Week 4 Breakdown

Texas Showdown


The Steelers (2-1) look to end the first quarter of the season on a high note as they travel to H-Town, Houston, Texas to battle the high scoring Texans (2-1). With the Colts struggling this season the Texans find themselves atop the AFC South, tied with the surprise Titans. The Steelers have won two straight games and find themselves in a three way tie with their two rivals, the Browns and Ravens.

The Steelers have faced the Texans three times in the teams history, winning two of them. The only loss was in the Texans expansion year as Tommy Maddox threw two interceptions and fumbled, all returned for touchdowns. The defense only allowed forty yards but lost to David Carr in an odd game. Since then the Steelers have played the Texans in Houston twice beating them down both times. The last Steelers game in Houston was a 2008 win, 38-17.

The Steelers have went from a Super Bowl favorite to the team on a "downturn" and the Steelers really haven't done much to shut those critics up. Ben Roethlisberger has turned the ball over eight times in three games, four fumbles and four interceptions. The Steelers linebacker corp has only forced one turnover and sacked opposing quarterbacks only five and a half times.

There just seems to be something missing from the Steelers that I can't put my finger on. It could be something as simple as they are just getting a slow start, and lets hope that is all it is. With the issues the Steelers have so far this season they find themselves in a rare position as underdogs.

TEXANS SEASON STATS:
Matt Schaub- 60 of 92 823 yards 6 touchdowns 3 interceptions
*Big surprise the Texans are one of the most prolific passing teams in the league.

Ben Tate- 66 carries for 301 yards 1 touchdown
*Even with a 4.6 yard average, Arian Foster will start over Tate.

Andre Johnson- 21 catches for 316 yards and 2 touchdowns
* Ike Taylor has only allowed a handful of catches and no touchdowns this season.

Defense- The Texans are allowing 332 yards and 17.6 points per game, even though their two wins were against the Colts and Dolphins who are both 0-3.

INJURY REPORT
Brett Keisel- out; Jonathan Scott- out; Doug Legursky- out;

FINAL TAKE

The Steelers rush ranks 23rd in the NFL and their defense is not much better ranking 12th, 12th! When is the last time that you could say that the Steelers were 12th in defense? Most of the the yardage was from that horrible week one game against Baltimore so I won't get too over heated about that. The Steelers really need to get back to thier old ways, run the ball the prevent Big Ben turnovers and rush the passer to force turnovers. Last week was a trap game and this week looks like the Steelers might get a beating and for that reason I don't think they will. The media is verbally destroying the Steelers so I think they will come out swinging.

STEELERS WIN: 24-20