Steel City Blitz
The Pittsburgh Steelers have only played the Houston Texans eight times. The original NFL franchise in Houston was the Oilers. For many years as part of the AFC Central division, the Oilers were great rivals to the Steelers. At the end of the 1998 season, the Oilers moved to Nashville to become the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans began playing in 2002 after Houston was granted a new NFL franchise at the cost of $1 billion.
The Steelers own a 5-3 record over the Texans with the last game played two years ago when the Steelers lost 30-6 in Houston. C.J. Stroud led his team to victory with two touchdown passes.
This season will be the ninth time the Texans have been to the playoffs in their short history. They have won six wildcard games but have never advanced beyond the divisional game.
With six Lombardi trophies, the Steelers have a long history of playoff success, but they have lost their last four wildcard games. 2017 was the last time they advanced to the divisional game.
Aaron Rodgers has a 12-10 playoff record with Green Bay. Rodgers led the Packers to five NFC Championship games with one Super Bowl victory. Unfortunately, that was Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers.
The Steelers have never lost a Monday Night game with Mike Tomlin as their coach. The Texans have never won a playoff game on the road.
In 2007 the Steelers disappointingly lost the wildcard game to the Jaguars. They were edged out in the final minute by a field goal.
The Steelers began the 2008 season with 19 of 22 starters who opened the previous season returning. Ben Roethlisberger was confident of successful season. “I set my goals so high,” he acknowledged. “The Super Bowl is what we are going for.”
It may have sounded like a hollow touch of exuberance from the 4-year veteran before a pass had been thrown, but he was leading an experienced team. The season opener against a fledgling franchise offered the opportunity to kick the season off with a win.
When asked if he was nervous about the game, Texans rookie tackle confirmed he was. “Definitely. It’s at Pittsburgh against a team with a great tradition and a great defense, so nerves are going to be there.” He had good reason to be nervous as he was going up against James Harrison.
Before the game, the Steelers paid tribute to Myron Cope who passed away in February of 2008.
The (0-0) Steelers vs the (0-0) Texans; September 7, 2008
The Steelers stamped their authority on the game from the start. The defense stopped the Texans first possession. Quarterback Matt Schaub went for it on a fourth down and one. He failed, handing the Steelers good field position.
A combination of Willie Parker’s runs and Ben Roethlisberger finding his receivers early saw Pittsburgh go 52 yards in 8 plays. Parker took the ball in for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Steelers an early lead. Jeff Reed...
