Tag: Steelers vs. Texans

Steelers LB Payton Wilson makes bold statement after rookie debut

Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson shined in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason opener vs. the Houston Texans.

In action typical of the first game in seven months, the Pittsburgh Steelers were rusty on both sides of the ball in the first game of the 2024 season.

Several highlights and standout players, including rookie linebacker Payton Wilson, came from Pittsburgh’s preseason loss to the Houston Texans.

Wilson finished his NFL debut as the leader in tackles with seven, including one for loss. In coverage, Wilson forced an incomplete pass of Texans’ John Metchie III.

“I’m more worried about the plays that I’ve missed, rather than the ones that I made,” Wilson told the media, via Sports Illustrated’s Bo Marchionete. “There’s always room to improve. My goal is to be the best in the world and there’s definitely a lot of room to get to that.”

Being the best in the world is certainly a bold statement, but something that every athlete strives for. Pittsburgh’s third-round pick has his entire pro career ahead of him to make that happen.

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Steelers QB Justin Fields shoulders blame in offensive struggles vs. Texans

As any good leader does, Justin Fields shouldered the blame in the Steelers’ offensive struggles against the Texans.

As any good leader does, Justin Fields shouldered the blame in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive struggles against the Houston Texans. He didn’t throw veteran lineman Nate Herbig under the bus, but he easily could have.

“I think the snapping part, we’ve just got to be on the same page,” Fields said after the game. “I will put that on me to just be on the same page and know who’s in at center, know how to adjust and what I need to do next in the game.”

Herbig, who started the game at center over second-round rookie Zach Frazier, and Fields had two fumbled exchanges in just three drives which is inexcusable, even in preseason.

“I think, overall, we ran the ball well, moved the ball well,” said Fields. “I think, just a summary of the game, we were just shooting ourselves in the foot, fumbled snaps, I think all three phases. We could definitely be better on that part.”

The Steelers’ offense came out solid with Fields starting the game a perfect five-for-five. “I feel like I was in a good rhythm… I think the overall rhythm of things, we were in and out of the huddle fast and felt good overall.”

Fields finished the night five-for-six with 67 yards passing. Unfortunately, Houston’s starting defense helped keep Pittsburgh from marching down the field to score.

The Steelers stay home for their second preseason game, welcoming the Buffalo Bills to Acrisure. While it’s undetermined who will start at quarterback, Mike Tomlin did say Friday night that Russell Wilson will play.

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Rare QB call sign of rough night for Steelers in first game of 2024 season

The false start penalty on quarterback Kyle Allen is just another indication of how well the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Friday night is going. 

Thanks to the second-team offense, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally found the endzone near the end of the third quarter. However, in the previous five drives, they were playing JV ball.

On their first offensive drive after falling behind 17-0 in the first half, Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen was called for a five-yard false start penalty.

It’s a call rarely made on the quarterback and just another indication of how well the Steelers Friday night is going.

While Pittsburgh made mistakes and miscues on both sides of the ball, the offense stood out as one that needed the most polishing. Center-to-quarterback exchanges (Nate Herbig-Justin Fields) were fumbled twice in three drives. No thanks to the starting offensive line, quarterbacks were pressured all game and the run game sputtered.

The Steelers have just three more training camp practices and one month until the start of the 2024 regular season. This game tape will be scrutinized, and hopefully, some lessons will be learned.

Thankfully, it’s only the preseason.

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin misses prime opportunity vs. Texans

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin missed prime opportunity to go through the challenge process in the first half versus Texans.

Just as players use the first live game action of the season to shake the rust off, so should the coaches. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin missed a prime opportunity to go through the challenge process in the first half.

On the Steelers’ third offensive drive of the game, Justin Fields threw a deep-ball pass slightly behind wide receiver Van Jefferson. Still, Jefferson made the 20-yard catch and, as shown on instant replay, got both feet in bounds. But the referees saw it otherwise. 

Tomlin looked indecisive on the sideline and opted not to take action. The Steelers gained seven total yards on the five plays that followed, forcing their third punt in as many drives.

In his 17-year career, Tomlin has a 43 percent success rate on challenges, with 40 calls overturned in 90 attempts.

It’s the preseason; there’s nothing to lose. Throw the flag.

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Steelers DL Keeanu Benton exits matchup vs. Texans early with injury

Steelers DL Keeanu Benton exited Texans game with apparent eye injury.

Second-year defensive lineman Keeanu Benton made an early from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first game of the preseason against the Houston Texans.

Shaken up, Benton pulled himself out of the first play of a second-quarter drive. Per TribLive’s Joe Rutter reported, Benton appeared to have gotten poked in the eye.

It’s likely we’ve seen the last of Pittsburgh’s starting nose tackle for week 1 of the preseason.

As usual, Mike Tomlin expects Benton to make that second-year leap in 2024. “Big things. He can grow in all areas. He’s a talented young guy with tremendous upside and room for growth in all areas.”

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Here’s what happened the last time the Steelers faced the Texans

Recapping the Steelers vs. Texans matchup from December 2017.

Sunday’s contest with the Houston Texans has two events of significance: It will be the first time that all three Watt brothers, T.J., J.J. and Derek, will be playing in the same game, and it’ll be the Steelers first time facing quarterback Deshaun Watson.

When the Steelers last faced the Texans in 2017, they were in a similar quarterback carousel situation to the Steelers last season. Tom Savage started the year but was benched at halftime in Week 2 in favor of rookie Deshaun Watson. Unfortunately, after six starts, Watson’s season abruptly ended when he tore his ACL in a Nov. 2 practice. The Texans went back to Savage, but he suffered a grade three concussion that December, so there were no real options at 4-10 than to hand the team over to reserve quarterback T.J. Yates.

The Steelers smothered the Texans in their Christmas Day dust-up and departed the Lone Star State with a 12-3 record. The Texans were unable to get into a groove with Yates in at quarterback and struggled mightily.

Big Ben had a big night as he was 20-for-29 on 226 yards for a 115 quarterback rating. He zipped a 49-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster that set up an 18-yard JuJu score three plays later. Roethlisberger had two touchdowns on the night after he also connected with wide receiver Justin Hunter. Elsewhere on offense, Le’Veon Bell added 97 all-purpose yards, and Martavis Bryant and Vance McDonald pitched in 60 and 52 yards receiving to Smith-Schuster’s 75.

4 big takeaways from the Steelers dominating Christmas win

Pittsburgh’s pass defense stood up Houston, holding Yates to 89 yards passing. He was also sacked six times and intercepted once (by Artie Burns, of all players). But the run defense was gashed by backs Alfred Blue and Lamar Miller for 163 yards. The Texans were only able to muster one score to newly-departed DeAndre Hopkins, which came with 12 minutes left.

Though the Texans run game is not what it once was, the same cannot be said through the air. Of course, we know the vast difference between facing Yates in 2017 and Watson in 2020.

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