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Steelers/Texans game

stillwright

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So we have had every game this weekend competitive. A NFL record of fourth quarter lead changes.

Who here believes we keep the game close? I will be rooting for a win. That said.....

Seems over the last handful of playoff games we have had I always tell myself ......it can't get any worse then our last playoff game. Then it is the same old same old result.

Should I feel confident for a win? Get my hopes up?......or just hope to keep it a competitive game until the end?

I want a win!!
Multiple wins!!!!
A SB win!!!!


Am i delusional...asking to much?

Or will reality set in well before the 1st quarter is finished as history has shown us our last 5 or 6 playoff games?

Thoughts anyone?
 
Not sure the Texans have the offense to run away with it, as long as the Steelers offense doesn't turn the ball over several times.

I think the Texans will win, but I honestly feel better about this one with Dylan Cook at LT than I would have with Broderick Jones still playing.

The Steelers blocking overall has been noticeably better with Cook, and that's important against a defense like the Texans.

Running is probably going to be tough, but getting Metcalf back is a pretty big deal, as hopefully it opens up more room for Rodgers and Freiermuth to continue some of what they established last week.

Seriously, if they don't target Freiermuth 5+ times in this game, they may as well just trade him in the off-season because that contract makes no sense otherwise.
 
What if they let AARON do HIS thing? No conservative bullshit that we have done in the last 5 or 6 playoff games... we cone out and play to win instead of not losing? Give Rodgers control perhaps?

Defensively......be aggressive. If they beat us on a play then props to them. They laid back and give them free yards has to stop if you want to win in the playoffs.

Tomlin....get it done !!!!
 
SB win? I'd say that's a bit delusional, but Godbless ya for the hope you hold in your heart!

I think the Texans are beatable, but our offense (particularly the line) will have to have their best showing of the season to get it done
Never say never.🤪
 
What does everyone think Metcalf will do? Will he be a difference maker? Will he open our O up? Or will we just throw screens and 4 yard hooks/outs to him all game?. Will Muth be a bigger factor in the passing game? Or will Austin or Gainwell out preform him?
 
If I'm the Steelers I run right at and over Will Anderson. The Texans ILB's are fast and play downhill. Steelers have to be able to run the football this game to control the clock and keep the Steelers Defense on the sidelines. I think Dylan Cook can easily handle Will Anderson! On Defense I think the Steelers can make the Texans one dimensional in this game....that could allow the Steelers OLB'ers to come after CJ Stroud. He's a pocket passer and not a very mobile QB. Hit them, hurt them and make them feel pain! This is how you win in January!
 
Watch Deebo from about the 9:25 point to the end. He says DeMeco Ryans is trying to play the disrespect card...when it's actually the Steelers D that is being disrespected.

"Every man whoop a man, and every good man whoop two!"
 
If im the steelers im playing gainwell in the slot and moving him around. WITH Warren in the back field.
Im throwing screens,,, but to the tight ends.

Im also running counters and wind back guts to take advantage of their aggressive defense.
ie jumbo pkg runs to the back side.

Rodgers will throw those middle passes if and when they become available.
 
So this game will come down to possibly (if Steelers are leading in the 4th) two factors.

1. 4th quarter outcomes

Steelers and Texans are on the opposite 4th quarter spectrums. One highly excels in them the other well doesn’t.

If the Steelers find a way to be leading come the 4th quarter they better continue playing like they are behind. Jags had a significant lead on the Texans and they still came back and won. Steelers had a lead on the Packers and we know how that game turned out.

So they need to stay aggressive the whole game, it is there only chance to secure victory.

2. The weather.

Stroud is 0-3 in sub-32°F games. So if the Steelers can keep the pressure on maybe good things. They have to win the turnover battle. AARon has to play like he is capable and not like he is ready for the retirement home.
 
I did notice also Texans excel against man coverage. If the Steelers play man coverage Porter will need to play Collins well. If they play zone they better double cover their TE.

