Category: 2020 Steelers vs. Texans NFL Week 3

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson says he’s fine after Mike Tomlin confirms concussion

Do you think Diontae Johnson will play this week?

After the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-21 win over the Houston Texans, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed wide receiver Diontae Johnson did indeed suffer a concussion during the game.

But after the game, Johnson took to Twitter to let everyone know he was fine. This sounds great but the NFL concussion protocol is very stringent and so heading into a week of preparation for the Tennessee Titans it is unclear if Johnson will be available.

In Johnson’s place, rookie Chase Claypool stepped in and played the most snaps of any wide receiver on the team on Sunday. If Johnson isn’t available this week, look for an expanded role for Claypool as well as James Washington as part of the scheme adjustment.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on Mike Hilton: ‘He’s a tough little football player’

Mike Hilton had another great game.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have multiple players working on the final year of their respective contracts. One of those players is cornerback Mike Hilton. Through three games, Hilton is making a strong case to be the best defensive back on the Steelers roster.

After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media after the team’s 28-21 win over the Houston Texans and when asked about Hilton offered up his assessment in the most Tomlin way possible, referring to him as a “tough little football player.”

Hilton might be somewhat diminutive in the size but to use the old cliche’, he plays much bigger. It doesn’t matter what the Steelers ask of him, he comes through. Against the Texans, Hilton led the team with seven tackles, has an interception and a tackle for loss.

If Hilton keeps up this pace, he’s going to price himself way out of what the Steelers can afford.

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Steelers come alive in 2nd half, finish off Texans 28-21

Pittsburgh took over the game in the fourth quarter.

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After a sloppy first half, the Pittsburgh Steelers came out after halftime and gave the Houston Texans a big dose of Steelers football on the way to an impressive 28-21 comeback win. The win puts the Steelers at 3-0 for the first time since 2010 and the Texans fall to 0-3.

Offensively it was all about balance. We said the Steelers could not afford to give up on the run game and Pittsburgh listened. The Steelers ran with football 38 times for 169 yards with RB James Conner getting 109 of those on 18 carries.

After a sloppy start by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, he settled down and finished with 236 passing yards and two passing scores. More importantly, Roethlisberger didn’t turn the football over and was only sacked twice.

The Steelers defense was a mixed bag. When the pass rush was working to the tune of five sacks, they make Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson look mortal. When they didn’t, Watson was able to pick the secondary apart.

But the run defense remains the standard. Pittsburgh just bottled up the Houston rushing offense, only allowed 29 yards for the game.

Next week the Steelers travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans.

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Watch Steelers TE Eric Ebron get his first TD with Pittsburgh

Eric Ebron gets his first touchdown of the season.

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Maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers really do listen to the critics. All week we kept hearing about how the Steelers hadn’t gotten new tight end Eric Ebron involved enough in the Pittsburgh passing attack. Ebron changed that when he hauled in his first touchdown as a Steeler in the first half against the Houston Texans.

The mismatches Ebron can create are so good, Pittsburgh cannot ignore him. You can see on this play just how effective he can be if he’s given the opportunities.

Should the Steelers keep feeding the football to Ebron? Let us know in the comments.

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Steelers stumble through much of first half, trail Houston 21-17

The Steelers have struggled against the winless Texans.

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I suppose we are all going to just have to live with the fact the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t fast starters. Pittsburgh was down as much as 14-3 to the Houston Texans in the first half and looked completely out of sorts.

But right on schedule the defense stepped up and make some stops, the offense found its rhythm and things seem right in the world again. Pittsburgh took a 17-14 lead late in the first half off two beautiful scoring drives by Pittsburgh capped by touchdown passes by Ben Roethlisberger.

Houston got the football back with less than two minutes to go but Houston quarterback never panicked. He marched his team down the field, carving up the Steelers secondary and giving the Texans a 21-17 lead going into halftime.

The Steelers signature pass rush has been non-existent in the first half and if there’s one correction Pittsburgh must make at halftime, it’s how to get pressure on Watson.

Pittsburgh will get the football to start the second half.

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Steelers WR Diontae Johnson being evaluated for a concussion

Diontae Johnson is questionable to return.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers currently trail the Houston Texans last in the first half and may have to get back into this game without one of their top weapons. According to the team, wide receiver Diontae Johnson is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return.

Johnson has been the team’s most consistent wide receiver so far this season. Johnson had yet to catch a pass on Sunday. If Johnson is unable to return look for Chase Claypool and James Washington to get plenty of snaps in his place.

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Steelers vs Texans inactives: RB Anthony McFarland active for Pittsburgh

The inactives for today’s game are out.

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For the second week in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hedging their bets at the running back position by having four active running backs and a fullback. The Steelers are set to square off with the Houston Texans and both teams have revealed their inactives for the game.

Pittsburgh has the usual suspects on their inactive list. The return of guard David DeCastro means Derwin Gray won’t dress for the game and once again fan-favorite linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III is inactive.

For the Texans, nose tackle Ross Blacklock is the one name that stands out. Blacklock was ejected last week for throwing a punch and is a healthy scratch this week, presumably as some sort of punishment.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin offers sincere message to fans

Mike Tomlin lets the fans know how much the team misses them in the stadium.

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As hard as it is for Pittsburgh Steelers fans to not be at Heinz Field for games, it is just as hard, if not harder for the team to play without Steeler Nation supporting them.

Head coach Mike Tomlin echoed this sentiment in a brief video message where he thanked the fans for their continued support in whatever form that may take. Tomlin also noted he and the entire team are looking forward to the time when they can play in front of the fans again.

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Welcome to episode 4 of the Steelers Wire podcast

Check out this week’s podcast.

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We are back with another episode of the Steelers Wire podcast.

The podcast is once again hosted by Ryan O’Leary (@RyanOLearySMG on Twitter) and I’ll join him each week to break down the latest Steelers news.

Everything from the latest info on the team to fantasy football advice will be covered, along with some opinions on the betting lines, all with a focus on the Steelers.

In Episode 4 of the podcast, we talk this week’s matchup with the Houston Texans and what I expect to see from the Steelers. The Steelers have been winning but it hasn’t been pretty. This week is the biggest test the Steelers will face this season. Can the Steelers defense shut down Deshaun Watson? Is Ben Roethlisberger ready for a shootout?

You can listen to the second episode below:

As always, you can catch a new episode each Thursday on Apple Podcasts or your podcast service of choice.

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Steelers vs Texans: How to watch, listen and stream this week’s game

Don’t miss this week’s Steelers game.

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Here is everything you need to know so you can watch, listen to or stream this week’s Pittsburgh Steelers game. This week the undefeated Steelers take on the winless Houston Texans and hope to get off to their first 3-0 start since 2010.

Game information:

Houston Texans (0-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)

Kickoff: Sunday September 27, 1:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Heinz Field

Broadcast:

Television: CBS

 (play-by-play) Ian Eagle

 (commentary) Charles Davis

(sideline) Evan Washburn

Online: You can also tune in online with NFL Game Pass and FuboTV (try it for free).

Radio: Westwood One and Steeler Nation Radio will have the game, as well as WDVE 102.5 FM & WBGG 970, AM local.

You can also follow the game with us @TheSteelersWire and of course here on Steelers Wire with our live updates during the game, along with highlights of all the key moments from this week’s game. Join us straight after the final whistle for more in-depth coverage, injury updates, and analysis of all the action.

Special West Virginia betting promotion! Bet $1 on the Pittsburgh Steelers money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if the Steelers score a touchdown vs. the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Place your legal, online sports bets in WV at BetMGM Sportsbook. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

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