• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Roethlisberger, Steelers roll past Bills

Sep 16, 2007 - 10:27 PM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers did not figure out the way to the end zone until the second half. It did not matter.

Roethlisberger threw for 242 yards and a touchdown and Willie Parker rushed for another as the Steelers continued their strong start to the season with a 26-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Despite being forced to settle for four first-half field goals, Pittsburgh (2-0) was in complete control as it won for the sixth time in its last seven home openers. It was also the 500th victory in franchise history.

Following a week that was dominated by the medical updates to teammate Kevin Everett after his life-threatening spinal-cord injury, the Bills were overwhelmed, managing over 220 yards of offense only after a couple of late drives.

"There's no denying it was a difficult week, but our guys prepared well," Buffalo coach Dick Jauron said. "They worked hard all week. We didn't get it done. It would have been nice to win this game for Kevin."

Roethlisberger and the Steelers had very little trouble establishing their ball-control attack early, going 58 yards on 13 plays on the opening drive before settling for a 34-yard field goal by Jeff Reed.

Overall, Pittsburgh finished with 420 yards on 68 plays, ending up with more than 35 minutes of possession.

Buffalo (0-2) attempted to answer back on its first possession, getting down to Pittsburgh 37 following a 44-yard return by Terrence McGee. However, the Bills were stopped on a 4th-and-2 to turn the ball over on downs.

Although Roethlisberger was intercepted throwing deep downfield on the next play, the Steelers defense forced a 3-and-out before the offense went on a 14-play drive that bridged the first and second quarters and ended with a 28-yard field goal by Reed.

Reed finished with two more field goals in the second, as the Bills defense would not break deep in their own end.

"What did we go, four field goals before we got in the end zone," Steelers guard Alan Faneca said. "We definitely would have liked to get it in a couple of times, at least."

It was not until the second half that Pittsburgh finally broke through, as Roethlisberger found rookie tight end Matt Spaeth for a one-yard touchdown for a 19-3 lead with 4:46 remaining in the third.

It was the second straight week with a score for Spaeth, who was one of four different receivers to catch a TD from Roethlisberger in a 34-7 win at Cleveland last week.

While Roethlisberger did not have the same gaudy passing stats against the Bills, he did compete 21-of-34 passes, spreading the ball around to nine different receivers.

"It's good to spread the ball around," Roethlisberger said. "Everyone I can think of caught a ball tonight and that's my goal going into every game, to try and get everybody at least one ball."

"Again we showed that our offense is many dimensions," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Keep that going and we will challenge our opponents."

Hines Ward had five receptions for 55 yards and Nate Washington added three for 60 for the Steelers.

"You have to credit (offensive coordinator) Bruce Arians for the versatile offense," Ward said. "He understands his personnel and puts guys in position to go out and make plays. It's fun for everybody because everybody feels like they are involved in the game."

Parker, who finished with 126 yards on 23 carries, added an 11-yard TD run midway through the fourth to cap the scoring.

"Willie did a great job all day, pressing it and getting those hard one- or two-yard runs, losing one yard and then busting it for 10 or 15 yards," Roethlisberger said.

It was the 15th career 100-yard game for the fourth-year back, and the second this season.

The Steelers did have a scary moment at the half, when linebacker James Harrison was taken off the field in a stretcher with a neck injury.

On an eight-yard run by Bills rookie Marshawn Lynch, Harrison was blocked headfirst into one of his teammates. Despite appearing to be in a great deal of pain, the fourth-year player returned to the sideline under his own power with six minutes left in the third quarter.

Harrison is still expected to undergo further tests on Monday.

"Harrison appears to be all right," Tomlin said. "He will be tested tomorrow."

J.P. Losman finished 15-of-25 for 154 yards and Lynch had 64 yards on 18 attempts for the Bills.