Houston Texans: Why The Match-Up Against the Pittsburgh Steelers is So Important

After last weeks blown nine point lead with ten minutes left in the fourth quarter it’s important for the Houston Texans to get back on the field and set the tone against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers aging offensive line it’ll be important for the Texans defense to come out the gate and smash the Steelers in the mouth early much like the team done during the first half of last weeks game against the New Orleans Saints.

It’s vital for the Texans defense to get back on the track they were on after the first ten quarters of the NFL season. Ranked number one defesively in the NFL after the first two weeks of the season, the defense had a setback in the fourth quarter of last weeks game.

The Texans are 1-2 all time versus the Steelers and have lost the last two match-ups. The Texans are currently tied with the Tennessee Titans for the division lead at 2-1 and don’t want to fall behind early in the division standings. The Titans are not as bad as some expected them to be and Matt Hasselbeck have the Titans poised for another win today against the Cleveland Browns.

Defensive end Antonio Smith leads the Texans with 3.0 sacks and is on pace to have 16 sacks on the season.

Rookie defensive end J.J. Watt is looking to extend a streak of big-play games. The first-round pick had a fumble recovery in Week 1, a blocked field goal in Week 2 and a sack in Week 3. Expect the high motored Mega-Watt to come up with another huge impact play this week as well.

In linebacker Mario Williams only time to have faced the Steelers, Williams recorded six solo tackles, 2 sacks and one forced fumble on opening day in 2008. Williams is banged up but expect the converted linebacker-if you will-to have be in Big Ben Roethlesburger’s face through out the afternoon.

The Texans failed their first true contender test last week against the Saints and have a match-up today against Pittsburgh. After today Oakland, and Baltimore are two other contending teams the Texans will face in the next two weeks.

The Texans must pull out a win today against the aging Pittsburgh Steelers in order to pull to 1-1 against teams considered NFL contenders. And to not relinquish the division lead in the event that the Tennessee Titans pull out a win in Cleveland.

If the Houston Texans want to be considered true contenders this year in the AFC then a win today is crucial in order to Finally begin to get the respect many have given them coming into the season.

Home/Houston Texans News