Houston Texans: 8 Reasons They Will Trounce the Pittsburgh Steelers at Home

The Houston Texans head into Week 4 coming off their first loss of the season. The New Orleans Saints proved to be capable of matching their high-powered offense point for point.

However, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't nearly as capable of matching the production of the Texans and put on a very underwhelming performance against the Indianapolis Colts last season.

These are two teams with matching records but seemingly different futures set for them. The Texans look primed to make their first ever playoff appearance, while the Steelers look like an aging team in somewhat of a transition.

With that said, here are all the reasons why the Texans will make it more known which team is the real deal. 

Texans' Running Game

The Houston Texans' running game hasn't missed a beat despite Arian Foster missing the first three games of the season. Ben Tate and the Houston rushing attack are ranked fifth in the league, averaging 138 yards per game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense hasn't been as stout as in past years at stopping the run. They are currently allowing 99.3 yards on the ground, up from the incredible 62.8 yards per game they held teams to last season.

In fact, the Steelers' defense is allowing the most yards on the ground that they've allowed since 2003. With the possible return of Foster to the lineup to split carries with Tate, the Texans will be able to maintain a two-dimensional offensive game plan.

Steelers Are No Longer a Power Offense

As strong as the Texans' rushing attack has been to this point, the Steelers' has been equally weak.

Rashard Mendenhall has been bottled up on a consistent basis this season, making the traditionally run-oriented Steelers offense much more pass happy.

They may have faced some stiff run defenses in Baltimore and Seattle, but what about when the 22nd-ranked Indianapolis Colts' defense held them to 67 yards on 28 carries?

Houston is ranked 17th in the category, allowing just shy of 106 yards per game on the ground. But with the Steelers averaging a mere 3.3 yards per carry behind a beat-up offensive line, there's no reason to believe the Texans won't keep them in check.

Injury-Riddled Pittsburgh O-Line

Just like last season, the Steelers have a rotating door going on their starting offensive line. Guard Doug Legursky and tackle Jonathan Scott have both been ruled out for this weekend's game, while tackle Willie Colon has already been placed on injured reserve.

The injuries to the offensive line didn't stop the Steelers from making it to the Super Bowl last year, but it certainly doesn't help.

So far, the team is tied for eighth-worst in the league in allowing sacks. With three starters down already, the Mario Williams and Co. have an opportunity to exploit the weakened offensive line to put added pressure on Ben Roethlisberger.

Steelers' Offense Is a Turnover Machine

If there's one thing we can be sure of heading into this game, it's that the Steelers—Ben Roethlisberger in particular—have a serious problem with ball control. 

Through three weeks, Pittsburgh has a league-leading 10 giveaways with only one takeaway to counteract them.

Much of this has to do with the noncohesive play of the offensive line, but Roethlisberger has lost four fumbles and thrown four interceptions this year. 

Houston has forced six turnovers and can jump out to an early lead, if they continue to do so in this game.

Andre Johnson

As off as the Steelers's defense has looked, they are still ranked second in total defense, seventh in points against per game and first in pass defense.

However, they have also played to bottom-five offensive teams. Houston is ninth in total offense, seventh in points scored per game and 12th in pass offense.

Andre Johnson is the best talent the Steelers will have seen at the wide receiver position this year, and the Texans showcased a lot of two tight-end sets last week with Owen Daniels and James Casey each having big games.

He is fourth in the league in receiving, and it will be tough for Ike Taylor to keep him under wraps, if the Texans are able to establish the balanced offense they've shown all season.

New Wrinkle in Houston Offense

That new two tight-end set I mentioned earlier is becoming a thing of the future. Because of the great success the New England Patriots have had and the fact that the NFL is a copycat league, this offense will be utilized more by Houston.

Owen Daniels and James Casey combined for 10 catches, 202 yards receiving, 11 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

If they can continue to have success with this alignment, the Texans' passing game may be too much for even Troy Polamalu to handle. 

Return of Arian Foster Should Spark Red-Zone Success

Last season, the Houston Texans ranked fifth in red-zone offense. Through three games this season, they are 29th in the league.

Of the 18 touchdowns Arian Foster scored last season, 15 were from within the 20-yard line. With Foster set to make his debut this week, the offense should see some improvement in its already strong offensive production.

If Foster's return causes an uptick in the team's scoring, the Steelers will become too one-dimensional to keep pace.  

No Long Drives Allowed

In their first three games this year, the Texans' defense has allowed only one drive that has lasted longer than five minutes. It was a 7:19 drive by the Dolphins that resulted in a missed field goal in Week 2.

The improvement also shows in the fact that of 35 drives by their opponents, only two have gone longer than 10 plays, both by the Dolphins. 

Wade Phillips has brought the kind of bite that Houston fans had been hoping for when he was signed as defensive coordinator, and these are just some of the rewards that are being reaped by it.

Pittsburgh has been able to produce several big plays this season, but they have not produced enough points to keep up with the higher scoring teams this season.

So far, the Steelers are averaging just 18 points per game, good for 26th in the league.