Steelers vs. Texans Preview, Vol. 1 - A Look At The 2007 Texans By The Numbers

by Michael Bean on Sep 2, 2008 4:46 AM EDT

We've got a game this week, so let's start off our coverage of Week 1 against the Houston Texans with a look at the 2007 version of the Texans by the numbers

44.6 - 3rd down completion % in 2007, the 7th best mark in the league.

14 - Sacks by former #1 overall Draft Pick Mario Williams

8 - Sacks by Williams in the month of December (wow)

9 - TD Passes and INTs thrown by QB Matt Schaub (wasn't he advertised as better than that? Did Sage Rosenfels really cast doubts as to who should be the starter? More later on this)

773 - Top rushing mark by Texans RB last year (Ron Dayne)

0 - % likelihood the Texans have a 100-yard rusher in this game - the top 2 HOU RBs going into the season are on the shelf with injurys.

11 - INTs by Houston defense in 2007, the lowest mark in the league

25 - Total Takeaways by Houston defense, the same number as the Pittsburgh D

-13 - Turnover margin for the Texans, the third worst mark in the league, and by far the worst differential of any team that was .500 or better.

0 - # of winning streaks longer than 2 games by Houston in 2007

0 - # of winning streaks longer than 2 games in Houston Texans franchise history (let that one sink in for a moment!)

94.6 - Highest yards/game total of any WR in the NFL last year, set by Andre Johnson. Granted, he played just 9 games, but when he's out there, he's downright scary.

246 - Total Tackles between LBs DeMeco Ryans and Morlon Greenwood. Ryan may just be the best defensive player in the NFL you've never heard about.

9 - Fear factor, on scale of 1 to 10, of the Texans defensive line. We may not play a better front four all year as a matter of fact, given what's happened to the Giants' top pass-rush threats this offseason. More on this later, but isn't it going to be fun to watch all the doubt about our O-Line come creeping back after Week 1, even though we might be facing our toughest pass protection test all year?

Much more Texans coverage forthcoming.

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Comments

There’s an absolute insane amount of information strangely available on the steelers site:

http://news.steelers.com/MediaContent/2008/09/01/07/Steelers_notes_for_Texans_game_95239.pdf

by steelguy99 on Sep 2, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Completely

insane.

But I’ll have you know I did read this entire link thoroughly, twice, and I’ll have you know these numbers guarantee a win Sunday. lol

by herewegosteelers on Sep 2, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Challenge

I like the opening game this week – not a pushover but not an elite team – a nice warm up that should prove to be a W. I will be keeping an eye on the O Line and it will be interesting to see how the Timmons/Woodley combo looks in their first big time action.

by smashmouthsteel on Sep 2, 2008 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

I sort of wish we were playing an elite team. I would hate to see us flail against anything less.

I was not happy last year when we played teams with glaring faults (jets, cards, etc.) that we never seemed to be able to exploit, or when we played teams with a good D-line. I didn’t see any texan games last year, but I’m scared of their D-line from what Blitz says. I hope they are practicing dumpoffs, because the line will NOT hold – as much as we want to hope and pray otherwise.

by steelguy99 on Sep 2, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Schaub

Maybe the better stat is that Schaub is able to post an 87.2 passer rating with a 9:9 ratio. That’s not fantastic or anything, but it’s a pretty good first season, and it means he had very good ypa and comp %. Also, he was only sacked 16 times in the 9 and 2 half games he played. If you’re completing a lot of your passes and not taking sacks, it means you’re sustaining drives. He has question marks with the picks and durability, but he’s shown that he has a lot of upside to build around, and he was at least a part of the early stages of their turnaround last year.

Agreed about the DL, though. They’re one of the best this side of the Vikings. Speaking of which, is there a “Williams” gene that make you a good DL? Mario, Kevin, and Pat should team up to form the NFL’s version of The Incredibles. Anyway, Marvel played proficiently against Allen; how will he look against Mario?

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Sep 2, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

rating

I noticed that high QB rating as well. I also noticed they were pretty good on 3rd down, so he must have been fairly accurate in critical situations.

by Michael Bean on Sep 2, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Texicans

When I think of this game I think of the game last season in which they beat up on a highly regarded and favored Jags team. I mean they beat them up physically and mentally. I do not take this game lightly. They should be an improved team. I’m looking for a Steeler win, but not a blow out, although that would be a nice season opener, as well as a good tune up for the Browns.

by steelersrock08 on Sep 2, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

they are quite physical

I agree, I do not take this one lightly either. I think the fact that it’s at Heinz tips the scales in our favor. Also, unless they really commit to making the run work, I think we can put a serious hurt on Schaub.

by Michael Bean on Sep 2, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

i believe

it’s demeco ryans, not ryan.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Sep 2, 2008 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

correct

You’re right. Thanks.

by Michael Bean on Sep 2, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Just Win Baby

3-2 and 50’s happy!

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Sep 2, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

Bigtime test for the O-line out of the gates.

Marvel and Hartwig will be tested early and often on Sunday.
Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye have developed into a fearsome duo on that Texans D-line. Also as someone earlier stated Demeco Ryans is an elite MLB in the NFL.
Our defense should have the upper hand over their offense, but I look for our offense to have a big challenge against the stingy Texan’s defense.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Sep 2, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions