Steelers vs. Texans: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

In what is likely to be billed as a battle of an elite defense and an elite offense, the 2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to the lone star state to take on the 2-1 Houston Texans in a battle for conference supremacy.

The Steelers got off to an inauspicious start this season by losing, 35-7, to the Baltimore Ravens, but they have bounced back with back-to-back victories. The defense seems to have stabilized after a rough start and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been excellent.

Houston dominated the now hapless Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 and picked up another win in Week 2 before losing a shootout to the New Orleans Saints last week. Even without the services of running back Arian Foster, the Texans offense has been firing on all cylinders, and the defense looked much-improved prior to last week.

Where: Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas

When: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS; KDKA (Pittsburgh) and KHOU (Houston)

Listen: WDVE 102.5 FM (Pittsburgh) and KILT 610 AM (Houston); Sirius XM Radio: XM 228 (Internet 864)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Texans (-4)

What's at Stake?

At 2-1, both the Steelers and Texans are among the best teams in their respective divisions and figure to be two of the best squads in the entire AFC. Regardless of who wins the game, both teams have an excellent shot at making the postseason this year.

The game may be a bit more dire for the Steelers, since they would seem to have a tougher road to the division title with the Ravens standing in their way. The Texans are contending with the Tennessee Titans at the moment, but few believe the Titans can keep it up over the long haul.

Steelers' Injury Report

Out: OL Willie Colon (triceps—IR)

Questionable: DL Brett Keisel (knee), OL Chris Kemoeatu (knee), DB Bryant McFadden (hamstring)

Texans' Injury Report

Out: OL Darius Butler (triceps—IR)

Questionable: LB Mario Williams (knee), RB Arian Foster (hamstring), RB Derrick Ward (ankle) WR Jacoby Jones (knee)

What They're Saying

Despite a rash of injuries on the offensive line this season, the Steelers have no intention of signing any reinforcements. In fact, head coach Mike Tomlin is prepared to go into Houston with what they already have on their roster, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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"Make no mistake, we intend to prepare with the men that we have here," Tomlin said Tuesday. "Those will be the guys that will help us win this football game. Anyone we add will be simply for the purposes of practice or numbers."
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While Pro Bowl running back Foster has been nagged by a hamstring injury throughout the first part of the regular season, head coach Gary Kubiak expects him to start for the Texans Sunday against the Steelers, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

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"He's fine," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He should be OK heading into the rest of the season now, hopefully. We'll keep our fingers crossed. He's chomping at the bit and ready to go, took his full load and we're okay."
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Steelers Player to Watch: RB Rashard Mendenhall

The 2011 season hasn't gotten off to a particularly great start for Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall. Through three games, Mendenhall has just 148 rushing yards and has found the end zone only once.

In addition to that, he has averaged a paltry three yards per carry. Pittsburgh has developed into more of a passing team, but Mendenhall is still key in opening up the passing game with effective running. The Texan defense was surprisingly good prior to last week, but the New Orleans Saints exposed them in both phases of the game. Mendenhall will need to step up in Week 4.

Texans Player to Watch: WR Andre Johnson

There is simply no more physically-imposing or dominant wide receiver in the NFL than the Texans' Andre Johnson. Through three games, Johnson has been excellent, catching seven balls in each contest for a total of 316 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Steelers have had easy matchups the bast two weeks, they were very vulnerable against the pass against Joe Flacco and the Ravens in Week 1. Houston running backs may find the sledding tough against Pittsburgh, so Johnson may need to have yet another incredible game if Houston hopes to come out on top.

Key Matchup: Matt Schaub vs. Pittsburgh Pass Rush

There is no question that the thing that makes the Steelers defense go is its pass rush. The combination of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley is as good as it gets in the NFL, and they have been making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks for a long time together.

Matt Schaub is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the league, but the Houston signal caller is more of a pocket passer with little mobility. With that in, mind if the Steeler pass rush can get in his face, then it could disrupt the entire rhythm of the Texan offense. If Schaub makes quick decisions, however, Pittsburgh could be in trouble.

On the Hot Seat: Texans RB Foster

After an incredible 1,600-yard 2010 season, it seems unlikely that Foster would be supplanted by Ben Tate for the starting running back job. Tate has played well in Foster's absence, though, and Foster has been unable to stay on the field.

It will be very important for Foster to get through Sunday's game injury-free, regardless of whether or not he receives the majority of the carries. Further injury would not only be damaging to his psyche, but it might cause the Texan coaching staff to view Tate as the more reliable back.

Prediction

Steelers 31, Texans 27