PITTSBURGH — The Tennessee Titans needed a scouting report on Steelers running back Willie Parker, so cornerback Michael Waddell issued this warning: Don't pay attention to his college career, this guy can run.

Who knew he could run like this?

Parker, a college backup who adds speed to the NFL's most run-heavy offense, had a dazzling first career start with 161 yards rushing and a long reception, and a mistake-free Ben Roethlisberger threw for two scores in Pittsburgh's 34-7 rout of Tennessee yesterday.

"He's a raw talent, basically, but he's so fast and he's just all over the place," tackle Marvel Smith said. "He broke a lot of tackles out there."

For more than 40 years, the Steelers have been all about big, physical backs who run over or elude tacklers: Hall of Famer John Henry Johnson, Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis and, last year, Duce Staley. Parker provides a speed element they've never had, and his yardage was the most for a Steelers back on opening day.

"I really didn't take any hits in college, so my career's really just beginning," Parker said. "I had to make a name for myself, open up some eyes that I can play."

Parker, a second-year player starting because of injuries to Bettis and Staley, nearly equaled the 181 yards he had as a non-starting senior at North Carolina, when Waddell was his roommate.

Staley and Bettis likely will be ready next Sunday in Houston, but Cowher isn't going back to the two big backs who ran for more than 1,700 yards last season.

"He ran very well, and I see no reason to make a change right now," Cowher said.

Roethlisberger, mixing in more deep balls than he threw as a rookie, improved to 14-0 as an NFL starter, not counting the playoffs. His passer rating was a perfect 158.3; he is the first since Kansas City's Trent Green in 2003 to have a perfect rating.

BILLS 22, TEXANS 7

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Showing poise and confidence, J.P. Losman engineered scoring drives on each of Buffalo's first five possessions, leading the Bills over Houston.

While the Bills started erasing the frustrating memories of last year's 0-4 start, Losman began delivering on the faith the team showed in giving him the starting job over Drew Bledsoe in February.

"To come out here on the first day and it worked, it was awesome," said Losman.

The second of Buffalo's two 2004 first-round draft picks finished 17 of 28 for 170 yards and a touchdown.

"I'm here, I'm the starter now. It's my second year. We're going to get it rolling," Losman said.

Rian Lindell hit a career-high five field goals, one short of the franchise record set by Steve Christie in 1996, and Jason Peters scored on a 1-yard reception.

The defense did the rest, generating five turnovers, five sacks and limiting Houston to 120 yards.

CHIEFS 27, JETS 7

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs' revamped defense — which was ranked 29th or worse the past three seasons — came within 29 seconds of handing the New York Jets their first shutout in almost 10 years.

"We really wanted that shutout at the end. I know our fans did, too," said defensive end Eric Hicks, who blocked a field-goal attempt when rookie Mike Nugent slipped. "I'm sorry we couldn't get it for them."

Kansas City started fast on offense, too — Larry Johnson rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and Priest Holmes added 85 yards and a touchdown.

Spurred on by newcomers like Sammy Knight, Patrick Surtain and Derrick Johnson, the new-look defense forced seven fumbles and recovered two. Chad Pennington was sacked three times and intercepted once.

"There's nothing like having talent," said head coach Dick Vermeil. "Our draft and free agency were good, and then the maturity of the kids that were already here blended together. Talented athletes make more tackles than average athletes."

BENGALS 27, BROWNS 13

CLEVELAND — Carson Palmer threw two touchdown passes, and the Bengals opened a season they're confident will be a winning one with an easy win over Cleveland, spoiling Romeo Crennel's coaching debut with the Browns.

"It's a huge win for us," Palmer said. "Getting off to a fast start is what we wanted to do."

In capturing their first opener since 2001 and their first opener on the road since 1995, the Bengals are 1-0 for the first time in three seasons under coach Marvin Lewis.

Palmer picked apart Cleveland's secondary, finishing 26 of 34 for 280 yards and one interception. He threw a 20-yard TD pass to Kevin Walter just before halftime and connected on an 18-yarder to fullback Jeremi Johnson on the Bengals' opening drive in the third period as the Bengals opened a 24-10 lead.

Rudi Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 26 carries and 1-yard TD run, and Shayne Graham kicked two field goals for Cincinnati.

DOLPHINS 34, BRONCOS 10

MIAMI — Gus Frerotte led a creative offense by throwing for 275 yards, Jason Taylor returned a fumble 85 yards for a score, and Miami successfully kicked off the Nick Saban era by routing Denver.

"It's important how you respond to good things and bad things," Saban said. "We should enjoy this for 24 hours, but this is one game in a long season."

It was a long day for the Broncos. They lost cornerback Champ Bailey and running back Mike Anderson to injuries, wilted in the 90-degree South Florida heat and fell to 0-7 in Miami.

Frerotte, starting his first game for his sixth NFL team, went 24 for 36 with touchdown passes of 2 yards to Randy McMichael and 60 yards to Marty Booker. Receiver Chris Chambers ran 61 yards on a reverse to set up a field goal, and the defense did the rest.

COLTS 24, RAVENS 7

BALTIMORE — The Colts barely missed their first shutout since 1997, and Peyton Manning threw two second-half touchdown passes as Indianapolis cruised past the Ravens.

Manning could generate only three points in the first half, but it didn't matter because Baltimore wouldn't end up scoring until the game's final minute.

"Our defense had to play well until we figured out the looks they were going to give us," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "We just had to hang in there."

Indianapolis scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 17-0 lead, and the Colts coasted behind a defense that received few headlines last year while Manning threw an NFL-record 49 touchdown passes for an offense that amassed a league-leading 522 points.

Manning went 21 for 36 for 254 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, and Marvin Harrison had six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.

The Colts' defense limited the Ravens' Jamal Lewis to 48 yards rushing.