Post game thoughts.....

[Starlifter]

Might as well keep the analysis flowing.

Last two weeks I've broken the game down into the good and the bad. This week, I'm not going to do that. To be honest, I just didn't see much bad at all. I was worried about facing a team that on paper is better than the first two opponents and at 0-2 would be highly motivated. The Steelers (in my opinion) really showed something this week. If I had to quibble, I'd say Ben's deep ball needs some work. That's really all I had for the offense.

The defense will take a little more.

Listening to the reaction of others, I'm betting many were looking at the production of the Texans offense in the first quarter and were not very pleased. I agree there were some real chunk plays being made, and the success of the Texans on 3rd down was troubling.

But I really took a hard look at the Steelers game plan - and I have to honestly say it was well executed.

The goal of the defense was to keep Watson contained. This was accomplished.
They completely shut down the run.
They were attempting to get pressure more with 4 and use zone more this week than previously to limit Watson's options. This was not very successful in the first half - but after adjustments at halftime, they blanked the Texans for the remainder of the game. That was superb.
It was clear the front 4 were staying very disciplined with gap integrity and staying home. Watching Dupree (for example) not go crazy up a gap and stay home, trusting the other guys to do their jobs was very impressive.

On the offensive side, apart from Ben still shaking off some rust - the O-Line was simply crushing today. Huge holes, great protection - they wore down the Texans and dominated the 4th quarter. Conner certainly took advantage and had a fantastic performance. Snell contributed and didn't fumble. Claypool is learning fast and growing. Close call with the fumble. Ebron broke out and shows he can be a real threat. His TD grab was top shelf good.

Only the most cynical and jaded Steeler fans could find much to complain about this game. The team is a SOLID 3-0. The Titans will be a good test as well, but while I'd be satisfied finishing sept at 3-1 - there's no reason why this team can't finish the month at 4-0.

Still work to be done to be sure - but the football gods blessed this team with an opening month schedule that really has allowed them to not only win - but do so while allowing the team to learn to gel again with the return of Ben.

It was a really fun game to watch today. BTW, bill O’Brien is in my view, one of the dirtbag coaches in the NFL. To see him at 0-3 is spectacular.

[papillon]

Here are some things that I saw...

Derek Watt looked like part of the game plan and then he got hurt, unfortunately. They had Conner in the "I" with Watt as lead back, I love that formation. They even passed out of it so its versatile enough to use for running and passing the ball. I hope they keep it in the game plans moving forward.

The TEs showed up today. Ben was looking for Ebron and Ebron responded with a great game.

Give back points again were a problem, the Steelers score and take the lead, then the defense gives up a 75 yard, 5 play drive to end the half and the Steelers are down 4 instead of being up 3 and receiving 2nd half kickoff.

Ben looks good, the arm is strong and the old guy still moves in the pocket really well and still throws on the run as good as anyone.

Punting, still, is an issue that may have to be addressed

I like Ray McCloud returning all kicks, he did very well today

Something positive happened at halftime, I'm assuming the coaches made changes and they paid off, Steelers outscored the Texans 11-0 in the 2nd half

If the Steelers play football all game like they did in the 2nd half today, they will win a lot of games.

Chuks did a really good job on Watt

The oline played well, except for a couple brain cramps that cost them pressure or sacks on Ben

3-0 is a good thing

Pappy

[winwithd]

I thought we were lucky to not have a turnover today. Just inches from the pylon. Connor should have stayed inbounds after a long run with about 4 minutes to go. Fortunately we were able to run out the clock otherwise.

I wonder what we were on 4th downs today. Seems like we converted maybe 3 or 4 on 4th and short. Tomlin was aggressive in this regard today all except for the first one when we kicked the FG to go up 3-0.

I love the run defense. Im guessing we are probably #1 in run defense at this point.

We are leading the AFC North. Excellent!

[winwithd]

I thought we were lucky to not have a turnover today.&nbsp; Just inches from the pylon.&nbsp; Connor should have stayed inbounds after a long run with about 4 minutes to go.&nbsp; Fortunately we were able to run out the&nbsp; clock otherwise.&nbsp;<br><br> I wonder what we were on 4th downs today.&nbsp; Seems like we converted maybe 3 or 4 on 4th and short.&nbsp; Tomlin was aggressive in this regard today all except for the first one when we kicked the FG to go up 3-0.<br><br>I love the run defense.&nbsp; Im guessing we are probably #1 in run defense at this point.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>We are leading the AFC North.&nbsp; Excellent!

And McFarland showed some flashes.

[whisper]

Might as well keep the analysis flowing.

