Monday Night Football Week 7: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Texans vs. Steelers

The Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers both had playoff hopes earlier in the season, but they are now each looking to simply get over .500.

The Texans are 3-3, but they have lost three of their past four games after starting 2-0. The Steelers are also 3-3, but they are likely still smarting from a blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns and an earlier defeat to the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Here is a look at the essential information for this matchup before we dig into a preview and prediction.

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers

Date: Monday, Oct. 20

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN 

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Preview

There is one storyline in particular that is worth watching in this Monday night showdown: the Steelers offensive line against J.J. Watt and the rest of the Texans defensive line.

Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 17 times already this year, which was second in the league entering play Sunday. He has to now face the machine that is Watt, who led the NFL with 20 quarterback hits entering play Sunday to go along with his four sacks.

That’s not even mentioning the fact that Watt seems to find the end zone one way or another every time he takes the field. (He has three touchdowns this season, which is something fantasy football owners probably wish they could say about Calvin Johnson.)

David Richard/Associated Press

Don’t be surprised if the Texans get additional pressure on Roethlisberger without bringing a blitz, which would make life particularly difficult on the Pittsburgh wide receivers trying to get open.

Despite all the sacks and struggles along the offensive line, Roethlisberger has maintained his composure throughout the year, as running back Le’Veon Bell told STATS LLC, via ESPN.com. 

“Ben is always a calm guy in the huddle," said Bell. "Obviously when guys aren't making plays there's a little bit of frustration about everything. But he's not throwing fits or tantrums about anything. He understands guys are going to make mistakes.”

Marc Serota/Associated Press

The one thing that could help the Pittsburgh passing game is its rushing attack. The Steelers’ total of 824 rushing yards in the first six weeks of the season was second in the NFL entering play Sunday, while Houston has given up 125.7 yards per game on the ground.

A solid rushing attack would at least prevent Watt from pinning his ears back and attacking Roethlisberger on every pass. 

Pittsburgh isn’t the only team that will bring a solid running game to the table Monday. Arian Foster was third in the NFL with 513 rushing yards entering play Sunday and has 266 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games. Foster’s recent performances inspired a bold prediction from Marshall Faulk, via the NFL Network:

Yes, the Steelers have the home-field advantage and a dangerous running game going against a vulnerable Houston defense. However, the thought here is that the pressure on Roethlisberger will ultimately be too much.

The Texans could force some turnovers with the pass rush and then let the red-hot Foster go to work against a Steelers defense that gives up 111.2 rushing yards a game. The slide will continue in Pittsburgh. 

Prediction: Texans 24, Steelers 21

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