Parker, Big Ben Too Much For Houston

The Houston Texans lost a gamble, a challenge and, likely, their opener in the first five minutes of the season. Willie Parker and the Pittsburgh Steelers made certain the Texans didn't get a second chance in a 38-17 win that was effectively over early in the second quarter.

Parker ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns and a near-perfect Ben Roethlisberger threw two scoring passes to Hines Ward.

Pittsburgh's sixth consecutive season-opening win is the NFL's longest streak since Miami won 11 in a row from 1992-2002.

Roethlisberger missed on only one of 14 passing attempts until being lifted after three quarters. Ward made six catches for 76 yards and Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu made his first interception in nearly two years.

Houston quickly fell apart after Coach Gary Kubiak decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Steelers' 48 on the game's opening drive.

Quarterback Matt Schaub leaned into the line and appeared to have gained the needed yard, and one official signaled a first down. But the ball was inches short when measured and, despite Kubiak's protests to referee Terry McAulay that a first down had been called, the ruling was upheld upon replay after Houston challenged.

Houston03014-17Pittsburgh714143-38 First Quarter

Pit-Parker 7 run (Reed kick), 5:44.

Second Quarter

Pit-Parker 13 run (Reed kick), 11:00.

Pit-Ward 13 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 9:03.

Hou-FG K.Brown 34, 4:29.

Third Quarter

Pit-Parker 4 run (Reed kick), 9:10.

Pit-Ward 16 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick), 2:04.

Fourth Quarter

Hou-Walter 14 pass from Schaub (K.Brown kick), 9:00.

Pit-FG Reed 44, 5:24.

Hou-Schaub 4 run (K.Brown kick), 1:14.

A-64,001

HouPitFirst downs2021Total Net Yards234305Rushes-yards20-7539-183Passing159122Punt Returns2-51-(-3)Kickoff Returns6-1124-79Interceptions Ret.0-02-6Comp-Att-Int25-33-213-18-0Sacked-Yards Lost5-432-15Punts4-43.33-43.0Fumbles-Lost1-13-1Penalties-Yards5-434-41Time of Possession28:2931:31 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Houston, Slaton 13-43, Green 5-28, Schaub 2-4. Pittsburgh, Parker 25-138, Mendenhall 10-28, Roethlisberger 2-17, Leftwich 2-0.

PASSING-Houston, Schaub 25-33-2-202. Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger 13-14-0-137, Leftwich 0-4-0-0.

RECEIVING-Houston, A.Johnson 10-112, Green 4-3, Walter 3-41, Daniels 3-33, Slaton 3-6, Leach 1-5, Anderson 1-2. Pittsburgh, Ward 6-76, Miller 3-26, Holmes 2-19, C.Davis 1-10, Spaeth 1-6.