"It's definitely hard," Parker said. "Even if I'm hobbled I want to get in there. I guess it's one of those years. Every running back goes through it."

Parker has missed five games this season with knee and shoulder injuries. The Steelers added depth to their backfield Thursday by re-signing veteran running back Najeh Davenport.

? As expected, starting defensive end Brett Keisel (knee) and offensive tackle Marvel Smith (back) are out for Sunday's game. They were the only Steelers that did not practice yesterday. Travis Kirschke will start at right defensive end while Max Starks will make his seventh consecutive start at left tackle. Cornerbacks Bryant McFadden (arm) and Deshea Townsend (hamstring) are listed as questionable for Sunday even though both practiced all week. The Steelers are hopeful that McFadden can play for the first time since breaking his right forearm in an Oct. 19 game at Cincinnati. Second-year man William Gay has started the last two games at the cornerback spot opposite Ike Taylor.

? The Steelers have dropped six of the last seven games they have played against the Patriots. They never seemed to recover from a 34-13 loss to New England last season, as they fell in three of their four final games, including in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Defensive end Aaron Smith, however, dismissed the notion that the Steelers would clear a hurdle of sorts by beating the Patriots Sunday in New England.

"I don't think it's a big game in that we need to prove something," Smith said. "This isn't the Super Bowl. You keep your eye on that goal and that's why it's a big game."

The Steelers (8-3) probably need a win to stay a game ahead of the Ravens (7-4) in the AFC North. Baltimore plays 1-9-1 Cincinnati Sunday.

? Among the Patriots that are questionable for Sunday's game are defensive tackles Richard Seymour (knee) and Ty Warren (groin), linebacker Tedy Bruschi (knee) and cornerback Ellis Hobbs (shoulder). Seymour, who leads the Patriots with seven sacks, participated on a limited basis in practice Friday after missing the previous two days.

? The Steelers' Dec. 14 game at Baltimore has been changed from 1 to 4:15 p.m. The NFL's flex scheduling policy allows the times of games to be moved in the latter part of the season to give networks more attractive matchups. The Steelers' regular-season finale against the visiting Browns is also subject to change. The Dec. 28 game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Digits

3.5 Sacks outside linebacker James Harrison needs to break the Steelers' single-season record set by Mike Merriweather in 1984.

115 Yards from scrimmage Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward needs to reach 10,000 for his career.

94.1 Kicker Jeff Reed's field-goal percentage, which ranks first in the AFC.