After a high-scoring first half, the Steelers’ defense shut out the visiting Texans in the second half Sunday for a 28-21 victory. Pittsburgh is 3-0 for the first time since 2010, while Houston will now have to dig itself out of an 0-3 hole.
Pittsburgh, down 14-3 early, took the lead after Ben Roethlisberger threw first half touchdown passes to Eric Ebron and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Texans’ offense, led by Deshuan Watson, gave Houston a 21-17 halftime lead after Watson found Will Fuller for a 14-yard score.
After a rocky first half, the Steelers’ defense clamped down on Watson, sacking him five times while coming up with a big third quarter interception by Mike Hilton. The turnover set up Pittsburgh’s game-winning score, a 12-yard touchdown run by James Conner. The Steelers extended their lead after Smith-Schuster score on Pittsburgh’s two-point conversion. After a sack by T.J. Watt helped force another Texans punt, a third down completion from Roethlisberger rookie Chase Claypool iced the game for the Steelers.
Roethlisberger, who on Sunday surpassed Mike Webster for the most games played in Steelers history, enjoyed another solid outing, going 23-of-36 for 237 yards while improving his season touchdown/interception ratio to 7/1. Conner rushed for over 100 yards for a second straight game, as the Steelers ran for 169 yards on 38 carries against Houston’s 31st ranked run defense. Bud Dupree paced Pittsburgh with 1.5 sacks.
Watson, who went 14-of-18 in the first half, finished with 264 yards on 19-of-27 passing. Cobb led the Texans with 95 yards on four catches, while Houston’s running game was held to just 29 yards on 15 carries.
Relive the game in real time by checking out our live blog below for highlights, updates and analysis.
Season Leaders
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passing |
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D. Watson
D. Watson |
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B. Roethlisberger
B. Roethlisberger |
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rushing |
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D. Johnson
D. Johnson |
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B. Snell
B. Snell |
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receiving |
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B. Cooks
B. Cooks |
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D. Johnson
D. Johnson |
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Steelers win this one, 28-21. Pittsburgh is now 3-0 for the first time since 2010, while Houston will now look to get out of its 0-3 hold. Thanks again for joining us! Be sure to stay with CBS Sports.com for everything NFL related.
The game appears to be on ice after Roethlisberger hits rookie Chase Claypool for 24 yards. It hasn’t been perfect, but Steelers put together a solid fourth quarter that has included Conner’s touchdown, JuJu’s 2-point conversion catch, Watt’s sack of Watson, and Claypool’s third down catch. Steelers can run three plays, then call on Boswell to make it a two possession game.
T.J. Watt is playing at an incredible level right now. Just ended Houston’s last drive, and now he sacks Watson on first down for an 11-yard loss. The sack helped force a punt, as the Steelers now have the ball and the lead with just over five minutes left. Pittsburgh has now sacked Watson five times.
Really nice, well-balanced drive by the Steelers, who take the lead on James Conner’s 12-yard touchdown run. Pittsburgh called seven passes and five runs on the drive. Conner had five of those carries, as Steelers now have 138 yards on 29 carries. Steelers make it 28-21 on Smith-Schuster’s 2-point conversion catch.
Big interception by Mike Hilton, who picks off Watson’s third down pass. Watson was in a tough spot, as Houston was too far from FG range had Watt bearing down on him. That being said, Watson should have thrown it away, as Houston’s defense has had success against the Steelers’ offense this half. Watson also needs to avoid big hits like that. Speaking of Watt, his big tackle on Cooks after Watson’s 34-yard completion to Cobb really put the clamps on that drive.
If you’re the Steelers, you should re-commit yourselves to the running game. You have four running backs on the roster, and you’re facing the league’s 31st ranked run defense. Surprised to see McFarland getting more work than Snell, who put the ball on the ground during last Sunday’s win over the Broncos.
This could end up being a turning point. Texans have to punt after three plays, as Houston’s defense was given virtually no time to rest after just being on the field for give minutes. Houston decided to go conservative, as Watson settled for two shorts passes before the Texans punted.
Good hold by Houston’s defense, as Steelers have to settle for another Boswell field goal. Pittsburgh had just runs on the 12-play drive after McFarland gained just two yards on his last two carries after starting the drive with an 11-yard run. A drop by James Washington also aided the Texans’ red zone defense. Pittsburgh is now just 1-3 in the red zone today.
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