Official Texans @ Steelers Game Thread, 10/20/2014
 

The Texans travel to Pittsburgh's Heinz Field to take on the Steelers on Monday Night Football. The 3-3 Texans are coming off a 33-28 home loss to the Colts on TNF. The 3-3 Steelers are coming off 31-10 thumping by the Browns on the road. The matchup will feature the AFC's top two running backs in Arian Foster and Le'Veon Bell.

The Texans currently sit at #19 in the ESPN Power Rankings. The Steelers are at #22.

TV = ESPN, Monday, Oct 20, 7:30pm CST

Announcers = Mike Turico, John Gruden

The line = Steelers by 3 to 4

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Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

Early:

CBS = Cincinnati @ Indianapolis -- Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

FOX = Carolina @ Green Bay -- Sam Rosen, John Lynch

Late:

FOX = NY Giants @ Dallas -- Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman (the networks, particularly NFC-based FOX, must be absolutely orgasmic that Dallas is relevant again. Check out that viewing area.

LOL that little strip of purple on the map where some Texans will be subjected to Cleveland at Jacksonville on the faint hope that they might see Johnny Football.

As for Monday's game, it might be a good game on a neutral field but Pittsburgh will have their refs with them ignoring any illegal hits by Steeler players and flagging the Oilers (err, Texans) for critical penalties at exactly the wrong time. Just like old times.

Eheh, ya, that must be the Tyler viewing area. Manziel country. ;)

The more I think about it, the more I realize this is a really critical game for the Texans..... Division games are always highest priority but this is the kind of game that the team needs to win just for the conference W. The teams are probably about even w/the Steelers getting the 3 pts for home field .....Both teams could go one way or the other after this game. The Texans need this one just to support their record or what their record will eventually turn out to be. Go to 4-3 overall and then it is possible to go 6-3 down the stretch which would be right around the cut off line for the playoffs. Leave Pittsburgh with a loss (3-4) and then you're talkin' needing to go at least 7-2 and maybe 6-3 ain't good enough. Jacksonville and Tennessee aren't necessarily gimmes - the Texans will have to earn it..

This is Week 7 and chatter about a "new system" should be on the downslope. They should have the basics of it down by now.... If they don't, then they need to acquire smarter players....

It really sucks when you know you're out of it with a month (or more) to go.... As we're not even at the half-way point, yet, I still got the battle red glasses on... Maybe they come on, maybe they fade, but this game seems very pivotal to me.....

Good sign: Clowney returned to practice today. Should be good to go by Monday night.

Possible good sign: Ex-coach Bill Cowher and ex-receiver Hines Ward were both trashing the Steelers as "soft" after their loss to the Browns and that either means a) they're soft or b) they just aren't throwing the cheap shots that they used to and all the "player safety" rules have gotten to them.

Maybe the Steelers will come out hitting harder but it's just as possible they'll commit some stupid fouls just to prove they aren't soft. Maybe the Texans should bring a bag of marshmallows onto the field just to make a point.

Are marshmallows part of a vegan diet? Just askin...

Inactives:

HOUSTON
QB Tom Savage
WR DeVier Posey
OLB Jadeveon Clowney
T Jeff Adams
CB Jumal Rolle
CB Darryl Morris
S Josh Aubrey


PITTSBURGH
QB Landry Jones
WR Justin Brown
CB Ike Taylor
S Shamarko Thomas
LB Ryan Shazier
G Chris Hubbard
NT Steve McClendon

Turnovers Turnovers Turnovers!!!

6 interceptions 9 forced fumbles

We have got to continue the trend...

For the love of God keep Swearinger out of pass coverage...

Can anybody not named Watt get a sack or force a hurry...

Slot receiver???Tight End???Where are you...

Throw it up and let Hopkins make a play...

Somebody cut off Fitz's beard while he is sleeping...I have had enough of the special ed. stares after making a poor choice...:D

Just my 2 cents

Aaaannnndddd, here we go........

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Texans win the toss and defer. Steelers to receive.

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Kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Steelers will have the ball at their 20.

Ben takes off on a, looks like, designed run and gets 5.

Tipped pass over the middle falls inc. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Bell gets 5 and the 1st down.

Bell for 4.

Short pass to Bell goes for about 10 or 11 and a 1st down. Ball at the Steeler 44.

