Isnt it usually us who says "This game will show us where we stand" ???

[EllisUnit]

http://mboard.steelers.com/fanzone/m...7C94837?Page=1

Only problem with that theory is this, the Texans lost a close game in a shoot out by 7 points in the 4th quarter against the Saints on the road, and they plan on getting that bad taste out of their mouth in their house against us Sunday, and since Schaub has the best animal receiver in Johnson plus a good TE going against one of the worst secondaries in the league, he will put up a 40 burger and if you think this offense can keep pace with that I have news for ya, plus they have a running game and we dont, so thinking we are going into Houston and sneak up on the Texans is a good strategy when we dont match up isnt the logic I can share with you...

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Or the last 3 or 4 times we played the Colts (except for 2004 AFCCG). It is only natural that the best DE tandem in the league (by far!) has major success against the worst OL in the league.


I blame BA and Ben for not anticipating and game planning around Mathis and Freeney

As for Houston, this game should give us a true assessment of where we stand in the AFC. I think we lose a close one on the road

Well i guess other teams arent viewing us as a give me anymore. Moral Victory ?!?!?!? No but it sure feels good to know teams know they are gonna get a fight.

[DexmanC]

The problem is that the Texans, under Kubiak, has never beaten an
elite team on the road. Six years in, we are looking for SOME progress.
If they beat the Steelers, whoopie-doo. If they lose to the Steelers,
"same 'ol Texans."

The next measuring stick game is at Baltimore in 3 weeks.

[El Tejano]

Let's just beat Pittsburgh. Time to go 1-0 again.

[Hervoyel]

That's just it. We are saying "This game will tell us where we stand" even now. Had we won that game in New Orleans then we'd be saying "Take care of the Steelers and get to 4-0" but now we're all in holding our breath mode and wondering how the Texans will respond to that loss.

This just shows us that everybody in the NFL is doing and saying this same stuff every week. That's an NFL season. No win or loss happens in a vacuum. Everything is related, everything carries over every week and you don't know if the teams you beat are good teams or bad teams (with a handful of exceptions) until the season is over.

[Rey]

Really, I'm just enjoying seeing the team play good football.

Maybe that sounds too friendly for some people's taste, but I am not worried, nervous, hyped-up or anything that would be considered as any form of anxiousness.

I am pleased overal at how the team has been playing...I get upset when we lose, but this is game four of a 16 game season. It's short, but it's long.

I've seen plenty teams lose games they could have won or get crushed by opponents and still end up playing well at the end of the year when it counts. I'll wait for our first play-off game--which I expect this year--before I get anxious.

Right now I just feel good about the team and I am just enjoying the ride. I'm not worried about must wins, tone setting, statement games or barometer games.

[Rick_Moon]

My yes/no answer is that, no, at this point I don't predict that we will leave Houston with a W on Sunday. However, it's not out of the question, and it would not surprise me one bit if the "light comes on" and we win the game (possibly convincingly).

Obviously, the 2 biggest issues are the O-line and pass coverage. The O-line was putrid last night, but next Sunday they will be seeing a familiar 3-4 front, and I expect that to help somewhat. While I can't see them dominating, I don't see them getting destroyed again. The running game should be more successful as well.

The coverage situation is what it is. If we don't pressure Schaub, he will tear up the likes of Lewis, Gay and Clark. Win or lose, I expect to give up 300+ yards passing. However, if our pass rushers get into gear, we could see some big defensive plays that kill Houston drives.

One matchup that favors us in a big way is our receivers vs. the Texans' secondary. Joseph is good, but the rest of their corners are pretty poor. It's kind of like looking in a mirror where we have Ike and no other starting caliber corners. If the O-line can do a marginally better job in pass protection than they did last night, we will get our share of 20+ yard pass plays.

This game is by no means a "gimme" for Houston. I think they are the better team right now, and that's why I am picking them, but that can change Sunday if the wake up call is heeded.

I agree that this game will be a big measuring stick. If we show solid improvement on the O-line, and either win or lose a close one, then I will have a lot of hope for us to continue to improve and get back into playoff form in time for it to matter. If we get trashed again, then I will be really worried.

I just hope the Texans have a game plan for Mike Wallace.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by Rey

Really, I'm just enjoying seeing the team play good football.

Maybe that sounds too friendly for some people's taste, but I am not worried, nervous, hyped-up or anything that would be considered as any form of anxiousness.

I am pleased overal at how the team has been playing...I get upset when we lose, but this is game four of a 16 game season. It's short, but it's long.

I've seen plenty teams lose games they could have won or get crushed by opponents and still end up playing well at the end of the year when it counts. I'll wait for our first play-off game--which I expect this year--before I get anxious.

Right now I just feel good about the team and I am just enjoying the ride. I'm not worried about must wins, tone setting, statement games or barometer games.

Good post. That's about where I'm at as well.

[Vinny]

The bottom line is simple really. You are a mediocre team until you can start to beat good teams on at least a semi-regular basis. Once that starts happening....you have progress. Till then, you are what you are. Potential means you haven't done it yet.

[HTown2ATX]

Originally Posted by DexmanC

The problem is that the Texans, under Kubiak, has never beaten an
elite team on the road. Six years in, we are looking for SOME progress.
If they beat the Steelers, whoopie-doo. If they lose to the Steelers,
"same 'ol Texans."

The next measuring stick game is at Baltimore in 3 weeks.

Originally Posted by Vinny

The bottom line is simple really. You are a mediocre team until you can start to beat good teams on at least a semi-regular basis. Once that starts happening....you have progress. Till then, you are what you are. Potential means you haven't done it yet.

See, I agree with both of these. I still consider the Steelers elite so I will not discount this win should it be a win and won't be too low should we lose somehow but I would be shocked if we lose to the Steelers if they play like they did last week..

But I agree with Dex that for me, the next big huge statement game is in BAL in a few weeks IMO.