Texans vs. Steelers: Breaking Down Pittsburgh's Game Plan

Well, it is Week 7 of the NFL season, and everything in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ world is all even. Pittsburgh has hobbled its way to a 3-3 record and are still searching for answers about some humbling losses.

This week, against the Houston Texans, the Steelers have a chance to right the ship.

This Monday night, the Steelers start a three-game homestand that could prove to be the most pivotal stretch of all for this struggling franchise. Getting three at home in a row is rare, and having two of them be prime-time affairs only compounds the pressure.

Even though we have learned that history means nothing, there is some historical data to suggest that the Steelers are going to beat the Texans on Monday night.  

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The @Steelers have won 15 straight Monday Night home games, the longest streak in #MNF history.

— ESPN Monday Night (@ESPNMondayNight) October 15, 2014"

I would love to say that this counts for something, but after losing to the Cleveland Browns last week, there is really nothing that any Pittsburgh fan can be certain of anymore.

Nevertheless, in breaking down the Texans, there are things about their game that the Steelers can exploit. In order to do that, Pittsburgh needs to find a way to get the coaches and players on the same page.

Right now, there is no bigger hindrance to this team’s success than itself.

When the Steelers Are on Offense

Is this the week that the Steelers finally solve the mystery of how to score more points? Pittsburgh has been held to 10 points or fewer the past two games, and they are treating the red zone like the Bermuda Triangle. Scoring drives go in, never to be seen again.

The Steelers’ offense is loaded with talent. From quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Le’Veon Bell to wide receiver Antonio Brown and even guard David DeCastro, there are potential Pro Bowl players everywhere.

The problem? Don’t ask me. Head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff recognize that there need to be changes in both scheme and personnel in order to generate points commensurate with the talent (per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

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Schematics and the personnel that we’re utilizing needs to be evaluated. … We can’t fail in that area, particularly when we’re working short-handed defensively with some backup-like people in. We have to score when we put the ball in scoring position and we haven’t done it consistently enough and we better fix it.

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Yes, you had better fix it. The question is how can you fix a situation like this? Against the Texans, it is all about putting the players in positions to have success, which in turn will give them confidence. I really don’t think you can undersell the concept of tailoring an offense to the players—not the other way around. Please read this offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The Texans defense has been gashed all season through the air. Houston is allowing 271.5 yards per game passing. This puts them No. 28 in the league. This is where the Steelers need to begin. And no, not with lots of horizontal throws. The Steelers need to come out and attack the Texans over the top.

This means Brown along with wide receiver Markus Wheaton must win their one-on-one matchups against coverage and overwhelm the Houston safeties. Haley has done a nice job with play design to force defenses into shifts and adjustments, which then give Pittsburgh a favorable matchup it can exploit.

Bringing rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant into the mix could make this easier. 

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Tomlin hints more Martavis Bryant, Dan McCullers, & Brice McCain this week. Why not, but not exactly Plax, Hampton & DeShea in their primes

— Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) October 14, 2014"

However, it is probably best that everyone temper their enthusiasm about the big rookie.

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Ben Roethlisberger said he worked w Martavis Bryant for the first time this season but needs more time before he comments on the rookie WR.

— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) October 15, 2014"

But in order for it to work, the offensive line must keep Big Ben clean, and wide receivers have to haul in passes when they arrive. Oh, and speaking of keeping Roethlisberger clean, the highest priority of a struggling pair of offensive tackles is slowing down defensive end J.J. Watt. When you consider that Watt is a relatively svelte 6’5” and 289 pounds, his ability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses is even more remarkable.

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Watt’s impact is going to cause the Steelers to do one of two things. Either Haley trots out the big packages and uses tight ends Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth to help on the edges. Or, he rolls with the spread formations, uses Bell as an extra blocker and focuses the passing game on quick-hitters that gets the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hand quickly.

Letting the pass set up the run should offer Bell some lanes with which to work. His patience and agility have been a thing of beauty this year. The second-year back is currently second in the league with 132 yards of offense per game. The Texans run defense is allowing 4.4 yards per carry, which should be very encouraging for Steeler fans.

Running Bell, throwing to Brown—these are the things this team does well. There’s no reason to overthink the plan. Put the football in the hands of your best players and let them make plays. 

When the Steelers Are on Defense

Is this the week that Pittsburgh finally stops the flood of scoring? Pittsburgh has allowed at least 26 points in four of the team’s first six games. To say that is uncharacteristic is an understatement. Unfortunately, the plan to get this team younger and more athletic hasn’t come to fruition.

But as Bob Dylan once said, “I feel a change comin on”. As mentioned in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette piece referenced above, it sounds like rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt is going to get his first start at defensive end, as Cam Thomas moves inside to start at nose tackle.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Even “bigger” news is that massive rookie defensive tackle Daniel McCullers might get to slap on the game jersey and get some reps. Pittsburgh has been getting pushed around inside, so why not drop 352 pounds of beef along the line to plug some rushing lanes?

Personnel aside, the Steelers must do a better job on defense at maintaining gap integrity. This may sound like a broken record, but you only have to look at the two games against the Browns to see what happens when the Steelers overpursue and give up their lanes. It creates holes for backs to run through, and sets them up for play-action fakes and that means big plays in the passing game.

We aren’t building a rocket ship here folks. The Texans struggle to throw the ball, but have been able to keep teams honest with a consistent rushing attack. Pittsburgh must come in planning to stuff the run and dictate when the Texans will throw the football.

If this means dialing up some run blitzes on early downs, so be it. It is time to stop being passive, and if they are going to give up yards and points, do it because they are being aggressive. Sitting back and letting a team pick them apart is not how the Steelers play football.

Prediction and Implications

Monday night’s game is the first of a three-game run at home that the Steelers must win. Houston and Pittsburgh are both chasing teams ahead of them, so you can bet the visiting Texans will be pressing as well.

If Tomlin and his staff want to keep their seats cool, it must start on Monday. They have to get the best players on the field and set them up with opportunities to make plays. If they can do that for four quarters, they will win this game.

Steelers 34, Texans 27

All stats courtesy of NFL.com.