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Let us take a look at the Texans.

slashsteel

slashsteel

Thank you for everything Franco, R I P.
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Courtesy of AI

The Strengths: Why they’re 12–5​

  • The #1 Scoring Defense: DeMeco Ryans has built a monster. They finished the regular season allowing just 16.6 points per game (1st in the NFL).
  • A Lethal Pass Rush: Danielle Hunter (14.5 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks) are a nightmare for older QBs. They will be pinning their ears back to get to Aaron Rodgers.
  • Shutdown Secondary: Derek Stingley Jr. is playing at an All-Pro level, and rookie Kamari Lassiter has been a draft-day steal. They thrive on turnovers (tied for the league lead in INTs).
  • The "Clutch" Factor: C.J. Stroud has led four game-winning drives this season. Even if the Steelers lead late, he doesn't rattle.

The Weaknesses: Where the Steelers can win​

  • The "Porous" Offensive Line: This is their Achilles' heel. Stroud was sacked 52 times this season (one of the highest in the league). T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith should have a massive day if they can exploit the Texans' backup tackles.
  • Struggling Run Game: Despite having Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb, their rushing DVOA ranks near the bottom of the league (29th). If the Steelers stop the run early, they make the Texans one-dimensional.
  • The "Young" Mistakes: While Stroud is elite, he has struggled when blitzed this year, leading to some uncharacteristic multi-INT games in December.
  • Kicking Game: While Ka'imi Fairbairn is reliable, the Texans have struggled in "clutch" special teams coverage, giving up two return TDs this season.
 
Skott said:
Now do the Steelers in AI
Click to expand...

The Strengths: Why the Steelers can win it all​

  • The Return of T.J. Watt: After missing three games with a lung issue, his return last night "ignited" the team. He and Alex Highsmith (8.5 sacks) are the most dangerous edge-rushing duo in the playoffs.
  • Rodgers’ Experience: Even at 42, Aaron Rodgers has been surgical in high-pressure moments. He finished the season with 23 TDs and only 7 INTs, providing the "safe hands" this offense has lacked for years.
  • The "Ground and Pound" Duo: Jaylen Warren (892 yards) and Kenneth Gainwell (527 yards) give the Steelers a physical identity. They can eat clock, which will be vital to keep C.J. Stroud off the field next week.
  • Takeaway Kings: The defense ranks 3rd in the league for takeaways. Patrick Queen (119 tackles) and Brandin Echols have a knack for turning the momentum in the 4th quarter.

The Weaknesses: The "Red Flags" for Houston​

  • The WR Depletion: This is the big one. D.K. Metcalf is suspended for the Wild Card game (altercation with a fan), and George Pickens is gone. Rodgers is left with Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth as his primary targets.
  • Secondary Vulnerability: While they get picks, the secondary is ranked 29th in passing yards allowed. C.J. Stroud is likely licking his chops looking at the deep-ball opportunities.
  • Injuries at Tight End: Losing Darnell Washington (broken arm) hurts more than people think—he was essentially a sixth offensive lineman for the run game.
  • The "Slow Start" Trend: As we saw in the Cleveland loss and the first half last night, the offense often goes cold for 2–3 quarters. You can't do that against a Houston team that leads the league in scoring defense.
 
madinsomniac said:
And havent won a playoff game since tge end of the 2016 season... so one of those streaks is coming to ab end
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We don’t lose on Monday night at home. Steelers are gonna get their first payoff win in nine seasons Monday night.
Buckle up boys…
It’s a big boy game now
 
steel dino said:
We don’t lose on Monday night at home. Steelers are gonna get their first payoff win in nine seasons Monday night.
Buckle up boys…
It’s a big boy game now
Click to expand...
Lets hope so... that Texans D is gonna pucker up our staffs butthole something fiercely... we need to play from a lead in this one badly
 
madinsomniac said:
Lets hope so... that Texans D is gonna pucker up our staffs butthole something fiercely... we need to play from a lead in this one badly
Click to expand...
Get that defense outdoors in the grass with below freezing temperatures, we’ll see how tough they are.
 
I'm going to show you all something very strange... and I am not superstitious, but this is wild. My sister gave me this for Christmas and look what was in the box.

Out of all the thousands of boxes they pack at the factory I got one with the wrong team....and look at which team it was...LOL.

Bad omen? Or good omen?

20260104-231458.jpg

20260104-231548.jpg


What would Mike say?

I'm guessing " There's nothing mystical about it, but buy my action figure and stare into it's eyes before you go to sleep it will put you at peace. DO NOT cut off your eyelids...yet obviously."

Screenshot-from-2025-12-31-12-14-41.png
 
Last edited:
Hypocycloids said:
The Texans won their last 9 in a row.
They ain’t going to the Super Bowl and are due for a loss so it may as well be against us.
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How do you know that? They have by far the best defense in the conference, and when your D can go on the road in the playoffs and dominate, that has always been proven to be a force multiplier. That 9-game win streak didnt just come about by happenstance.

Only chance the Steelers have is if Houston's defense somehow, some way trips over their dic.ks all game long and have their worst game of the season, and our offense is able to squeak out just enough production to skate by. I'm always hopeful for a miracle, but not holding my breath.
 
Now I will say my two and a half cents:

Steelers have the:

RB edge
Oline edge
QB experience edge

Both teams have the:

Pass rush and ability to create turnovers- push

Texans have the:

WR edge
Secondary edge
QB mobility edge
 
slashsteel said:
Now I will say my two and a half cents:

Steelers have the:

RB edge
Oline edge
QB experience edge

Both teams have the:

Pass rush and ability to create turnovers- push

Texans have the:

WR edge
Secondary edge
QB mobility edge
Click to expand...
You forgot one Steeler edge:
Home-field advantage
 
The Texans finished the season as the 2nd most penalized team in terms of total yards (1,149 yards). They struggle with "Unnecessary Roughness" (11 on the season).

Just another tidbit.
 
I see their D is equally good against the run and pass. So the Oline will have to live up to billing and that jumbo Oline package will be needed to to run effectively and set up play action passing.
 
They say defense travels, Baltimore's pass rush is horrible, this will be a different animal with Houston, our defense better be able to hold serve.
 
I think this is the best shot we have had at a playoff win in a while. Houston's defense is very good, but their offense does not scare me. They are averaging less than half a point more than us. Their RBs are average and they have one good WR. Their second leading receiver is a TE. We may lose the game, but I would be shocked if we got blown out.
 
Omar10213245 said:
How do you know that? They have by far the best defense in the conference, and when your D can go on the road in the playoffs and dominate, that has always been proven to be a force multiplier. That 9-game win streak didnt just come about by happenstance.

Only chance the Steelers have is if Houston's defense somehow, some way trips over their dic.ks all game long and have their worst game of the season, and our offense is able to squeak out just enough production to skate by. I'm always hopeful for a miracle, but not holding my breath.
Click to expand...
I don’t know that. Just having fun.

But on the serious side the reasons in your second paragraph sounds good to me:p
 
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