Are things breaking the Steelers' way?

While seeing the Steelers win is always a fervent desire we have a very strong ethic of not wanting to see opponents -- even Baltimore Ravens -- injured.  But Monday's news that Texans'  quarterback Matt Schaub is likely out for the season has been followed-up Tuesday morning with news that Kansas City QB Matt Cassel has a "serious" hand injury and may be out for the season as well.

The potential impact to the Steelers should be obvious:  Houston's perch at #1 in the AFC now rides on the left arm of Matt Leinart; and the Steelers' next opponent, Kansas City, will (apparently) trot out former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko to face his hometown team.

Pittsburgh still needs help in the form of an additional Baltimore loss, or two, and the Steelers need to do their part (i.e. win!).  However, a path to the #1 seed is beginning to emerge; and here's hoping the Black & Gold can seize the opportunity.

Steelers @ Houston: The aftermath

No group has emotional swings like those of us who cheer for the Steelers; and at the rate the team is going we may all be at our wits ends before the bye week.

We were looking through sundry item, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's weekly "Steelers Report Card," always done very capably by Gerry Dulac, is a postgame must.  This week Mr. Dulac gives the offensive line an "F" ~ no surprise there ~ and in doing so states that "[c]ritics of LT Jonathan Scott might want to see him back in the lineup after this; Trai Essex gave up at least two sacks as the Texans kept bringing pressure from the left side. OLB Mario Williams had two of the five sacks, including one against RT Marcus Gilbert."

The only issue we take with this assessment is that, by focusing on the two backups who started yesterday, it fails to call into account the miserable performances by the starters who did start.  Yes, the offensive line is a until, and missing two starters was bound to have a negative impact.  But Chris Kemoeatu was beaten badly for three out of four quarters; and the unnecessary roughness call against Maurkice Pouncy, coming at the end of a 14-yard run that put the Steelers' offense at the Houston six yard line with just over a minute to play in the first half, effectively killed what had the looks of a touchdown drive.

As Mr. Dulac undoubtedly knows, the problem with the Steelers' offensive line runs much deeper than some underperforming backups;  and is a problem that may take multiple seasons to truly address.

Steelers @ Houston : Instant Analysis, fourth quarter

So, it seems, the third quarter was something of an illusion.

After dominating the third quarter of play the Steelers reverted to first half form, and Houston was able to do enough ~ including Adrian Foster's 42-yard touchdown run ~ to win the game.

In a game that was maddening, the most maddening aspect is that from the point at the beginning of the fourth quarter when the Steelers tied the game, the Texans gained 99 yards and scored the winning touchdown while the Pittsburgh offense gained a net 32 yards on 18 plays, not including punts.

So, with the game up for grabs Houston got the job done, and the Steelers were soundly thrashed.  A disappointing loss leaves the team and its fans wondering how in the world what will come next.

Steelers @ Houston: Instant Analysis, third quarter

When someone, anyone, figures out this Steelers team will they let the rest of us in on the secret?

After looking so bad in the first half that inept would have been a step up, the Steelers surged to life following halftime.  The time of possession suddenly swung back to the Black & Gold, as they held the football for 13:05!

The defense which could not get off the field in the first half shut Houston down on their lone third quarter possession.  Meanwhile on the offensive side of the football Chris Kemoeatu, who was dreadful throughout the first half, showed just why he's been such an anchor along the offensive front.

All of this means that the fourth quarter shapes up to be a brawl.

Steelers @ Houston: Instant Analysis, second quarter

When, if ever, has a ten point deficit seemed so insurmountable?

Houston's 21:32 time of possession in the first half is the most lopsided such margin against the Steelers that we can immediately recall.  Of course that advantage was built on 120 rushing yards ~ a stunning achievement for the Texans; and an embarrassment for the Steelers' defense the likes of which they have not seen since being dismantled by Jacksonville in the playoffs more than a decade ago.

At this point someone, anyone, on the Steelers has to begin making plays.

Steelers @ Houston: Instant Analysis, first quarter

There are always Xs & Os that can be laid out when discussing a football game.  But in the first quarter of the game at Houston the simple, unvarnished, truth is that the Texans are being beaten up physically.  Indeed, if not for the Houston penalties the differences between these two teams would have been even more starkly revealed.

However, in addition to the general ineffectiveness of the defense ~ lack of physicality along the line, slow to the football, shoddy tackling ~ what stood out most in the first quarter was Chris Kemoatu's horrible play thus far.  He was incredibly slow off the snap, to the extent that twice a Houston defender hit him on the Steelers' side of the football.

There is a very long way to go in this game, and the Steelers have time to make adjustments; but you cannot coach toughness, and right now the Texans are bullying the Black & Gold all over the field.

Houston v. Steelers: The Matchups

Like Christmas for a six year old, it seemed as though the beginning of the NFL season would never arrive. However kickoff is just hours away now, and in an effort to help you all prepare yourselves properly (e.g. stretching, tackling drills in the living room, special trips to the store to load up on refreshments) we offer up a statistical snapshot of where these teams were at when the 2007 regular season concluded.

Houston Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Houston offense 14th (333.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (266.4)

Average net rushing yards per game: Houston offense 22nd (99.1) v. Steelers defense 3rd (89.9)

Average net passing yards per game: Houston offense 11th (234.4) v. Steelers defense 3rd (176.5)

Average points per game: Houston offense 12th (23.69) v. Steelers defense 2nd (16.81)

Steelers Offense v. Houston Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 17th (327.4) v. Houston defense 24th (344.2)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 3rd (135.5) v. Houston defense 19th (114.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 22nd (191.9) v. Houston defense 25th (230.1)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 9th (24.56) v. Houston defense 22nd (24.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Houston 18th (8.7) v. Steelers 30th (6.1)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Houston 12th (7.9) v. Steelers 14th (8.6)

Average yards per kick return: Houston 2nd (26.5) v. Steelers 21st (22.0)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Houston 21st (23.1) v. Steelers 16th (22.6)

Net yardage punting average: Houston 8th (37.9) v. Steelers 9th (37.9)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Houston 14th (37.1) v. Steelers 26th (38.6)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Houston 31st (-13) v. Steelers 12th (+3)

Time of possession: Houston 20th (29:41) v. Steelers 1st (34:41)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency: Houston 4th (61.0%) v. Steelers 7th (58.2%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Houston 17th (53.2%) v. Steelers 22nd (55.3%)

Sacks allowed: Houston 15th (31) v. Steelers 25th (47)

Sacks: Houston 7th (37) v. Steelers 31st (47)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Schaub 6th (87.2) v. Ben Roethlisberger 2nd (104.1)

AFC Leading rushers: Ron Dayne 12th (773 yards) v. Willie Parker 2nd
(1,316 yards)

AFC Leading receiver: Kevin Walter 83rd (65 catches, 800 yards, 12.3 per catch, 4 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward 13th (71 catches, 732 yards, 10.3 yards per catch, 7 touchdowns)