Five Questions Ahead of Texans vs. Steelers Matchup

What’s a matchup that could dictate how the game goes?

I think Nico Collins vs. Joey Porter Jr. will be a big one to watch, but for me Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. against Dylan Cook and Troy Fautanu is the top matchup.

Hunter and Anderson are two of the best edge rushers in the league, and they inarguably have the leg-up on Cook and Fautanu on paper.

The Steelers’ tackle duo, though, has played really well since Cook made his debut in Week 14. They’ll have their hands full against Hunter and Anderson, but they have at least a puncher’s chance of limiting them.

What’s one thing people should know about the Steelers that cannot be found in a box score?

The Steelers have gone 69-straight games scoring 7 points or fewer in the first quarter, which is the third-longest streak in league history. It doesn't as much of a surprise considering they don't have an explosive offense, but if Houston is able to get off to a fast start, that could be all it needs to take them down.

If the Steelers were to beat the Texans, what would be the reason why?

I'd say offensively, it would be a mixture of the Steelers being able to fend off Houston’s pass rush and their running back duo of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell having big days both on the ground and through the air.

Defensively, Pittsburgh’s own group of edge rushers in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig will all have to be on their A-game against a Texans offensive line that's seemingly improved as the year has gone on but is still below-average.

What’s your prediction for the game?

I expect a defensive, low-scoring slugfest in the cold conditions at Acrisure Stadium. It truly could go either way, and the Texans are coming in hot on a nine-game win streak, but I have Pittsburgh pulling off a 20-16 win and ending its six-game playoff losing streak in the process.