On Sunday, Willie Parker became just the fourth player in franchise history to log at least 300 carries in a season. He also moved into fourth place on the Steelers' single-season rushing list (1,360 yards). Achieving those milestones, however, didn't mean much to Parker after another forgettable game against the Baltimore Ravens. Parker, who less than a week earlier had been named to his first Pro Bowl, gained just 29 yards on 13 carries in the Steelers' 31-7 loss Sunday. In two games against the NFL's stingiest run defense, Parker managed just 51 rushing yards. The low point for Parker, who had averaged 132 rushing yards in seven previous games this season at Heinz Field, came at the beginning of the fourth quarter. At the end of an 8-yard run that would have put the Steelers at the Ravens' 3-yard line, Parker had the ball ripped out of his arms. The Ravens recovered the fumble, and the play stood after the Steelers challenged the call. "I thought I was down until I saw the replay. When I saw the replay I kind of figured 'Oh, that's a fumble,' " said Parker, who needs 72 rushing yards Sunday against the Bengals to move into third place on the team's single-season rushing list. "It was my fault, trying to fight for extra yards. I take all the blame for it."
• Steve McNair had three passing touchdowns in a game for the 16th time in his career Sunday. If it seems like the other 15 of those games have also been against the Steelers, that is because playing against the black and gold seems to bring out the best in McNair. He is now 10-4 in games he has started against the Steelers, and he probably felt as comfortable in the pocket Sunday as he ever has against them. Even though the Ravens were without All-Pro offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden - the protector of McNair's blind side missed the game because of a toe injury -- the Steelers were unable to generate any kind of a pass rush. They didn't sack McNair once. "We didn't even lay a hand on him," Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior said, "and that was a big part of the game."
• Ben Roethlisberger needs 167 passing yards in the regular-season finale at Cincinnati to claim second place on the team's single-season passing list. Roethlisberger has 3,248 passing yards, which is the fourth-highest single-season total in franchise history. He went over 8,000 passing yards for his career Sunday, becoming the eighth Steelers quarterback to accomplish the feat.
Digits
20 Interceptions the Steelers have made this season, their highest total since 1997.
22 Interceptions Roethlisberger has thrown this season.
77 Yards of total offense the Steelers had in the first half Sunday against the Ravens.
181 Yards of total offense the Ravens had in the first half.
