Steelers 28 Texans 21

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                    Steelers Overcome Deficit, defeat Texans 28-21

Legendary Baseball manager Yogi Berra gave this famous 1973 quote “It ain’t over till it’s over.” As a result, his NY Mets overcame a huge deficit to advance to the World Series. The Pittsburgh Steelers fell behind 14-3 vs. the Houston Texans and they, like Yogi and the Mets, did not believe that it was over as they came from behind to beat the Houston Texans 28-21.

 

“You know, first I got to start off by tipping my cap to Coach O’Brien and the Houston Texans. They had a really good plan.” Said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “It took us a while to get adjusted to it. They made plays early on in all 3 phases and we were trying to find our rhythm.”

It was the type of game in which the Steelers had to really prove that they wanted it and as a result, they have started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2010, which was the last time they advanced to the Super Bowl.

Ask any Steeler and they will tell you that this game wasn’t perfect and it may not have gone the way that they envisioned it but in the end, they had more points than the other team and that’s all that matters in the standings.

‘We made some adjustments. More than anything I like the group’s ability to adjust and communicate during it. Kudos to the coaches and those guys for communicating and adjusting and not blinking.” Said Tomlin.

 

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to prove that he was the missing factor last season as he willed his offense to 2 much-needed TDs and key plays that also set up 2 Chris Boswell FGs. Big Ben went 23-36, 237 yards and his scores were to TE Eric Ebron and WR JuJu Smith- Shuster.

The other score went to RB James Conner, who scored on a 12-yard run which put the Steelers ahead for good. Conner also rushed for 109 yards (his second-straight 100-yard game) on 18 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 40 yards receiving. Rookie RB Anthony McFarland saw his first NFL action and he did not disappoint as he rushed for 42 yards on 6 carries. 2nd year RB Benny Snell Jr added 11 yards as the Steelers rushed for 169 yards as a team.

“I thought our utilization of all the backs was a good element of play for us.” Said Tomlin

Smith-Shuster led the Steelers with 43 yards receiving on 4 catches. Ebron added 36, WR James Washington added 36, TE Vance McDonald added 34 and rookie WR Chase Claypool added 24 on his only catch that helped seal the win for the Steelers.

But as it was stated before, it was not Pretty. In the first half, the Steelers had problems being a distraction to Texans QB DeShaun Watson (19/27, 264 yards, 2 TD, Int) exposed the Steelers

secondary with key passes. His scores went to WR Randall Cobb (4 catches 95 yards) and WR Will Fuller V (4 catches 54 yards) and RB David Johnson scored on a 3-yard run.

Big Ben’s 2 TDs gave the Steelers a 17-14 lead, but then the Texans scored right before the half when Watson found Fuller V for the 14-yard score to take a 21-14 lead. Watson looked unstoppable and the Steelers defense looked like they needed a recharge.

 

But in the second half, the Steelers defense woke up, got the charge they needed and did not allow a single point the rest of the game. They got to Watson (5 sacks) and intercepted him early in the 4th quarter as CB Mike Hilton helped end the Texans best chance at putting the game away. The Steelers offense capitalized from that turnover by charging downfield and taking the lead on Conner’s 12-yard run. Then the Steelers were able to extend it to 28-21 when Big Ben found Smith-Shuster for the 2-point conversion.

“The defense didn’t blink.” Said Tomlin “We gave up some possessions early. Sometimes that can put a bad taste in your mouth, but they didn’t allow it to spoil the day…I thought the turnover by Mike Hilton was enormous.”

The Texans (0-3) will now head home to host the Minnesota Vikings (0-3) meanwhile, the Steelers will prepare to travel to Tennessee to face the Titans (3-0) and All-Bowl RB Derrick Henry.

“It was a lot to be proud of in terms of the efforts.”-Said Tomlin. And their quest it to continue to prove that it ain’t over ‘till it’s over.

 


Notes: Pro-Bowl G David DeCastro made his 2020 debut after missing the first 2 games due to injury. The Steelers and Texans stood on opposite sides of the field during the National Anthem, which was performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Derek Watt(Hamstring) and WR Diontae Johnson (Concussion protocol) missed the rest of the game due to injuries.

Please e-mail Ray at [email protected]

Follow him @RP2872_jr on Twitter www.Steelers.com

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