JotCast | Steelers-Texans: Live chat, updates and analysis

Steelers-Texans: Live chat, updates and analysis

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Ray Fittipaldo

7:00

Nothing tonight. He's done enough for me to be in position to compete for that job next season.

Steeler fan in deadmonton

7:00

More sacks for steeler linebackers or Anderson and hunter?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:01

I don;t know but whoever does probably wins the game.

Ken Ward

7:01

Hi guys, love your chats. What's the current temperature and wind conditions....Thanks!

Stairway to seventh seed

7:02

All the interceptions in the Jacksonville game? Ben had 469 yards and 5 TDs to 1 int, plus a downfield lateral for essentially a 6th passing TD. If not for an atrocious defense and Tomlin thinking Sean Spence was the best option to replace Shazier, that would have gone down as Ben's finest hour. Yes, there was also a strip sack scoop and score, but Jax was coming off a 13 pt effort against Buffalo and they went through the defense for 21 quick points before that.

Brian Batko

7:02

It's 34 degrees, not much wind from what I can tell. But they're playing Uptown Girl. That's not good.

Ray Fittipaldo

7:03

Strip sack at the end of the half was a killer. I knew there was another turnover in there. And I think Jalen Ramsey had the INT.

Stairway to seventh seed

7:04

Ray: there has been a lot of discussion about how hard it will be for the offense to play well, but isn't it getting lost in this 4-1 stretch that the defense has had a brutal quarter in each game? Nearly blew a 2 score lead at Balt and at Detroit. Gave up 2 easy long drives to the Dolphins in the 4th. Came out flat at Cleveland and then essentially blew a 4th quarter lead THREE TIMES last week.

Ray Fittipaldo

7:05

The run defense has been better for sure, but the big plays allowed by the secondary have been problematic. I think the Miami game they were in prevent and let up a little, but I agree with you on the others. They have to find a way to play a complete game on defense.

Andy Carnegie

7:05

I personally think the Steelers should borrow if not steal the Texans offensive game plan against them two years ago where they let them blitz all the time and just threw screens to that open spot. #30 and #14 would have a field day.

Stairway to seventh seed

7:05

Ray: it was another future Steeler Myles Jack who picked off Ben in the 2017 game. That was a devastating loss.

Brian Batko

7:05

I think that was a big part of their plan against the Browns in Cleveland and you saw how that worked out, Andy.

Ray Fittipaldo

7:06

Ah yes Ramsey had the game-sealing pick a week earlier against the Bills I think.

7:09

Hi Guys, over or unders +2.5 for Steelers first quarter points. +9.5 for Texans first quarter points. Which way are you leaning?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:09

Under for Steelers based merely on history of this season and recent playoff pasts.

NC Bruce

7:11

Ray and Brian, How much will the loss of Darnell impact the offense tonight? And will they get Friermuth involved early on?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:12

They scored 26 without him last week. I think that bodes well. He's a big part of their running game, but Warren and Gainwell also had big second halves against the Ravens

Ken Ward

7:15

So, should the Steelers win tonight, and win again next week and face the Bills at home.....would that be the latest home game the Steelers have ever played since the season is now longer?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:15

Yes by one day. In 2011, the AFC title game was played on Jan. 24.

Lou

7:16

Rodgers arm seemed to hurt in the Ravens game. Can we assume it’s not any worse?

Brian Batko

7:16

It was his left arm, regardless. Yeah, I think safe to say he's OK.

7:18

Team starting to trickle out now in uniform. For what it's worth, it looked like both Chris Boswell and Ka'imi Fairbairn were having trouble on their longer kicks. As in 55-plus. So we'll see how the special teams factor in tonight.

NC Bruce

7:22

Brian and Ray, I just read the inactives list. I'm surprised that Kaleb Johnson is on there. What happens if Warren and Gainwell get hurt? For that matter, what happens if both QBs get hurt?

Brian Batko

7:22

Jonnu Smith! Actually he hasn't looked bad in that role. If both QBs get hurt, Will Howard is the emergency and would be able to go in.

Andy Carnegie

7:22

Anyways, I think staying out of 3rd and long situations and maintaining drives will be the key for the Steelers. Need to execute better on third and short and convert them.

Yates

7:24

If we win toss do we and should we take the ball?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:24

I'd defer.

Brian Batko

7:26

Same. Get a quick stop and now you've got the edge the rest of the way.

Lou

7:28

Win that toss and DEFER!!!!

Stairway to seventh seed

7:29

Brian: I sort of feel like the gimmick of using Anderson as a 6th OL has sort of run its course. Especially when it is used on 2nd and 10 to set up 3rd and 7. A lot of analysts have called for that formation to help in protection and if they use it that way, fine, but if they use it to run over and over into a stacked box I am skeptical. Your thoughts?

Brian Batko

7:30

I disagree, actually. But you have to execute in those moments, and I think if it's not working out early against this Texans defense, don't be slow to cut bait.

Well I guess I should say I disagree with your point that it's run its course, but yes, the rest I'm with you on.

Yates

7:31

Steelers have better RBs, OL and more experienced QB. Would you give edge to Collins or Metcalf?

Ray Fittipaldo

7:31

I'd say Collins.

Yates

7:35

There is no single area of Steelers D that is better than Texans D. So, do we see lots of conservative decisions from MT? How has Texans been against tush push type plays?

Brian Batko

7:36

That's my sense of how this game will go. And I don't necessarily think that's the mentality they should have, but we'll see. According to Sumer Sports, "The Houston Texans defense has been quite effective in short-yardage situations during the 2025 season, allowing a 58.6% conversion rate on 3rd-and-1 or 4th-and-1 plays, which is significantly better than the league average of 66.8%."

Ryan

7:37

Ray what is your score prediction mine is 31-17 Steelers

Brian Batko

7:37

I picked Texans 20-17, Ray picked Steelers 20-17. How about them apples?

Bill

7:38

Any chance MT doesn't "play to his fears" and we see the Steelers go for it on fourth and short or even a fake punt?

Brian Batko

7:38

How about a double reverse pass? Can't hold anything back now.