Travis Kirschke

The fans that packed Heinz Field for the regular-season opener got a chance to say goodbye -- and to say thank you -- to three Steelers legends one final time.  

Willie Parker, looking spry as ever, helped the Steelers run over the Houston Texans Sunday, 38-17, at Heinz Field.  

What a way to start the season, a 38-17 beat down by the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the opening drive, Coach Gary Kubiak elected to go for a fourth and one in Steelers territory and after an official review, the Texans were short and the game was never the same for the Houston team. Steelers...  

PITTSBURGH - Gary Kubiak did what football fans always beg coaches to do: He went for it in a key short-yardage situation. The problem was the Houston Texans didn’t get it - and, just like that, their chances of beating the Pittsburgh Steelers all but evaporated. The Texans lost a gamble, a...  

Keith Srakocic AP Photo Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left, is pushed out of bounds by Houston Texans linebacker Zac Diles after running for the first down in the first half of an NFL ...  

Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker and Hines Ward spent the fourth quarter on the Steelers sideline, helmets off, casually watching replays on the scoreboard and their backups finish off an easier-than-easy ...  

GAME 1 HOUSTON TEXANS (0-0) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-0) HEINZ FIELD  *  PITTSBURGH, PA KICKOFF:  1:00 P.M. ET    TV: CBS / DIRECTV CH. 707    RADIO: SIRIUS CH 123 This is what we've all been waiting for. Time to put up or shut up. The season starts... now. Game comments here. HERE WE GO...  

Anthony Smith, the Pittsburgh Steelers safety who guaranteed a victory over the then-unbeaten New England Patriots last season, was unexpectedly placed on the inactive list for Sunday's season opener against the Houston Texans. Coach Mike Tomlin did not hint in advance that Smith would not play...  

Willie Parker ran for 138 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and Ben Roethlisberger threw for 137 yards and two scores as the Pittsburgh Steelers demolished the Houston Texans, 38-17, in the ...  

The Texans lost a gamble and, likely, their opener in the first five minutes of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers made certain the Texans didnt get a second chance in a 38-17 win that was effectively over early in the second quarter.  

Steelers receiver Nate Washington drops a pass against the Texans' Jacques Reeves yesterday at Heinz Field.  

Willie Parker ran for 138 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and Ben Roethlisberger threw for 137 yards and two scores as the Pittsburgh Steelers demolished the Houston Texans, 38-17, in the ...  

The Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest question mark entering the season provided an exclamation point in the opener on Sunday.  

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.  

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin celebrates a touchdown against the Texans yesterday at Heinz Field.