Pittsburgh ? The New York Jets didn’t sound like losers last month when they left Pittsburgh with a 17-6 loss, openly wishing for a postseason rematch and another chance to beat the team with the NFL’s best record.

The Steelers, reminded Tuesday of those confident comments by defensive end Shaun Ellis and running back Curtis Martin, seemed more amused than motivated.

Their reaction? Be careful what you wish for.

“Wow. He’s a fortune teller or something?” wide receiver Hines Ward said, referring to Ellis’ prediction the Jets would win this time. “We know they have a great ballclub. We won the first one, we know it wasn’t an easy win, but the playoffs are a totally different situation. It’s loser go home, there’s lot more at stake … and I’m going to turn it up a notch, too.”

The Jets’ loss, keyed by three Chad Pennington-thrown interceptions, started them on a late-season tailspin of three defeats in four games that nearly kept them out of the playoffs. If the Steelers hadn’t beaten Buffalo on Jan. 2, the Bills — not the Jets — would have advanced to the postseason.

Regardless, Ellis said Tuesday he stood by his oh-so-confident Dec. 12 postgame comments: “If we come back here, we’ll beat them. I honestly believe that with my heart. They are a great team, but if we come back here, I really think we’ll beat them.”

Ellis said his words merely reflected his confidence in the Jets, who upended the Chargers 20-17 last weekend to earn their return trip to Pittsburgh. The Steelers went 8-0 at home during the first 15-1 season in franchise history.

The teams meet again Saturday in Pittsburgh.

“I still believe that,” Ellis said. “We have to go there and show them, prove it. We have to just back it up. … We’re ready to play them, that’s all I can say. I honestly, truly believe that in my heart and I still believe it in my heart. My mind is not going to change.”

Steelers All-Pro linebacker James Farrior, a former Jets teammate of Ellis, wondered if Ellis’ mouth worked a little ahead of his mind.

“We heard it, but that’s just talk,” Farrior said. “I know Shaun’s a great player, but sometimes he lets his words get the best of him. He got what he wished for, so we’ll see what happens.”

Martin expressed disappointment after being limited to 72 yards on 24 carries in Pittsburgh and said he wanted a rematch in his hometown. Like Ellis, the former University of Pittsburgh standout has no regrets.

“We’re going in there expecting to win,” Martin said Tuesday. “There’s no doubts in our mind.”