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

Arky · #1 10-15-2014, 12:02 PM

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.

HPF Bob · #2 10-15-2014, 11:38 PM

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.

HPF Bob · #3 10-15-2014, 11:41 PM

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.

Arky · #4 10-15-2014, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

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.

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

Arky · #5 10-17-2014, 08:46 PM

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.....

HPF Bob · #6 10-18-2014, 12:40 AM

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...

Arky · #7 10-20-2014, 06:36 PM

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

Big Texas · #8 10-20-2014, 07:29 PM

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...

Just my 2 cents

Arky · #9 10-20-2014, 07:31 PM

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.

Arky · #10 10-20-2014, 07:37 PM

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.

Arky · #11 10-20-2014, 07:44 PM

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.

Big Texas · #12 10-20-2014, 07:49 PM

Great drive...

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

Arky · #13 10-20-2014, 07:54 PM

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!

popanot · #14 10-21-2014, 09:57 AM

I know I've been on Fitz (a lot), but let me just say, I don't blame that loss on him. That was a total team collapse. But one of the things that bothers me is it takes a monster game from JJ, a monster game from Foster, a monster game from anyone else, and basically a zero turnover game to overcome Fitz's limitations. Whether his limitations are talent-based, coaching induced or both, I don't know. We've had 2 or 3 games now where they've gotten a monster game from JJ or Foster or both and they've still lost. But I think the thing that bothers me most with this whole situation and with Fitz et.al, is that the franchise is choosing to stay in Neutral.

They are not choosing to win (since they aren't), they're not trying to lose (obviously), and they are not evaluating talent. Neutral and neutered. I know this post will likely get picked apart, but I'm frustrated by being stuck in Neutral. It's basically a season lost, IMO, and the Texans are choosing it to be this way. I didn't (and don't) expect a bunch of W's and I don't want a bunch of L's, but I'd rather see L's with a young QB/WR/RB/OL/you-name-it being evaluated rather than L's or limbo with players you know have no future with this franchise.

Keith · #15 10-21-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popanot

It's basically a season lost, IMO, and the Texans are choosing it to be this way.

We all knew this was going to be a lost season given the lack of talent at QB... can't roll with Fitzy as your starter and expect to add a Lombardi to your trophy mantle.

The main problem is that by punting the QB need this year, the team pushed off likely another lost year next year, too. How will the Texans get better at QB in the next offseason? Drafting a rookie? Well that should pay immediate dividends, right?

No. So even if this is an 8-8 team in 2014, I'm not entirely sure how much better the team will be in 2015. Their key vets are a year older (Foster, Andre, JJo, etc), and they'll be playing a likely tougher 2nd place schedule, too.

popanot · #16 10-21-2014, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

We all knew this was going to be a lost season given the lack of talent at QB... can't roll with Fitzy as your starter and expect to add a Lombardi to your trophy mantle.

I didn't expect a Lombardi regardless of who was at QB this year. That is, unless they somehow magically cloned P. Manning. Lost season to me is choosing to continue to roll with Fitzy and possibly others who have zero future with this franchise. It's time to throw in the towel and evaluate Mallett and/or Savage, play Posey and whoever else on the roster our idiot GM drafted or traded for and move forward or backwards. At least we'll know if these guys have starter potential, are career backups, or need to be tossed in the trash. In addition, it'll expose our GM for what he is.

barrett · #17 10-21-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

We all knew this was going to be a lost season given the lack of talent at QB... can't roll with Fitzy as your starter and expect to add a Lombardi to your trophy mantle.

The main problem is that by punting the QB need this year, the team pushed off likely another lost year next year, too. How will the Texans get better at QB in the next offseason? Drafting a rookie? Well that should pay immediate dividends, right?

No. So even if this is an 8-8 team in 2014, I'm not entirely sure how much better the team will be in 2015. Their key vets are a year older (Foster, Andre, JJo, etc), and they'll be playing a likely tougher 2nd place schedule, too.

That is my main issue. Punting on this season would have been ok by itself. This year has lots of dead money, roster turnover from system switches, and purging of the Kubiak taint. But now we are staring at a rookie QB next year or another cast off in the Fitzy mold.

It is great that McNair is patient, but the knowledge you'll probably get 5 years even if you are terrible means O'Brien could throw away 2+ seasons on a rebuild in a league where worst to first happens every year.