Pittsburgh Steelers Vs Houston Texans GameDay, TV/Radio, And Preview
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) seek to get over the .500 mark and claim their fourth victory on Monday night as they host the Houston Texans (3-3) at Heinz Field.
Both teams want to escape the chains of mediocrity. Outside of their victory over Cleveland in Week 1 to start the season 1-0, the Black and Gold have not been above .500 since December of 2012. While the crew from Houston finished with the worst record in the National Football League last season at 2-14.
The two squads are coming off losses from last week, as Pittsburgh fell to the Browns in Cleveland 31-10 while the Texans were beaten by the Indianapolis Colts 33-28 in Houston.
When:Monday, Oct. 20
Kickoff:8:30 p.m. ET
Where:Heinz Field
Playing Surface:Natural Grass
Series History:Began in 2002
Overall Series:Tied at 2-2
Last Meeting in Houston:Oct 2, 2011 – Texans won 17-10 at Reliant Stadium
Last Meeting in Pittsburgh:Sept. 7, 2008 – Steelers won 38-17 at Heinz Field
Television:ESPN
Announcers:Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden with Lisa Salters on the sideline
Radio:WDVE 102.5 FM / WBGG 970 AM – Steelers Radio Network
Announcers:Bill Hillgrove andTunch IlkinwithCraig Wolfleyon the sideline
Sirius XM Satellite Radio:Sirius Channel 226, XM Channel 824
Spanish Radio:Available on Steelers.com (http://www.steelers.com/espanol.)
Live Stream:NFL Sunday Ticket (http://nflst.directv.com/DTVAPP/nflws/index.jsp)
Audio Stream:NFL Audio Pass (https://audiopass.nfl.com/)
Odds:Steelers -3.5 per Bovada Online Sportsbook. The Over/Under is at 45.
Weather Channel Online Forecast:Cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers and the temperature in the low 50’s.
If Pittsburgh can make effective use of its ground game, they should be able to open up the passing attack and manage the game clock against the Texans.Le’Veon Bellranks second in the league in scrimmage yards with 793 and rushing yards with 542. Last week in Cleveland, the 6-foot-1, 244-pound running back had 82 yards on 18 carries and four receptions for 23 yards.
Dick LeBeau‘s crew has sacked quarterbackRyan Fitzpatrick10 times in three previous meetings. Defensive endsCameron HeywardandBrett Keiselhave 21 quarterback pressures this season.
Injuries for the Steelers:Out –Steve McLendon,Shamarko Thomas, andIke Taylor. Questionable –Ryan Shazier. Probable – Brett Keisel,Michael Mitchell,Troy Polamalu, Cameron Heyward, andWill Johnson.
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On the other sideline,Arian Fosterhas 644 scrimmage yards which is good for fourth in the NFL and 513 rushing yards which ranks third. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound former Tennessee Vol has four touchdowns over the last two weeks and at least 100 yards in four of five games this season.
The Steelers offensive line will have their hands full with defensive endJ.J. Watt, who leads the Houston defense with four sacks while linebackerBrian Cushingis back in Pro Bowl form as he checks in with 30 solo tackles and has assisted on 19 more stops for a total of 49 in addition to one sack.
Injuries for the Texans:Out – CornerbackDarryl Morris. Questionable – linebackersJadeveon ClowneyandMike Mohamed. Probable – running back Arian Foster, wide receiversDeAndre HopkinsandAndre Johnson, offensive linemenBrandon Brooks,Chris Myers, andDerek Newton, defensive linemenTim Jamisonand J.J. Watt, linebackersBrooks Reed,Jeff Tarpinian, and Brian Cushing, and cornerbackJohnathan Joseph.
Up Next:The middle contest of this three-game homestand is set for Sunday, Oct. 26 as the Black and Gold host the Indianapolis Colts (5-2) at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on CBS.