Bell for about 2.

Ben's deep pass down the sideline sails inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Pass to Wheaton too high inc. Steelers have to punt.

Ball is downed by the Steelers around the Texans 5 yard line. Texan's ball. 11:24 left in the 1st qtr.

Ball at the 6.

Foster for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Foster gets bottled up. Gain of maybe 1. Brings up 3rd and 6.

Fitz almost sacked chunks it to D Johnson for a 1st down at the 25 yard line.

Foster goes for 11.

Fitz pressured and scrambles for 1 or 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Foster goes to the Texan 49. 1st down.

Blue gets 3.

Short flat pass to AJ gets 4. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Foster rips off a 33-yard run! 1st down at the Steeler 11.

Short pass to Blue who runs it in for the TD!

Texans 7, Steelers 0

5:55 left in the 1st qtr.

Great drive...

We cannot have Bouye chasing down the deep ball...he got lucky last time. No big plays.

Yep, Foster almost unstoppable on that nice drive to open the game.

The ensuing kickoff is downed in the end zone. Steelers will get the ball at their 20.

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Bell for 1.

Bell gets about 3 more. Brings up 3rd and 6.

Pass to Brown good for a 1st down w/holding called on JJo (declined). Steelers ball at their 37.

Pass to Brown gets 9.

Bell gets about 4 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 49.

Bell caught in the backfield for a loss of 2.

Quick pass to Bell gets 3. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Ben is sacked and fumbles! Watt recovers! Texans ball near midfield!

okay, turnover by our D. I think Mercilus corralled Rothelsberger .

JJ recovers fumble. If Rothelsberger continues to hold the ball that long, should lead to a few sacks and fumbles.

Texans takeover at the Steeler 46.

Deep pass down the sideline to AJ sails inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster for about 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Graham gets 5 and the 1st down.

Foster skates outside right for 9.

Blue gets 2 or 3 and the 1st down. Ball at the Steeler 23.

End of the 1st qtr.

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Good quarter. Need 3 more.

Blue for 1. Ball at the Steeler 22.

Foster for a couple. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Oy, Fitz's pass to Foster a little off the mark, inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Bullock's 39-yarder is good.

Texans 10, Steelers 0

13:34 left in the half.

Steelers brings the ensuing kickoff back to their 16. Steeler's ball.

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Blount goes nowhere. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Blount for about 2. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Ben's pass down the sideline to Wheaton sails inc. Steelers will have to punt.

K Martin fields the punt and is tackled immediately. Texan's ball at their 29.

Foster for 4.

Pass to Hopkins goes for nice gainer. Ball at the Steeler 44.

Foster has no room and runs out of bounds for a loss of 1.

Short pass to K Martin over the middle gets 5. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Fitz can't find a receiver and takes off for about 6...... close to the 1st down....just a few inches short. Texans to go for it on 4th down.

Foster gets about 10 and the 1st down. Ball at the Steeler 24.

Blue for 1 or 2.

Pass to Hopkins down the sideline too long, inc. Brings up 3rd and 9.

Short pass to Foster only gets 3. Texans to go for the FG.

Bullock's 38-yarder is good.

Texans 13, Steelers 0

7:16 left in the half.

Blount brings the ensuing kickoff back to about the Steeler 14. Steeler's ball.

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Ben is sacked by Watt! Loss of 9!

Quick pass to Brown gets 3 or 4. 3rd and 15 coming up.

Ben's pass over the middle goes inc but Watt is offside. Makes it 3rd and 10 coming up.

Short pass to Bell goes for huge gainer. 43 yards. Ball at the Texan 43.

Timeout Steelers.

Ben hits Miller for a gain of 13.

Bell goes up the gut for 5.

Ben's pass to Johnson too short, inc. Brings up 3rd and 5. 3:50 left in the half.

Mercilus with the snag/sack of Ben! Suisham on for the FG.

44-yarder is good.

Texans 13, Steelers 3

3:08 left in the half.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

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Foster for almost 3. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Fitz can't find a receiver and takes off but is caught for a loss of 1. 3rd and 9 coming up.

2 minute warning.

On 3rd and 9, Fitz's pass to Hopkins off the mark, inc. Texans will have to punt.

