 (biggest turnaround in NFL history).

My only miss came with Tennessee in '98, a subject that is taboo in the fractured Chad household.

Anyway, I believe in these Steelers.

Ben Franklin looked at thunder and lightning and saw electricity. I look at Kordell Stewart and see thunder and lightning.

The key, indeed, is Stewart, who will resuscitate his flagging career. By Week 6, I expect he again will be the Steelers' starting quarterback; even if he's not, he will rejuvenate his flash-and-slash antics and push Pittsburgh into the postseason.

Now, if I happen to be wrong about all this, by season's end Cowher could be out of Pittsburgh, Stewart could be out of football and The Man could be out of handicapping (not to mention out of the country).

The Steelers' revival will be begin Sunday in Cleveland, where Pittsburgh is a two-point favorite. Take the Steelers.

(TV Note I: What's the deal with sideline savant Eric Dickerson on ``Monday Night Football?'' ABC's getting him 10 seconds a half, which is equivalent to eight carries a game. Give Eric the ball!)

(TV Note II: When I heard ESPN's Suzy Kolber use the term ``max protect'' in her Giants-Eagles pregame report last week, it made me feel, well, uncomfortable.)

As always, the following point-spread picks should not be used as the basis for any actual cash wager:

--Giants at Bears (-2): Oh, yeah, I forgot about New Jersey's thunder and lightning. If Giants go to 3-0, I'll be thinking more of hailstorms and locust. . . . Was that Jason Sehorn in the Giants' defensive backfield last week? Huh. I didn't know he played football. Good-looking kid, though. Pick: Bears.

--Broncos at Raiders (-3): For athlete's foot, Broncos LB Bill Romanowski recommends Antifungal Desenex Max Terbinafine Hydrochloride Cream. . . . After second late hit in as many weeks, Raiders DE Regan Upshaw was taken No. 1 overall in XFL draft. Pick: Broncos.

--Chargers at Chiefs (-4): I have one question for Chargers coach Mike Riley, in regards to a certain fourth-down play call in fourth quarter of Saints game: Exactly how many option passes has Robert Chancey completed in his life, including practice? Pick: Chiefs.

--Saints at Seahawks (-5 1/2): Before lecturing QB Jon Kitna this week, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, I hope, remembered the words of Samuel Johnson: ``A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.'' Pick: Seahawks.

--Cowboys at Redskins (-10): On paper, Redskins look like '67 Packers.Then again, on paper, Darva Conger looks like Marilyn Monroe. . . . Even ``Big Tobacco'' thinks Troy Aikman's comeback is unhealthy. Pick: Cowboys.

--Bengals at Jaguars (-12 1/2): As result of Bengals' new ``loyalty clause'' in player contracts, seven members of kick-return unit admitted ties to Communist Party in the 1950s. Pick: Bengals.

--Buccaneers (-3) at Lions: What's more unlikely - feminist icon Gloria Steinem getting married at age 66 or Lions going 3-0 without scoring offensive touchdown? Pick: Buccaneers.

--49ers at Rams (-16): Sometimes, 49ers QB Jeff Garcia appears to be playing rugby. . . . At current pace, Rams' Kurt Warner will be orbiting the Earth by Week 9. Pick: Rams.

--Vikings at Patriots (-2): In lieu of run-of-the-mill coach's show, Patriots have proposed ``The Bill Belichick Variety Hour'' to local Boston TV outlets. Pick: Vikings.

--Falcons at Panthers (-5 1/2): When Falcons QB Chris Chandler wakes up in the morning, he checks to make sure everything is where it's supposed to be. Pick: Panthers.

--Bills at Jets (-1 1/2): Biggest problem with new grass field at Giants Stadium: broken glass and bottle caps. Pick: Jets.

--Eagles at Packers (-3 1/2): Saying the Eagles might be a year or two away is like saying Cuba might be a year or two away. Pick: Packers.

--Ravens (-2) at Dolphins: Jay Fiedler's e-mail opens to sound of ``You've Got Zone-2 Coverage!'' Pick: Dolphins.

Last week: 6-9

Season record: 12-18