The Pre season is thankfully over, how the NFL continues to screw the fans by making them pay full price for that charade displayed on the field is beyond me. The Steelers enter the season basically injury free, they return 20 of 22 starters from a playoff team… The “expectations” are starting to build in the steel city.

 Did You Know?

-Pittsburgh has the longest current winning streak on opening day in the NFL at 5 games

-Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to become the first Steelers quarterback with three consecutive 3,000-yard seasons.

-In 3 season openers Willie Parker has rushed for 385 yards on 78 carries.

Steelers with the Ball

I expect the Steelers to show a variety of personnel packages and formations attempting to dictate one on one matchups in the passing game early. The Steelers have as much talent at the skill positions as any team in the NFL. The Texans are missing their best cover corner Dunta Robinson but it wouldn’t matter if Robinson was healthy, the Texans lack the speed size and skill to cover the Steelers receivers. The talent of the Texans defense is in the front seven which includes three defensive linemen who were first round picks and one of the most talented middle linebackers in the NFL in DeMeco Ryans.

Front Seven Matchups

Run game

Marvel Smith and Mario Williams in the run game. I expect the Texans to move around Williams on obvious passing downs with the hope of exploiting matchups; I expect Williams to play Right defensive end against the Steelers base formations. Williams is a very good player, he plays the run as good as any 43 defensive end in football. I expect a ton of stalemates between Smith and Williams…A majority of the time stalemates mean the offensive linemen did his job and won the matchup. I don’t expect Marvel Smith to blow Williams three yards off the ball; at the same time I don’t expect Williams to stack and walk Marvel Smith three yards into the back field.

Willie Colon and Anthony Weaver in the run game…Willie Colon is awful. I will continue to say Willie Colon is awful until his play proves otherwise. I expect Weaver to control Colon in the run game…Weaver will stack Colon then shed the block and force plays back inside or make the play himself…Unlike Marvel Smith, Willie Colon fails to stay pasted to the defender…His short arms and slow feet make him a liability run blocking and sealing the edge on outside runs…His poor technique and limited strength make him a liability in the interior run game.

Justin Hartwig Chris Kemoeatu and Kendoll Simmons against Travis Johnson and Amobi Okoye in the run game…I expect the Texans to cover Hartwig a ton in this game with Travis Johnson. This will be a quality test for Hartwig…Johnson is very underrated against the run…Johnson is not a huge 340 pound defensive tackle…He is a compact explosive player who will beat most interior offensive linemen with a lightening quick first step…Hartwig must come off the ball and win the leverage matchup with Johnson if the Steelers expect to run the ball between the tackles. Okoye is nothing special against the run…I believe Kemo will eat him up…Okoye could give Simmons problems in the run game. Okoye is strong enough to hold the point against Simmons…He is not strong enough to hold the point against Kemo…Okoye doesn’t have enough sand in his pants to play in a phone booth against Kemo.

The key to the Steelers running the ball this week will be limiting penetration by the front four and finding ways to get blockers on DeMeco Ryans and Morlon Greenwood, if the Steelers manage to establish the running game early; this game could be over at halftime

Passing game

The Texans will slide in ND Kalu to replace Anthony Weaver on passing downs. Kalu is a quality pass rusher…He could give either tackle problems coming off the edge with speed. I expect the Texans to line up Okoye over Simmons on most passing downs. Okoye is a very good interior pass rusher and Simmons tends to struggle with decent pass rushing defensive linemen. Mario Williams will be lined up all across the defensive front  looking to exploit matchups…I expect Williams to find a home across from Willie Colon…Williams is Colon’s worst nightmare…He can beat Colon to the edge with speed…Back to the inside with quickness and technique …and up his chest with the bull rush.

I expect the Steelers to help the offensive line with a Tight End, and a running back chipping the pass rushers…The more help the offensive line needs…Means fewer receivers out in pass routes.

Skill positions.

Ben must throw the ball in rhythm…He must trust his reads…If the play is not there don’t take unnecessary shots throw the ball away and move on to the next play. Ben has more balls than brains… The offensive line and pass protection schemes must hold up… I hope Ben saves the Houdini plays for Mid January of 09…Ben must stay healthy…That’s the key to this team’s success…By the way Ben is the best damn quarterback in the NFL

Parker and Mendenhall…Protect the ball…Take what’s there…Attack the hole and finish every run…I believe the Steelers are as talented at running back as any team in the NFL.

Miller and Spaeth…Both players MUST win there matchups in the run game…That one block is the difference between a 4 yard run and 65 yard touchdown trot. I expect both players to be factors in the passing game.

Ward Holmes Washington and Sweed…Run good clean routes… Make plays for your quarterback…The Texans couldn’t cover the Steelers Wide Receivers with 13 men.

2 Unsung Hero’s to look for this week.

Carey Davis- I would not be surprised if he gets some short yardage carries. He must be a hammer in the blocking game.