Brown returns the punt to the Steeler 38 yard line. Steeler's ball.

Short pass to Bell goes for big gainer. About 27 yards. Ball at the Texan 35.

Ben's deep pass to Bryant in the end zone is good for the TD.

Texans 13, Steelers 10

1:27 left in the half.

Manning muffs the ensuing kickoff and gets tackled at the Texan 5.

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Screen to Foster only goes for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Foster loses 1. Steelers use their final timeout. 3rd and 11 coming up w/1:10 left in the half. Play is being reviewed to see if Foster fumbled.....

Play is reversed. Steelers will take over on the Texan 3 or 4 yard line. Jeeeez.......

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Steelers use a half-back-like pass to put it in the end zone for the TD.

Steelers 17, Texans 13

1:03 left in the half.

Unbelievable.

Houston Texans football, gentlemen.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone for a touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

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Man, Fitz's pass is tipped and INT'ed by Keisel. He returns it to the Texan 8 yard line. Steeler's ball.

even more unbelievable, shh.

24 points in 3 minutes. Ridiculous. And most of it's on the O.

Pass to Brown goes to the 3. 34 seconds left in the half.

Pass to Bell in the corner of the end zone goes for the TD.

Steelers 24, Texans 13

14 seconds left in the half.

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Well, this one is shaping up as a memorable game......:rolleyes:

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone. Texans will take over at their 20.

Texans kneel it.

Halftime.

Lazy ass careless Arian foster fumble...didn't even attempt to pick it up after rolling on top of it...

Dumb ass Daniel manning...who shouldn't even be on the team

Then Fitzpatrick becomes Fitzpatrick...

Halftime stats:

Passing: Fitz 8/13, 68 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Foster 13/88, Blue 4/7

Receiving: D Hop 1/23, D Johnson 1/15, Blue 1/11, Graham 1/6, Foster 2/4, AJ 1/4

Tackles: Merci 4, Crick/Lewis/Mohamed 3 each, Watt/JJo/Swearinger/Tuggle/Pickett 2 each

Time of possession: Texans 15:53, Steelers 14:07

1st downs: Texans 9, Steelers 10

Total yards: Texans 168, Steelers 183

3rd down efficiency: Texans 3/7, Steelers 3/7

Red zone: Texans 1/1, Steelers 2/2

Penalties: Texans 1/5, Steelers 0/0

Turnovers: Texans 2, Steelers 1

The even worse part of this is the fact that Fitzpatrick is coming out of the tunnel as the expected savior...

This is the second time I have seen Swearinger notice that someone was out of position...he must be the only one that knows the play book or has any awareness outside of Watt...

Well, it's pretty much on everyone:

Fked up return by Manning put them in a hole.

Foster fumble.

JJo about five yards behind his man on a stupid trick play that should never work in the NFL.

Irresponsible play calling paired with a bad pass result in another turnover.

Blown coverage because of abject confusion after the Steelers offense does something radical and puts a man in motion. (Do these guys practice or just wear Go Pros and grab-ass around?)

So there's plenty of blame to go around. Like I said, Houston Texans football.

Sure am enjoying these young guys, though.

Manning brings the kickoff back and fumbles again at the 24 but recovers. Texan's ball.

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Pass to Fido gets 9.

Foster gets stuffed for no gain. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Foster stuffed for no gain. Texans will punt.

Brown brings the punt back to the Steeler 34. Steeler's ball.

One of the differences between the 1QTR and 2nd QTR? Steelers figured out they don't need to respect Fitz.

There was all this talk about becoming stronger up front and we look as weak as ever...can't pick up one yard consistently...

Bell for about 4 or 5. 13 minutes left in the 3rd qtr.

Short pass to Bell gets 3. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Pass to Blount goes for about 7 and the 1st down. Ball around midfield.

Flea-flicker deep pass sails inc in the end zone. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Draw to Archer goes for 9. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Blount gets 1......just short of the 1st down marker.

Ben tries to draw the Texans offsides and takes the delay of game penalty. Steelers to punt. 9:35 left in the 3rd qtr.

Punt is downed by the Steelers at the Texan 7 yard line. Texan's ball.

Hard to defend 2 stupid turnovers deep in your own zone. One at the 2yd line.