Steeler Smackdown: Sept. 7 vs. Houston Texans

The Steelers start regular season action this Sunday at Heinz Field. Tell us your thoughts about their upcoming match-up with the Texans.

To comment, you must register or sign in. Please be sure to read our Guide to Commenting.

This should be a great test for the Steelers.  Many Steeler fans have yet to forget what happened against the Texans a few years ago (pre-Big Ben) when they got like 50 yards of total offense and STILL won by 2 TD's! 

The Texans have a chance to prove they belong in the AFC Playoff discussion with a win in one of the hardest places to play in the NFL.

The problem Houston has is almost no running game.  Ahman Green is not going to scare the Steelers.  And so long as they keep Andre Johnson in check, that should leave lots of lanes for Harrison and Co. to blitz and cause major problems.  And Polamalu should be back in the secondary for this game.

Should be a great opening game at Heinz Field, I just think the Texans have another year to go before being serious AFC playoff contenders.

The Texans win if:  They get siginificant pressure on Big Ben and force him into mistakes (i.e. INT's and/or fumbles)

The Steelers win if:  They stop Houston's running game and force them into 3rd and long situations, where their zone blitz schemes become more effective.

Steelers 24, Houston 20

I agree.

Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans and Amobi Okoye are nasty defensemen and will give our O-line a big challenge.

Ben will prevail.

Steelers 27, Texans 17

 If it's possible for the first game of the season to be a trap game, this certainly qualifies.

With the schedule the way it is, I think it's easy for this game to get overlooked, and that scares me. This game is not a gimme by any stretch of the imagination, and we'll know rather quickly if our Oline is a pretender or contender.

Good analysis. I've always said that Steelers fans are some of the most knowledgeable fans in all of pro sports.

It's true that Houston does have a decent defense, but as long as we get some semblance of the run established it'll be raining six point strikes from Ben to Santonio all day long at Heinz Field, baby!

I see the Steelers big, 31-16.

 This is going to be a tougher game than most people think. Houston was playing well last season til the injury bug hit a few of their star players. They are cming into this game trying to make a name for themselves and our secondary will have it's hands full. If we can neutralize the run the defense will have a field day and should get 3-4 sacks and a couple of turnovers. If we have a problem with the run it could be alot closer and come down to who capitailzes on whose mistakes. I love the steelers at home but I do not thinhk we will cover the 7.5 point spread. My prediction Pgh 37-33. Bring on the Brownies!

 I think evryone here is giving Houston's offense waaaaaay too much credit.  Either that, or they are not giving our defense nearly enough.   I find it difficult to believe that the Steelers can't score at will on these guys.  Is Mario really too tough for Marvel?  I don't think so!  While the Steelers are moving the ball up and down the field, how are the Texans going to score?  The only way they score more than 13 points is three reasons: 1) Turnovers in the short field, 2) field positions related to returns, 3) garbage time!

The reality is this:  The veterans are finished with the nonsense called preseason, and they will respond accordingly.  Recent history reveals BIG wins on opening day, regardless of venue.  The Steelers are loaded on offense, ready for 40+ TD passes from Ben.  Don't let last years rushing stats fool you.  Fast Willie's yardage was a result of big runs after being held in check for several carries - he's not going to grind out for 4-4.5 yards and break tackles every time he touches the ball.  32 TD passes to 6 TD runs last year shows that.  The fact is the Steelers running game will go as long as the passing game goes - and they are loaded and ready to strike in the air.

I see this game as a nice warm up for the Brownies, while Dallas softens 'em up.

I do not know who is going to cover andre johnson. I think he is going to have a huge day and the texans are going to win. They were not far off of being a playoff team last year so i do not know why people r overlooking them

 Ike is going to cover Johnson - whether its Andre or Chad doesn't matter.  Chad, by the way is better than Andre and in 4 years, has no TD's against Pitsburgh.  Ike can handle him.  If you watch the Steelers corners closely, they have blanket coverage most of the time - at least on the outside thirds of the field (over the middle, I'd like to know where the safeties and LBers are).  The problem with corner coverages have been tipped balls, dropped INTs and the like that end up in the hands of opposing WRs. 

In addition to that, after the Steelers stop the run - and it will be early - Matt Schaub is not the scrambling type QB that typically gives the Steelers a hard time.  He is apocket passer without the experience necessary to beat the wide array of blitzes that will be coming after him. 

 i agree with you that the steelers will prob shut down the run because ahman green, steve slaton and chris young are not good at all.

i do not agree with you that chad johnson is better than andre johnson. chad has carson palmer throwing him the ball and Houshmandzadeh to take away some of the pressure when andre johnson has never had a qb or opposite wr to help him out and he is still putting up huge games.

bzim19:

I agree.

Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans and Amobi Okoye are nasty defensemen and will give our O-line a big challenge.

Ben will prevail.

Steelers 27, Texans 17

 I guess everyone expects our ofensive line to lose this battle.  We better make it up with our great D.

That game is long forgotten. I remember the LAST time we played them was in Ben's 2nd year when him and our defense kicked their butts in Houston!!!!

 That was Fast Willie's show. He was our man after that game.

Flying in from Chicago for the game.  Come in Saturday, leave Monday.  I can't wait!

Honestly, I don't see how the O-line is going to improve.  They replaced their center with a guy who got cut by Tampa and downgraded at Guard.  Ben is going to be sacked minimum of 4-5 times.  I still can't believe they didn't use any draft picks on improving the line.

That having been said, I think the Steelers will prevail.  If the O-line holds at all, they will have a scary-good offense.  And the D is solid as always.

Steelers 20-17

The Steelers currently have the longest winning streak in the NFL when it comes to opening day games.  The streak is 5.  The struggles on offense in the preseason will be a non-issue.  Can you remember when the Steelers first team offense really looked impressive in the preseason since Ben has been there?  I can't, and in 4 out of those 5 games the Steelers scored over 30 points.  The Texans really do not have a running game.  Look for Woodley and Timmons to emerge as well as "Silverback" Harrison.  Not even close this week, Steelers 38  Texans  10