Steelers hobbling to a Division lead.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reliving the past history of last year’s team.  Last year the offensive line was the Achilles heel for the team and this year is begging to look like a repeat itself.  Gone from last year’s team is Max Stark and Flozell Adams and Willie Colon who was signed with a contract extension this year has already been placed on the injured reserve list and is ineligible to return this season.  Jamon Meredith replaced Colon on the active roster.  Rookie tackle Marcus Gilbert injured his shoulder in the Indianapolis Colts game last week and tackle Jonathan Scott hopes to return to practice this week and may be available for the Houston Texans game this week.

The Steelers have experienced a roller coaster season so far.  They gave up seven turnovers and were called old and past their prime following the Baltimore Ravens game and then shutout the Seattle Seahawks and looked like the team that just returned from a Super Bowl season.  However just like last season this team finds a way to win.  Last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts was expected to be a blow out turned out to be decided on a last minute field goal by Steelers’ kicker Shuan Suisham. 

This week the Steelers travel to Houston to battle the Texans.  The Texans have made major changes on defense and have added former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips as the Defensive Coordinator.  Phillips has also implemented the 3-4 defensive scheme had placed former number one pick Mario Williams as a linebacker instead of a down lineman defensive end.  Also added to the mix is Johnathan Joseph at defensive back.  The Texans have been impressive so far this on defense except for last week’s game against the New Orleans Saints.  The Texans lost that game in an old fashion shootout 40-33.

This week’s game will be determined in the trenches, whichever team control the line of scrimmage will win the game.  The Texans are undefeated when they have a rusher has over 100 hundred yards in a game, while the Steelers are looking to having an dominate running game again.  Also this game will be very important for later in the season with both teams have a 2-1 record home field advantage and playoff tie breakers could benefit the winner of this game.  Pittsburgh leads the overall series 2-1 and won the last meeting 38-17 at Heinz field in Pittsburgh.

Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Schuab will challenge each other’s defensive backs with deep and intermediate passes.  Both quarterbacks have been impressive so far this season and are not afraid to stay in the pocket to deliver the pass to their receivers.  This will be one of the best games that will be played this weekend.  According to NFL ticket exchange this is the hottest ticket that fans are trying to obtain.  Hopefully the all of the hype surrounding the game will live up to the actual game action.