Last two weeks I've broken the game down into the good and the bad. This week, I'm not going to do that. To be honest, I just didn't see much bad at all. I was worried about facing a team that on paper is better than the first two opponents and at 0-2 would be highly motivated. The Steelers (in my opinion) really showed something this week. If I had to quibble, I'd say Ben's deep ball needs some work. That's really all I had for the offense.

He definitely missed some deep balls. Just wait until he starts hitting them.

The defense will take a little more.

Listening to the reaction of others, I'm betting many were looking at the production of the Texans offense in the first quarter and were not very pleased. I agree there were some real chunk plays being made, and the success of the Texans on 3rd down was troubling.

At that point, it looked like our D was cotton candy.

But I really took a hard look at the Steelers game plan - and I have to honestly say it was well executed.

The goal of the defense was to keep Watson contained. This was accomplished.
They completely shut down the run.
They were attempting to get pressure more with 4 and use zone more this week than previously to limit Watson's options. This was not very successful in the first half - but after adjustments at halftime, they blanked the Texans for the remainder of the game. That was superb.

That was indeed. It takes this team a while to dial in the D. But it makes you nuts in the meantime.

It was clear the front 4 were staying very disciplined with gap integrity and staying home. Watching Dupree (for example) not go crazy up a gap and stay home, trusting the other guys to do their jobs was very impressive.

On the offensive side, apart from Ben still shaking off some rust - the O-Line was simply crushing today. Huge holes, great protection - they wore down the Texans and dominated the 4th quarter. Conner certainly took advantage and had a fantastic performance. Snell contributed and didn't fumble. Claypool is learning fast and growing. Close call with the fumble. Ebron broke out and shows he can be a real threat. His TD grab was top shelf good.

One of my hopeful misses/predictions. Ebron looked like he could really be an asset today.

Only the most cynical and jaded Steeler fans could find much to complain about this game. The team is a SOLID 3-0. The Titans will be a good test as well, but while I'd be satisfied finishing sept at 3-1 - there's no reason why this team can't finish the month at 4-0.

Agreed.

Still work to be done to be sure - but the football gods blessed this team with an opening month schedule that really has allowed them to not only win - but do so while allowing the team to learn to gel again with the return of Ben.

Ben is still better than 25 other QBs.

It was a really fun game to watch today. BTW, bill O’Brien is in my view, one of the dirtbag coaches in the NFL. To see him at 0-3 is spectacular.

Isn't he always 0-3, or 0-4?

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/htx/index.htm

Not rubbish. But it seems that moron Bill O wrecked it. They gave us a game. Of course.

[Oviedo]

https://www.pro-football-reference.c.../htx/index.htm

Not rubbish. But it seems that moron Bill O wrecked it. They gave us a game. Of course.

As a Penn State fan, the happiest day was when O'Brien left Penn State. How he keeps a freaking job is beyond me. He has ruined the Texans.

[NorthCoast]

I understand nobody likes heart palpations for 3 hrs on a Sunday. And not to sound like a broken record, but the NFL is a tough league to win in.

Case in point seven out of the 15 games played this weekend were in the balance in the 4th quarter. Here is a sample of what happened:

CHI vs ATL; ATL blows yet another big lead and CHI takes the lead with 2:06 remaining; 30-26

LAR vs BUF: back and forth game that probably should not have been this close if you are a BUF fan; BUF takes lead with 4:15 left; 35-32

TEN vs MIN: Vikes have a 5 pt lead at the end of the 3rd qtr; guess what? is doesn't hold up after allowing TEN a couple of FGs taking the lead at 1:58 left; 31-30

DET vs AZ: Lions kick game-winning FG as time expires; 26-23

DAL vs SEA: this was a really fun game to watch, I hate Pete Carroll but hate Jerrah Jones even more; back and forth all night; SEA takes lead with 2:12 left; 38-31

GB vs NOR: another fun game with two HOF QBs; GB up by 10 with about 4 min left; NOR kicks a FG with 1:28 left to pull within 7 but don't recover the onsides; 37-30 Packers

The point is every game is different. Every team is scratching for a win especially this early in the season. The Steelers have a sound defense but still finding their stride on offense. I said before the season started, it will take 4 games before we know what their identity on offense is. So far, it looks like they are trying to keep a balanced run/pass game. But like Tomlin says, that can change week to week depending on circumstances (which is a great thing to hear).

[Eich]

Even though Conner got the bulk of the load, it was nice to see a bit more of a running back by committee. Conner, Snell, McFarland. They all looked good. And no fumbles this week!

Love McCloud on returns.

Juju didn't look hampered by his knee, whatever he's dealing with.