Steelers have struggled against winning TOP but IMO to win this game they will need to win it. If Texans have a lead going into the 4th and can pin their ears back and rush - not good things.

So hopefully the Steeler have done their homework..

I think making it look like man and dropping it off into zone could help.

Hopefully DK has a positive impact too.
 
Not sure the Texans have the offense to run away with it, as long as the Steelers offense doesn't turn the ball over several times.

I think the Texans will win, but I honestly feel better about this one with Dylan Cook at LT than I would have with Broderick Jones still playing.

The Steelers blocking overall has been noticeably better with Cook, and that's important against a defense like the Texans.

Running is probably going to be tough, but getting Metcalf back is a pretty big deal, as hopefully it opens up more room for Rodgers and Freiermuth to continue some of what they established last week.

Seriously, if they don't target Freiermuth 5+ times in this game, they may as well just trade him in the off-season because that contract makes no sense otherwise.
If the Steelers utilized their TE’s a lot more, they would be decent on offense.


Don’t know why since Ben and Miller dropped off they have been allergic to the middle of the field
 
I like the match up tonight. I hope they keep CJ upright. Call me crazy, but I'd rather the Steelers face CJ vs Davis Mills-I get the Kelly Holcomb vibe from him. I like the Steelers defense matchup vs the Texans offense. The defensive backs have played solid. I like our CB matchup vs the Texan receivers. Collins vs Porter Jr will be fun to watch. DeSean Elliott hinted at possibly being back we shall see. Having him back could be huge-though I think Ramsey at Safety (with the exception of the Ravens game) has been a plus.

Getting Metcalf back rested is huge. I liked what they were doing in Detroit with him along with MVS and Thielen. Metcalf was moving around more from split to slot (I've noticed Rodgers moving him to the slot when he was seeing zone). The Texans play a lot of zone so I expect Rodgers to move guys around more to exploit them and try to catch them in man coverage. Moving DK around will cause the Texans to decide whether to cover DK or Muth on the inside. I also expect to see more pony from the offense. Gainwell and Warren on the field together also causes some issues. They are mostly the same style of running back so Rodgers a run a tempo offense with them as well. Gainwell is a best in the slot and can flop with Warren. I also like the Steelers rush vs the Texans defense. This has a lot to do with how the line has been blocking and setting up the run. Both Gainwell and Warren are excellent at taking a fraction of a hole for positive yardage vs what we have seen from Najee. The pass rush might get home to Rodgers a couple of times tonight. They are that good but I hope the offensive line can step up like they have weeks past.
 
As stillwright mentioned, they need to play to win and not Tomlin's gameplan of playing not to lose.

If they start off the same as their last 6 playoff games, it will be over in the first 15 minutes of the game.
 
I did notice also Texans excel against man coverage. If the Steelers play man coverage Porter will need to play Collins well. If they play zone they better double cover their TE.

Steelers have struggled against winning TOP but IMO to win this game they will need to win it. If Texans have a lead going into the 4th and can pin their ears back and rush - not good things.

So hopefully the Steeler have done their homework..

I think making it look like man and dropping it off into zone could help.

Hopefully DK has a positive impact too.
So two things analysts have consistantly pointed out about our pass D this season is

A. They dont play zone well
B. They dont disguise coverages well
Which is likely why the pass D ranking is where it is
 
Honestly, there is no way we beat New England again in New England, so tonight’s game would be nice to win, but it then it just ends next week.
 
I believe that this will be a defensive battle. The Steelers front four vs their bad offensive line is a solid win for the Steelers, but the Defensive line of the Texans vs the Steeler's Oline is a slight advantage for the Texans. Rogers gets the ball out quickly, so I don't see him getting hit often, but the Steelers are a one-dimensional team, run first, short throws, stack the box and be predictable. Tomlin turtles in big games going ultra conservative and the Texans D is going to eat. The game will be decided by 4 points or less.

Queue Sonny and Cher - "I got you babe"
 
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