Didn't the Steelers' Defense set a record for fewest yards (48 if I recall correctly) allowed during a lose the last time they played the Texans?
Yea they only gave up 48 yards (or so), but I think the record was holding the opposing team to (whatever) and still lose.
The Steelers are only getting 6 1/2? You couldn't make easier money if you started off a game of Monpoly with Boardwalk and Park Place...
I also think that the Steelers are over-rated. But not overrated enough to let the Texans win. Even if the ideal scenario happens like you envision(Texans have a passing game, Steelers struggle moving the ball), I wouldn't rule out special teams, penalties, and bad coaching costing them the game.
Ben is quesionable with a bone bruise on his non-throwing hand. He was very limited in practice today. The problem for Houston is going to be staying in the game early. Just like almost every game last year, the Steelers jumped on the Titans early, and took away the Titans ability to run the ball. Once they forced Tennessee into throwing the ball, they could better defend the pass. If the Texans can hang close through the first half, I think it can be a close, and maybe you have a chance to beat us. In the end... Steelers 23 Texans 17
There's power rankings out there that have the Steelers ranked below the likes of the Jags, Bills and Falcons. C'mon now. That's the NBA equivalent of having the Pistons ranked behind the Magic or T-Wolves. If the Steelers are overrated, i'd sure love to hear somebody explain to me how.
Tough to make a prediction, still holding off on making one. There's one reedeming factor regardless of the outcome. I'll be sitting in a suite with all you can eat/drink... I win either way
Uh, yeah, they were #4 in the league against the pass. And how exactly does being #13 last year, and giving up 150 yards to the Bills make your run defense "good". I guess maybe when you compare it to your #24 pass defense. No way the Steelers get fewer rushing yards than the Bills did.
Replace the Steelers with the Rams and the Texans with the 49ers and you have almost exactly the same joke that most people made last week. Or replace the Steelers with the Broncos and the Texans with the Dolphins. Take a look what happened. I'm not sure who to pick, but if I had to pick now, I'd sadly take Pittsburgh by a field goal. But you guys greatly underestimate the impact of homefield in the NFL, especially early in the season when everyone "believes" they have a chance at doing well. Those of you predicting any 20-30 point blowout are going to be in for a surprise, I think... the emotion of home crowds (especially in the opener) is the ultimate equalizer in the NFL. We'll have it rocking on Sunday, and hopefully pull it out.
i hear ya...but the two worst texans games i've seen (before last week) were home games. last year vs. cleveland. and that stinker vs. the Bengals
Agreed, but those games were in November and January after all hope was gone. It gets different as the season goes on... teams lose motivation (as do crowds) when they're officially out of contention and that edge gets negated. Homefield is particularly a big edge in the first few weeks where every team (yes, even the Texans) has some hope and expectations. To use last week as an example again, I don't think you'll see the kind of effort and energy the Dolphins used Sunday during their games in December. With all that said, you still have a point on the Cleveland game... we did have motivation for that one (8-8) and all logic would point to them coming out with emotion... and it was anything but that. That game still confuses me.
I think you're overestimating our home field advantage now. If you've been listening to the radio stations this week this city is ready to turn on the Texans. If the Texans get off to a bad start the boo birds are going to come out.
Ben Rothesereburger (whatever his name is) is questionable for this game! He didn't practice at all this week. Let's hope he misses the game. Ofcourse they are still goign to run all over the place.
Spare me the "we get no respect, look at power rankings" schtick. Power rankings are the most worthless columns and very rarely are ever worth glancing over. A lot of people consider the Steelers to be head and shoulders the #2 team in the AFC. While they may end up as the #2 team, I think there are a lot of teams that are close or better than them. Jags are very close. If Losman thrives, then the Bills will be better. Falcons are better. And your NBA analogy is a crock.