[BURGH86STEEL]

I understand nobody likes heart palpations for 3 hrs on a Sunday. And not to sound like a broken record, but the NFL is a tough league to win in.

Case in point seven out of the 15 games played this weekend were in the balance in the 4th quarter. Here is a sample of what happened:

CHI vs ATL; ATL blows yet another big lead and CHI takes the lead with 2:06 remaining; 30-26

LAR vs BUF: back and forth game that probably should not have been this close if you are a BUF fan; BUF takes lead with 4:15 left; 35-32

TEN vs MIN: Vikes have a 5 pt lead at the end of the 3rd qtr; guess what? is doesn't hold up after allowing TEN a couple of FGs taking the lead at 1:58 left; 31-30

DET vs AZ: Lions kick game-winning FG as time expires; 26-23

DAL vs SEA: this was a really fun game to watch, I hate Pete Carroll but hate Jerrah Jones even more; back and forth all night; SEA takes lead with 2:12 left; 38-31

GB vs NOR: another fun game with two HOF QBs; GB up by 10 with about 4 min left; NOR kicks a FG with 1:28 left to pull within 7 but don't recover the onsides; 37-30 Packers

The point is every game is different. Every team is scratching for a win especially this early in the season. The Steelers have a sound defense but still finding their stride on offense. I said before the season started, it will take 4 games before we know what their identity on offense is. So far, it looks like they are trying to keep a balanced run/pass game. But like Tomlin says, that can change week to week depending on circumstances (which is a great thing to hear).

There are no easy wins in the NFL regardless of a team's records or fans perceptions of teams.

[feltdizz]

There are no easy wins in the NFL regardless of a team's records or fans perceptions of teams.

True indeed.

[feltdizz]

I understand nobody likes heart palpations for 3 hrs on a Sunday. And not to sound like a broken record, but the NFL is a tough league to win in.

Case in point seven out of the 15 games played this weekend were in the balance in the 4th quarter. Here is a sample of what happened:

CHI vs ATL; ATL blows yet another big lead and CHI takes the lead with 2:06 remaining; 30-26

LAR vs BUF: back and forth game that probably should not have been this close if you are a BUF fan; BUF takes lead with 4:15 left; 35-32

TEN vs MIN: Vikes have a 5 pt lead at the end of the 3rd qtr; guess what? is doesn't hold up after allowing TEN a couple of FGs taking the lead at 1:58 left; 31-30

DET vs AZ: Lions kick game-winning FG as time expires; 26-23

DAL vs SEA: this was a really fun game to watch, I hate Pete Carroll but hate Jerrah Jones even more; back and forth all night; SEA takes lead with 2:12 left; 38-31

GB vs NOR: another fun game with two HOF QBs; GB up by 10 with about 4 min left; NOR kicks a FG with 1:28 left to pull within 7 but don't recover the onsides; 37-30 Packers

The point is every game is different. Every team is scratching for a win especially this early in the season. The Steelers have a sound defense but still finding their stride on offense. I said before the season started, it will take 4 games before we know what their identity on offense is. So far, it looks like they are trying to keep a balanced run/pass game. But like Tomlin says, that can change week to week depending on circumstances (which is a great thing to hear).

The Bills got a shady PI call on 4th down at the end of the game. It’s crazy how announcers can see one thing and then after the ref in the studio agrees with the call they “see it” the other way.

[Northern_Blitz]

There are no easy wins in the NFL regardless of a team's records or fans perceptions of teams.

This. And all wins count the same.

[feltdizz]

I thought we were lucky to not have a turnover today. Just inches from the pylon. Connor should have stayed inbounds after a long run with about 4 minutes to go. Fortunately we were able to run out the clock otherwise.

I wonder what we were on 4th downs today. Seems like we converted maybe 3 or 4 on 4th and short. Tomlin was aggressive in this regard today all except for the first one when we kicked the FG to go up 3-0.

I love the run defense. Im guessing we are probably #1 in run defense at this point.

We are leading the AFC North. Excellent!

yes. That was close. Really have to get these guys to understand ball security is more important than scoring. Especially at that point in the game.

but sometimes luck is needed.

seems like an eternity since we didn’t have a turnover in a game.

[KYPITTFAN]

I am concerned about the defensive back and the coverage. That being said they were for the most part playing zone defense so that they could keep eyes on a very mobile QB. That will sometimes yield pass wards in large amounts. My issue is allowing the TD's. When playing zone it has to be a bend but not break defense. First half was ugly. I do like the second half adjustments.

[feltdizz]

Our opponents so far are 0-9. Lmao