HOUSTON - The Houston Texans knew they would have to worry about Big Ben Roethlisberger when the Steelers came to town. Now they'll have to deal with Fast Willie Parker, too.

While Roethlisberger had a mistake-free outing in a 34-7 win over Tennessee to improve his regular season record to 14-0 as an NFL starter, Parker emerged as the star in his first career start for the Steelers (1-0).

When Texans coach Dom Capers watched the tape he wanted to know "where in the heck did this guy come from?" For the record, the second-year running back, who had 209 yards of offense and a touchdown against the Titans, came from the University of North Carolina and started because of injuries to Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley.

"He was very impressive," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "Willie gives you the element the other guys don't have, the speed factor."

Bettis (calf) is doubtful and Staley (knee) is questionable against Houston, but Cowher said Parker will start this week even if they are healthy.

With the emergence of Parker, Houston (0-1) will have to deal with a strong, young quarterback and a speedy running back for consecutive weeks after facing Buffalo's J.P. Losman and Willis McGahee in their 22-7 opening loss.

The five turnover and five-sack game was not how the Texans planned to start the season. Houston gained just 120 yards and star receiver Andre Johnson was limited to 18 yards on three catches against the league's second-best defense in 2004.

Now Houston has to face last season's best defense.

"We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball," Capers said. "We know the Steelers do a great job of it and they do not turn it over much. We cannot turn it over."

Both teams know about the importance of winning the turnover battle. If anyone forgets all they have to do is look back to the teams' only other regular-season meeting, a bizarre 24-6 win by Houston in the Texans' first season.

Houston had just 47 yards to 422 by the Steelers, but scored three defensive touchdowns on Tommy Maddox's turnovers for the win.

Although Johnson was a non-factor against Buffalo, Cowher knows not to underestimate the third-year player.

"We had an opportunity to coach him in the Pro Bowl and that's a special player," Cowher said. "Andre Johnson has turned into one of the better receivers in the National Football League."

But if Carr can't get the protection he needs and Houston doesn't develop another legitimate receiving threat, Johnson might not be able to showcase his talent. After talking all offseason about better protecting the quarterback, the offensive linemen know they'll have to do a better job of keeping Carr upright.

"We will remember it because we don't want that feeling this week that we had last week," tackle Victor Riley said. "I got to try to get better every week."

A week after dealing with a Buffalo defense that made Carr say he felt helpless, he'll have to face the blitzing Pittsburgh defense led by Pro Bowl linebackers James Farrior and Joey Porter.

"You got to make them pay when they do blitz," Carr said. "You got to go after them. If they do blitz and they want to be aggressive, then we've got to be aggressive, too."

Roethlisberger doesn't have the problems Carr does and calls his offensive line "the best in the game." He also feels better on the field with a year of experience and showed it with a perfect 158.3 passer rating against the Titans.

"It feels a lot more comfortable," he said. "Going out there and knowing a little bit better about what I'm doing, what's happening on the other side on defense, and being able to make plays. It helps to have a great offensive line and defense so you don't have to throw the ball as much and just execute the game plan."