When the Steelers have the ball: RB Willie Parker is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, but he is also coming off a fractured fibula. He will get some help this season from rookie No. 1 Rashard Mendenhall, who might see his playing time limited because of three fumbles in the preseason. G Chris Kemoeatu, who replaces Alan Faneca, has actually been one of the standouts in training camp. It will be his job on some counter plays to take out Pro Bowl MLB DeMeco Ryans. The loss of CB Dunta Robinson, who is on the physically unable to perform list, will help QB Ben Roethlisberger attack the secondary.

When the Texans have the ball: QB Matt Schaub enters his second season as the starter and he welcomes back two key starters who missed a lot of 2007 with injuries -- former Pro Bowl RB Ahman Green and WR Andre Johnson, who had 851 receiving yards and eight TDs despite missing the final seven games. Schaub started only 11 games because of injuries, but he completed 66.4 percent of his passes (192 of 289) for 2,241 yards and nine TDs. Johnson will stretch the secondary and force FS Ryan Clark to protect the deep middle. Rookie No. 1 Duane Brown will start at left tackle and his first assignment is Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison.

Steelers defense: One of the reasons for the late-season collapse of the Steelers defense was the unit's inability to force mistakes and get off the field on third down. There has been an increased emphasis to change that trend this season after the Steelers managed a league-low 11 interceptions in '07. The Texans, meantime, want to reduce the number of giveaways this season after committing at least one turnover in every game last season. The offense did not have a turnover in the preseason.

The Steelers have the league's toughest schedule, with eight playoff teams and three of the four finalists for the Super Bowl, but they don't face an '07 playoff team until Week 5 in Jacksonville. So it is imperative they get off to a good start. The opposite is true for the Texans, who face '07 playoff teams in four of their first five games. The Steelers have won their past five season openers.

To win, the Texans must ...

1. Not let Schaub be mobbed. He is an efficient passer who will be getting his first look at a Dick LeBeau defense.

2. Be fine with the line. With three No. 1 picks on the D-line, the Texans need to pressure Roethlisberger to protect an inadequate secondary.

3. Have Andre be a giant. After allowing three kick returns of 90 yards or longer last season, the Steelers will be tested right away by Andre Davis.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Not let Ahman see green. The rush defense needs to show its late-season struggles in 2007 were an aberration.

2. Blunt the stunts. Texans are not a blitzing defense, but they run stunts with their linemen -- something that can create confusion on an O-line.

3. Watch their feet. In an attempt to improve their run game, Texans hired offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, known for teaching cut-block techniques.