Mewelde Moore- He will be the Swiss Army Knife of the Steelers running backs Returning kicks, catching passes, running the ball, blitz pickup…I believe Moore could end up being the unsung hero of this team.

Texans with the Ball

The Texans offense is a carbon copy of the Denver Broncos offense…The Texans even have a Shanahan calling the plays….28 year old Kyle Shanahan (son of Mike) is the offensive coordinator of the Texans…He will match wits with 70 year old Dick Lebeau. The Texans zone block the run gaming…The passing game is predicated off the running game…The Texans passing game comes off play action, half rolls and misdirection.

Front Seven Matchups

Run Game

The Texans zone block everything…Rookie Duane Brown will have his hands full with Brett Kiesel…Kiesel’s length will drive Brown nuts…Brown will not be able to control Kiesel…He will not be able to move Kiesel in the run game…He will not be able to wall Kiesel away from the play…Kiesel will play this game with his hands inside of Duane Browns shoulder pads. Eric Winston has developed into a fine right tackle in this system. Winston has enough strength and speed to handle most Left defensive ends in the NFL. Aaron Smith when healthy and rested is not most defensive ends in the NFL…Smith is a force against the run…He is non-stop hustle in a big man’s body. Winston is in big trouble this week. Poor Chris Myers…Myers reminds me of Sean Mahan…He tries real hard…He can play and be fairly effective in space…He is a liability when covered. I expect Casey Hampton to send a message to the fans, sportswriters, front office, and the head coach this week…I expect Hampton to wreck the Texans blocking scheme and cause chaos in the defensive back field. Fullback Vonta Leach is a hammer in the run game…The Steelers linebackers better be prepared or they could end up embarrassed looking up at the Pittsburgh skyline. Owen Daniels offers nothing in the run game…He is softer then silk…Mark Bruener on the other hand is still a quality run blocker. I believe the Texans guards will struggle to get to the second level to block James Farrior Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons.

My biggest concern is edge matchups…Bruener on the Steelers outside linebackers…Leach sealing the edge...Leach leading Green through a crease. The Texans may get lucky and pop a run…If the Steelers front 7 show up the Texans will be lucky to rush for 80 yards.

Passing game

Duane Brown and James Harrison should be interesting. Brown was solid in the passing game at VA Tech and this pre season…James Harrison can be hell on wheels…Harrison has been nicked this week…I have a feeling he shows up Sunday afternoon in a bad mood. Chester Pitts is a former left tackle and a very good pass blocking left guard…He has allowed 7 sacks in his past 32 starts…Brett Kiesel is a disappointment as an interior pass rusher…I believe Pitts will hold his own and limit Kiesel rushing the passer. Right guard Mike Brisiel is a battler…I expect Brisiel to have major problems anchoring against Aaron Smith. Right tackle Eric Winston and Lamar Woodley will be the key matchup…Winston is a very good pass blocking right tackle…Lamar Woodley has some jaw dropping pass rushing moves…Woodley could have a huge breakout season. If the Steelers control the matchups upfront the Steelers blitz will be unblockable…Players must beat blocks and make plays.

Skill positions.

Matt Schaub is a Pittsburgh boy coming home to face a nasty, quick, attacking Steelers defense. Schaub has a rocket arm and great accuracy when he is allowed to stand like a statue in the pocket and deliver the ball…When Schaub has to move inside of the pocket he tends to sail balls over receiver’s heads.  Schaub is a decent NFL starter…He is nothing special.

I know it’s hard to believe but yes Ahman Green is still in the NFL. Green has lost a step or two; and knee injuries have robbed him of his once vaunted explosiveness…Green still has great vision…He will make one cut and attack the hole.

Chris Taylor and Steve Slaton have some Steelers fans concerned…I don’t see the reason for concern…Both backs are physically limited. Taylor is slow…Slaton attempts to avoid contact by running east and west.

Owen Daniels is a poor mans Kellen Winslow Jr…Daniels is fantastic in the passing game…He is a matchup nightmare for most teams…To quick for a linebacker…To big for a safety. The Steelers must punish Daniels every time he touches the ball.

Andre Johnson…I’m a fan of Andre Johnson; I think Andre Johnson is a top 3 Wr in the NFL…He reminds me of Terrell Owens without the diva attitude. Johnson can take any route to the house for 6.

Kevin Walter is a sure handed possession receiver who just makes plays to keep drives alive…Walter is a big receiver who looks to punish defensive backs run blocking.

Andre Davis and Jacoby Jones are explosive speedsters who can make plays vertically in the passing game…Both players have struggled with dropped balls.

The Steelers must play this game in the Texans backfield…The Texans have plenty of weapons outside to beat teams vertically in the passing game…The Steelers must choke off the run game and rattle Schaub early.

Special Teams.

This is a definite advantage to the Texans. All together now…Cover the Kick…Keep your lanes…Tackle the man carrying the ball.

Kicking game

I call a push.

Score

Steelers 27

Texans 13