Know Your Enemy, Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans

The Pittsburgh Steelers look to build upon its sterling start to the season when they play host to the Houston Texans.

Location/Time

1PM EDT Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will once again play within its home stadium, Heinz field. The Steelers are 2-1 against theTexans at home including winning its last two games consecutively. Since the Texans were brought into the league, the Steelers hold the all time series lead at 4-2.

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Texans Best Player(s)

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It wouldn't be right to only include one player in this spot. J.J. Watt is healthy and looks like he hasn't missed a step, and Deshaun Watson is the leagues second highest paid quarterback for a reason. Both players are capable of making the impossible happen, and if the Texans are to win this game, expect these two to play a major role.

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Weakest position group

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There was a couple ways I could have gone about this category. However, the Texans offensive line’s pressure rate allowed coupled with the Steelers defense’s pressure generated it became an easy choice. Sophomore right tackle, Tytus Howard has been nursing an ankle injury and must go toe to toe with T.J. Watt. Laremy Tunsil is a solid left tackle, but the unit as a collective can be lazy, giving up sacks when a play looks to be perfectly blocked. Texans analyst, Seth Payne noted that late sacks should be something to watch for.

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Coaching

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No matter what you think of Bill O’Brien the coach, people won't be able to look past Bill O’Brien the general manager and some of the bizarre moves that he has made this offseason. The NFL schedule makers did O’Brien no favors either, giving the Texans the three best teams in the AFC (and potentially NFL) consecutively to start the season. A 0-3 start might not cost O’Brien his job, but there is potential he’s run out of town by seasons end.

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How will the Texans attack the Steelers defense

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Quick passes, and finding David Johnson/Duke Johnson room to run is paramount for Houston. Long developing plays could see Deshawn Watson running for his life, and I don't like the matchups out wide for the Texans receivers. Brandon Cooks will have to keep the safeties honest so Watson can hit Will Fuller or Kenny Stills underneath.

I don’t think the Texans matchup well against the Steelers defense at all. This should be a clinic for T.J. Watt and company.

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How will the Broncos defend the Steelers offense

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The Houston Texans defense flows through J.J. Watt and his ability to take on, and defeat double team by himself. The Steelers will have to find a way to limit Watt’s ability to take the game over himself. The Texans have only allowed a total of 380 yards through two games but are allowing 75% completion rate. They will send heat at Ben Roethlisberger.

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Watt, Watt, Goose?

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All eyes will be on J.J., Derek, and T.J. Watt throughout this entire game. It’s only the third time in the history of the NFL that three brothers have played in the same game. It’s also only the second time two former All-Pro brothers will face off (the last being Tiki, and Ronde Barber in 2006). J.J. Watt is only two sacks away from 100 on his career, and T.J. is three shy of 40.

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X-Factor

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If the Texans want to have a real chance of winning this game, they are going to need David Johnson to look how he looked in the first half against the Chiefs for a full 60 minutes against the Steelers. If the Texans can’t establish the run, and Deshaun Watson has to drop back 50 times, I wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers had a double digit sack day. Johnson needs to be on from the opening whistle and can't fade into oblivion.

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Sunday, 1PM EDT. We will see how this all plays out.